Talk about impressive...
WEEK 2 FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
*Marion-Franklin at Pickerington Central (Game of the Week)
As both Pickerington Central and Marion-Franklin can attest, there’s a
reason opening week of high school football is known as much for its
missteps as it is for signaling that a new season has begun.
In their respective openers, the Tigers and Red Devils each had areas
of weakness exposed while also experiencing some of the positives that
have been associated with their tradition-rich programs.
On Friday, Aug. 31, both teams will attempt to prove that they remain
on track for another season filled with championships when Central
plays host to Marion-Franklin. Click here for complete Preview
*Westerville Central at New Albany
The Westerville Central High School football team has caught the attention of New Albany coach Mark Mueller. Click here for complete Preview
*Westerville North at Grove City
Grove City coach Matt Jordan saw some positives in his team's 26-14
loss to Hilliard Davidson on Aug. 24. But he also said his team made
numerous mistakes against the Wildcats, who were a Division I regional
runner-up last season.
"We didn't play up to our potential and then we let some
opportunities slip through our fingers," Jordan said. "We had
opportunities to block two punts and we were unable to do that. We
turned the ball over after making Davidson go three-and-out twice in the
second half. We had an opportunity to score to go ahead and we were
unable to capitalize. We were unable to finish in the fourth quarter
down in the red zone twice. If we capitalize on any of those moments, we
win that football game." Click here for complete Preview
*Kilbourne at Thomas Worthington
Having earned its first victory in the series last season, the Thomas
Worthington High School football team will look to make it two in a row
when it plays host to Worthington Kilbourne on Friday, Aug. 31.
The Wolves lead the all-time series 3-1, but the Cardinals rallied for a 21-20 win in week 10 last year. Click here for complete Preview
*Elder at Upper Arlington
Upper Arlington High School football coach Mike Golden knows his team
faces a stern test when it plays host to Cincinnati Elder on Friday,
Aug. 31.
The contest marks the first meeting between the teams since 1969.
"They're a real strong program," Golden said. "They have good size
and decent speed. They're a good, strong, solid football team all the
way around." Click here for complete Preview
*Findlay at Reynoldsburg
The Reynoldsburg High School football team enters its game against
visiting Findlay on Friday, Aug. 31, already possessing a win over an
opponent it expects to contend for the playoffs and faith in its depth.
In their Aug. 24 opener against visiting New Albany, the Raiders used
a running-back-by-committee approach, a 47-yard touchdown pass to Mykel
Traylor-Bennett and a big-play defense to win 10-9 in the
ThisWeekSPORTS.com Game of the Week. Click here for complete Preview
*Princeton at Pickerington North
The Pickerington High School North football team will face an
unfamiliar offense when it goes against Cincinnati Princeton's triple
option on Friday, Aug. 31, in its home opener.
However, the Panthers had to stop a shifty running game during their
50-22 win over St. Charles on Aug. 24, and that's the approach coach Tom
Phillips planned to use in preparing a defense more accustomed to
battling pro-style and spread offenses for what it will take to keep
Princeton's offense in check. Click here for complete Preview
*Northmont at Westerville South
Nick Renzetti will throw the ball deep to speedy receivers Bell and
Brown to try to connect for big plays. By stretching Northmont's defense
with long passes, South also hopes to set up its running game, with
Prentiss leading the way.
The Thunderbolts' offense will try to keep South's defense off
balance with a balanced attack. Belton has thrown for 4,160 yards and 32
touchdowns during his prep career, and the senior's primary targets are
Lowery and Williams. Kenerly is a threat to break long runs if South
commits too many players to its secondary. Click here for complete Preview
*Watterson at Hamilton
Although Watterson and Hamilton never have met on the field, a
reunion of sorts will occur Friday, Aug. 31, when the Eagles visit the
Big Blue.
Hamilton is coached by Bob Jacoby, who led DeSales to a 168-68 record
with two state championships and four state runner-up finishes from
1988-2006. While he was at DeSales, the Stallions went 8-15 against
Watterson, including losing the last nine. Click here for complete Preview
