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Northmont-Wayne: What’s at stake
Things looked more promising for both Northmont and Wayne midway through their Week 2 games.
At that time, Northmont was 1-0 and was leading Cleveland St. Ignatius. Wayne, meanwhile, was on its way to a victory against Canton McKinley.
But things haven’t totally gone as planned. Northmont lost that St. Ignatius game 27-20 and, in the process, lost starting quarterback Robert Sakosky to a concussion. The next week, the Thunderbolts dropped a 17-7 decision to Westerville South to drop to 1-2.
Wayne came home from that victory against Canton McKinley at 2-0 and with plenty of optimism. Then Cleveland Glenville came to town and dropped the Warriors 57-28.
They eked out a win against a tough Trotwood-Madison team in Week 4 before losing a stunner against Troy 14-12 without star junior quarterback Braxton Miller, who was suffering from a thigh bruise.
So here we are, in Week 6 and with Northmont and Wayne both 3-2 heading into their matchup Friday night in Huber Heights.
Both, though, are standing firm in the computer points, with Wayne at No. 11 and Northmont tied with Lebanon at No. 9. Their schedules line up for plenty of second-level points if they win, as well. Northmont’s remaining opponents have a combined 17-8 record, and Wayne will also play teams with a combined 17-8 record.
It’s almost unfair that one of these two will be 3-3 after Friday. Both did what you like as competitors, scheduling difficult opponents in the non-conference part of the schedule to build their players up for the conference run.
But has it cost them too much?
The winner, of course, will get extra confidence heading into a tough second-half schedule. And that winner will likely be determined heavily by quarterback play.
Sakosky returned for Northmont last week and helped the Thunderbolts to a decisive 44-14 victory against Fairborn, which entered the game 3-1 and playing impressive defense. Backup Tyler Kerlin also aided that Fairborn effort and led Northmont to its victory against Xenia, but coach Lance Schneider said Sakosky provides an extra dimension of throwing attack.
Wayne will rely heavily on Miller’s availability. If he’s healthy and can play, the Warriors stand a good chance against Northmont’s tough defense. If he can’t play, freshman Javon Harrison will be playing quarterback, and a freshman would face tough challenges in this emotional matchup.
Bottom line, the winner gets a big boost. The loser will be .500 after six games.
This is a major test for both.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Football
Comments
By Kevin
September 29, 2009 8:00 PM | Link to this
Can`t post my comment? Too real for the DDN? Figures…Oh well, no more Hal anyway, why would I buy this rag.By get real
September 30, 2009 1:18 PM | Link to this
Time to forget about Wayne and N’Mont making any noise in the playoffs this year. C’ville should make it, but will get ousted in the 1st roung again. The best teams in Dayton are in the lower divisions.By like who?
September 30, 2009 4:37 PM | Link to this
the only good team in lower divisions is Alter.