Who: Orrville Red Riders (2-1, 0-0) vs. Lexington Minutemen (3-0, 0-0)
Where: Lexington Stadium (click here for map & directions)
When: Friday September 17th, 7:00pm
All Time Series: Orrville leads 6-5. (Click here for detail)
Last Meeting: 2009 (Orrville won 41-21)
Last Week: Orrville lost to Copley 34-33 (2 OT), Lexington beat North Canton Hoover 10-7.
Coaches: BJ Payne is in his 5th season as Minutemen head coach, his overall record is 30-15. Doug Davault is also in his 5th season for Orrville, with an overall record of 34-15.
Radio: The game will be streaming on WMFD.com. Click here for their schedule page and also for a link to the game. It also appears that if you have a smart phone (Droid, Blackberry or iPhone), you can download the WMFD app and listen to the game that way too.
Gonna make this one a quickie this week. I'm under the weather and not feeling like writing a whole lot.
Two big questions going into this one.
1. Will Lexington's QB play (or even dress)?
Collin Michael, Lexington's junior QB and successor to the graduated (and current Michigan Wolverine) Courtney Avery, was injured in the first half of last Friday's win over North Canton Hoover. Coach BJ Payne uttered the three initials that no fan or player wants to hear. A-C-L. The mere fact that he had an MRI says that it's doubtful he suits up....but I've read nor heard anything official.
If he doesn't play, it changes Lexington's approach, but not their ability. They still boast a core of talented players including TE Tanner Kearns, DB/WR Troy Wolf, RB/DB Derek Gallik and WR/DB AJ Beddow.
They may have an element of surprise and it may be up to Orrville's defense to adapt on the fly.
2. How will Orrville react after the Copley loss?
It was a tough loss, but one that offered plenty of lessons to learn. We ran the ball well and moved the ball well between the 30 yard lines. Our defense played well and didn't surrender many big plays. It was hopefully a game that, after some inital disappointment, we can walk away with our head held high. The Orrville Red Riders were their own worst enemy in week 3, not the Copley Indians.
Will they correct what needs corrected and go out and right the ship, or allow more questions to surface?
Ok, one more....Can Orrville play a turnover-free game?
Twelve turnovers through 3 games. Can't keep giving teams the ball, sometimes with a short field, and expect to keep overcoming it week after week.
Thoughts & Predictions
Drew Pastuer (College of Wooster prof) is back in the prediction game, and says Lexington by 1.
CalPreps.com says Orrville by two, 26-24.
I'm guessing the Wooster Daily Record splits the vote....and maybe even gives Lex the slight nod.
Everyone agrees that this is going to be a tight game. There's too much talent and pride on the field for it to be a blowout in either direction.
If Orville can run for 200+ yards and take care of the football, it will go a long way towards securing their 3rd win. Senior Tre Simpson is coming off a career high 178 rushing yards. Would love to see him, Mason Monheim, Stewart Turner and Matt Davis all have big rushing nights.
We've got the ability to win this game, but can't let Lexington get on a roll and full of confidence. Lexington feels disrespected by being picked 4th in the OCC and will look to make a statement in the opening week of league play.
2 comments:
Coach Doug DeVault, is that the same guy I played freshman FB with at Orrville HS in 1973 (Doug was quarterback)? Freshman coach was Fred Blosser and the varsity coach was Mo Tipton.
Mr. Ross,
Yes, it's the same person. Coach DaVault is the dean of students at the high school and has been head varsity coach since 2006.
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