Thu Sep 02 2010
By JASON STEIN
It's what all the hard work and dedication is for ...
It's what gets an athlete through the hot, summer practices ...
It's why the coaches watch film and the players listen intently to what their mentors have to say ...
It's time to put up or shut up ...
It's game time.
After weeks and weeks of preparation, the football season is upon us. While some schools open up tonight, most will take to the gridiron Friday for a highly-anticipated 2009 campaign.
In a quartet of games - Liberty Center and Tinora, Wauseon and Fairview, Archbold and Ayersville and Montpelier and Hicksville - teams from the NWOAL and the GMC rekindle their opening-game rivalries after a 2-2 split last year at the NWOAL sites.
While some personnel has changed and the games are shifting over to the GMC schools' facilities, the action will be just as intense and hard-hitting as it was last year.
The Tigers, Blue Streaks and Apaches all won last year's openers and used the victories as springboards into the playoffs, while the Aces, who also won, came up just short of the post season.
Liberty Center at Tinora
The win column shows a 14-2 Liberty Center edge the last 16 years, the last Tinora win coming in 2002.
"The thing we've reminded the kids is that the series isn't playing Friday night, it's '09," said Tinora's head coach Kenny Krouse, entering his 12th year at the helm.
LC coach Rex Lingruen is just two wins from 200 in his career.
"It's been a pretty good rivalry," said Lingruen. "I think we've actually been pretty fortunate the past couple of games. Turnovers I thought played a big part. We were fortunate enough that we were able to capitalize on some turnovers, especially the last game. The thing is, I think this may be one of the best teams that we've seen from them since we've faced them."
Last year, LC running back Jake Elling scored three times, including an early touchdown shortly after an early Tinora turnover, the first of three by the Rams.
"Obviously some of the obstacles that we've had in the past few years is our mistakes," pointed out Krouse. "Real good football teams are going to capitalize on mistakes you make, especially in your own territory, so we have to limit that.
"You're playing one of the best in the NWOAL and you know what you're going to get when you play against a Rex Lingruen coached football team. The quality is always going to be very good."
Concluded Lingruen: "Every year is a different story. The big thing is it's developed into a pretty decent rivalry and it's a game that we know and they know, you hate to say it's a must game but there are quite a bit of computer points on the line here in the long run. So whoever wins this game has a good upper hand."
Wauseon at Fairview
What had been a back-and-forth battle for a few years, alternating from 2002-05, has become a one-sided affair of late.
The Apaches and their explosive offense have won the last three years, outscoring the Indians 138-58. Fairview now seeks a fourth straight.
"I think in the past our quarterbacks and receivers, our offense, had been hitting on all cylinders early," long-time Apache assistant and second-year head coach David Robinson pointed to about the success. "Defense is hard to play anyhow and early in the season when the offense has that kind of an advantage I think that's been one of our keys. Unfortunately we're not clicking like that right now, so that's a concern of mine."
Wauseon veteran coach Mark Emans also pointed to the early-season meeting as making it difficult on his team's defense.
"There's only so many different things you can scheme against an attack like that," explained Emans. "They're very versatile and if you drop out in zone, they're going to run the jailbreak screens and the draws. if you try to man up, they're going to hurt you in some different areas with the quarterback running the ball. They've got such a different type of offense that it's very difficult to do it just week one. If we had it week five, six or seven with some games under our belt it might be a little easier."
Fairview put up 505 yards in last year's contest, 412 through the air, but Wauseon's offense nearly matched the yardage with 480 yards with it's trademark punishing attack.
"I think our offense is a little ahead of the defense," noted Emans. "We're still trying to get these young sophomores that are going to play their first varsity experience comfortable. I think we're faster than we were defensively last year but I don't know if we're as physical. The jury is still out and we'll find out Friday night exactly how much better our defense has gotten."
The Apaches, which lost potential starting quarterback Luke Kuhn early in the summer are expected to be without linemen Tyler Merillat and Greg McCullough.
Archbold at Ayersville
When Archbold makes the trek to the Landing Strip for its fourth annual opening week tilt against Ayersville, there will be two noticeable absences, one on each sideline.
John Downey will no longer be roaming the sidelines for the Streaks as the Bryan Miller era is set to kick off. Meanwhiler the Pilots are withut Anthony King, one of the area's most prolific runners.
"It's a great measuring stick and you look for every aspect of the game," said Dales, whose team lost to the Streaks 38-20 a year ago. "Archbold has traditionally had a very good football program. They're in a very, very good league and we have a lot of respect for them and all their coaches. It's going to measure us in every aspect, offense, defense and special teams.
"If we can compete and do the things that we need to do to beat Archbold and be right there to beat Archbold, then we feel we have a half fighting chance to be in the top of our league, being successful and our ultimate goal of getting back in the playoffs."
Miller will also look to this game as a "measuring stick" and, understandably, is ready for the season to get underway.
"I think the best thing about playing Ayersville is they're just very well coached," said Miller. "Coach Dales does an excellent job so you know they're always going to be a good measuring stick for you when you play them just because they're very disciplined and do the little things right. They don't make a lot of mistakes, so year in and year out you know they're going to be a tough game."
A new coach on the other sidelines will not be a huge factor according to Dales.
"John hasn't coached the offensive or defensive side of the ball in a couple years," noted Dales. "He's let his assistants do that and one of his assistants took over. They're doing a lot of the same things with some new wrinkles. It could be different with an outsider, but not in this situation."
Montpelier at Hicksville
Since 1989, Montpelier and Hicksville have squared off to open the season. In a three game span, from 2005-2007, the Locomotives steam-rolled the Aces to the tune of 129-7. But Lucas Smith and his Aces quickly and emphatically put an end to that run by blanking Montpelier 35-0 last season.
"The first game of the season is so important," said Smith. "It's either going to start you out on a positive note or its going to be kind of hard to recover from, especially with the way the playoff system is in Ohio. Every game matters and if you lose one game, it can kind of throw your season off, especially if it's that first game."
The last three times the Aces won the opener, they have gone on to winning seasons, including playoff appearances in 2003 and 2004.
Montpelier enters the game with a new head coach in Adam Baumgartner.
""It doesn't necessarily change our philosophy at all," pointed out Smith. "We can't control anything about Montpelier, how good they are or what their offense and defense is going to try and do, all we can do is take care of Hicksville and make sure we do all the little things right. But on the same hand you have to throw last year's scouting report and film out the window because they're not going to run the same offense and the same defense."
Hicksville pounded out four rushing touchdowns and the Aces defense did its job in shutting down the Locos last year.
"We're looking pretty good right now, we're healthy and we've got good numbers," said Smith, who has 53 players ready for action. "We had a great off-season in the weight room, we've had a good preseason here and I guess I'm interested and so are the kids and the community on if we can do what we did last year knowing that we're not going to sneak up on anybody. This has been kind of an exciting week for us so far and we're ready for Friday night."
Wayne Trace at Paulding
Fresh off its first winning season in years, the Paulding Panthers (6-4 in 2008) renew their county rivalry with Wayne Trace, a team that won three games a season ago. Bill Speller's Wayne Trace squad had won four straight meetings (2003-2006) before losing by a combined 72 points the past two seasons former Raider player and coach Chris Etzler, who took over in 2007.
Antwerp at Edon
Antwerp makes the journey to Edon where the Archers look to put another victory in the win column over the Bombers after coming from behind to win 21-13 last season. Both squads will feature new quarterbacks.
Holgate at North Baltimore
The James Wagner era begins for Holgate and with an increase in numbers and the kids working hard, the purple and yellow Tigers set out to pick up win No.1 on the road. Last season's opening-night 12-point loss to North Baltimore was the closest game all season for Holgate, which jumped in front 14-0 before falling, 26-14.
Edgerton at Hilltop
A more experienced Edgerton squad is ready to continue the improving trend for the Bulldogs as Kevin Kline's squad opens against a Hilltop squad which made the playoffs last season. Edgerton won last year's game by 28.
Leipsic at Patrick Henry
The Patriots, seeking an eighth straight season in the playoffs, welcome in former Patriot Joe Kirkendall and his Leipsic squad. PH has won six straight and 13 of 14 over the Vikings, including 34-14 a year ago.
Van Wert at Bryan
Former Defiance High School assistants Bob Priest and Travis Cooper enter their second year at their respective schools. Last year Bryan scored the only points of the second half for a three-point win.
O-G at Fostoria
O-G begins its push for another playoff appearance with a trip to face a Fostoria squad that won 10 games last season. Ken Schriner will find out quickly how well his Titans filled the holes left by the graduation of 16 starters. Fostoria is led by first-year head coach, Beau Carmon.
Otsego at Evergreen
Evergreen has replaced Van Buren with Otsego for the season opener. Evergreen was 4-6 last year while Otsego won just one game.
Swanton at Lake
With PH and Wauseon up the next two weeks, Swanton is looking to get some momentum. One of Lake's three wins last year was 27-7 over Swanton.
Toledo Christian at Delta
Delta plays host to a new first week opponent as the Panthers dropped winless Rossford to pick up Toledo Christian team from the TAAC. This will also mark the first game for Delta's new head coach Nate Ruple.
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