Inside the Huddle
Published 12:00 am Friday, November 3, 2006
Rock Hill (3-1) at Wellston (2-2)
PEDRO — I can do anything you can do.
Two teams who live on the big play collide Friday as the Rock Hill Redmen visit the Wellston Golden Rockets.
The Redmen, sitting 10th in this week’s Division IV Region 15 computer ratings, tangle with the Rockets who face a must-win game if they hope to entertain any postseason hopes.
“They’re a big play team like us. We need to get a couple of big plays and not let them get any,” Rock Hill coach Todd Knipp said.
“We’re just goint to have to execute on offense, maintain our blocks and make some plays. Defensively, we have to play good fundamental football and not let them make big plays.”
Wellston is paced by quarterback Jacob Walburn (5-11, 170) who has rushed 45 times for 205 yards and four touchdowns while completing 24 of 43 passes for 392 yards and three scores. He has been picked three times.
The fullback is Scott Baldwin (6-1, 236) who has carried 47 times for 346 yards and two TDs. Running back Matt Lockard (5-9, 185) is an all-purpose threat with 263 yards rushing on 31 attempts with three scores and he had four receptions for 74 yards and two TDs.
The top receiver is Matt Eberts (5-10, 143) with eight catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Jimmy Littlejohn (5-11, 146) has five grabs for 43 yards.
“They’re skill players are pretty good. The quarterback likes to run and throw it. They have decent size up front and they block well,” Knipp said.
Mount View (2-1) at South Point (1-3)
SOUTH POINT — Set plenty of time aside if you’re going to attend this game.
Both teams like to put the ball in the air.
The Golden Knights, ranked sixth in the West Virginia Class AA poll, are led by quarterback Deontae Baker (6-1, 188) who completed 8 of 9 passes for 245 yards and five touchdowns in a 49-14 win over Ravenswood.
The top receiver is Eric Smith (6-2, 215) who caught five passes for 124 yards and two scores against Ravenswood. The other most notable target is Cory Hale (5-9, 160).
Mount View’s only loss was 21-15 to unbeaten and top-ranked Wayne.
South Point has been rocked by injuries and will need to rely on quarterback Chris Smith who likes to spread the ball around to his receivers.
East (1-3) at Coal Grove (3-1)
COAL GROVE — Its’ rebuilding versus rebounding.
The Portsmouth East Tartans are rebuilding after losing their quarterback from last season and their leading rusher, Arthur Henderson, the Division VI district co-Offensive Player of the Year.
Coal Grove is looking to rebound from two straight losses after opening the season with two wins.
If the Hornets are going to bounce back, the defense will need to slow down running backs Gary Truman (5-10, 154), Dustin Bradford (5-8, 175) and Chase Mault (6-1, 180).
Up front the Tartans are led by Paul Burchett (6-0, 240) and Jeremy Gammon (6-1, 233). Providing size are Tommy Caudill (6-0, 23) and Cody Wright (6-6, 272).
Coal Grove won last year’s meeting 50-26.
Northwest (1-2) at Symmes Valley (1-3)
WILLOW WOOD — Youth will be served.
The Northwest Mohawks lost 17 seniors last season, so the majority of the roster is filled with inexperienced and young players.
The same can be said for the Symmes Valley Vikings who are playing sophomores, freshmen and first-year players in their lineup.
Filling the holes in the backfield for the Mohawks will be running backs Bo Wilson (6-0, 175), Mike Orban (5-6, 165) and Josh Golden (6-0, 170). Orban and Golden will rotate at fullback.
Seven seniors are gone from the offensive line and four from the defensive front.
Senior tackle John Howard (6-0, 245) is the lone returning offensive lineman.
Fairland (0-4) at Meigs (4-0)
PROCTOVILLE — These two teams might be going in opposite directions, but that may not be an indicator toward the outcome.
Last season Meigs was 3-1 and looking to roll past Fairland. Instead, Meigs scored in the final minute of the game to win 34-30.
The Marauders lost starting running back David Poole in the first game, but Cornelius English has stepped in to rush for 573 yards. He had 41 yards in limited action against Oak Hill in the first game but has since rushed for 188, 166 and 178 yards.
The triggerman for Meigs is quarteback AaroN Story and his top receivers are Brad Ransbury and Brandon Fisher.
Fairland is trying to get its offense on track after nearly upsetting Portsmouth West the first game of the season, 35-28. Since that game, the Dragons have bogged down to score only six points.