Crescent-News.com - GMC: As tough as it ever was

By KEVIN EIS

cnsports@crescent-news.com

Can Tinora three-peat as Green Meadows Conference champs? Will Fairview's run-and-gun offense prove to be too much of a force for its league rivals? How will always-rugged Ayersville, Antwerp and Wayne Trace figure into this season's mix? Have Hicksville and Edgerton found the formula to rise from under the radar to the top of the league? And what can Holgate do to overcome the odds?

Some big answers to some even bigger questions will begin to unfold tomorrow night as the eight teams of the GMC pair off to open league play after wrapping up the non-conference portion of the 2008 schedule.

When it comes to rivalries, all eyes will be focused on Tinora'a Coressel Stadium as the Rams (1-2) host the Fairview Apaches (2-1) in what is sure to be a slugfest from start to finish. Tinora enters the matchup after getting its first win via a decisive 49-7 win over Otsego while the Apaches lost to Archbold by a slim margin, 18-12.

After playing each other in Week 10 the past two years to determine a league champion and again in Week 11 last year, how do the coaches feel about the rotation of the schedule and facing what may be their toughest league challenge right off the bat?

"It's different having to play right off the bat," admitted Fairview first-year head coach David Robinson. "I think both of us come off of a pretty difficult non-league schedule and then right into league play. If you win this one it could put you in a good position for an opportunity to win the league. If you lose this one, you're going to have to pretty much count on somebody to give you some help along the way."

"You play the cards you have been dealt, and it just so happens it's Fairview," commented Tinora head coach Kenny Krouse. "It's like anybody else in your conference. You've got to come out and be ready to play. I would be lying if I said the game doesn't have high stakes because it does just because of who your opponent is and the quality program Dave's got over there."

High stakes with a bit of history.

The Rams earned a share of the league crown and a playoff spot in week 10 of 2006 with a 19-18 win over the Apaches followed by a subsequent 38-20 triumph over the black-and-gold to win an outright league crown last season, again in the last game of the regular season. This set up a rematch the next week in the opening round of the D-V Region 18 playoffs which Tinora won, 45-42, on a game-winning field goal by Ethan McKenney.

"For our seniors it's a pride thing," noted Robinson. "They've never beaten Tinora. They're extremely focused on doing whatever they have to do to give themselves an opportunity to get this win on Friday night."

Elsewhere in the GMC, Hicksville will take an undefeated 3-0 record on the road to face Antwerp (2-1).

Despite not being at the helm of the Aces for last season's 47-7 loss to the Archers, first-year Hicksville mentor Lucas Smith feels his team has something to prove after a disappointing 2-5 league record last year.

"It feels good to ride this momentum into conference play," he said. "We start with Antwerp right away who had a good season last year and beat up on Hicksville a little bit, so we're looking for a little redemption.

"Some people are saying we still haven't played anybody who has a winning record yet this year," he added. "So we want to come out this year and show that we're actually a pretty good team."

When asked about facing a Hicksville squad with a new attitude for 2008, Antwerp mentor Drew Altimus stated, "It's a lot different. Usually we're facing Hicksville at the end of the year when it's raining, snowing, sleeting. Early in the year, it's a different take on the Hicksville-Antwerp rivalry."

Another matchup in the Green Meadows Conference tomorrow night has Ayersville (2-1) kicking off GMC competition at home against Holgate at "The Landing Strip."

The Pilots are led by 271.3 yards of rushing per game by senior Anthony King while running back Josiah Buttermore has proven a bright spot for Holgate with 63 rushes for 309 yards for 4.9 yards per carry.

Last but not least, undefeated Edgerton (3-0) will travel to Wayne Trace to do battle with the Raiders (1-2). Edgerton is led by quarterback Jeff Crowe in passing and rushing. Crowe has 817 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing for 196 yards and three scores on 27 carries.

Wayne Trace is led by Tevin Hale with 187 yards rushing on 40 attempts.