Week 7 Preview - Orrville at Ashland

Note: I apologize to my email subscribers who wont be reading this until Saturday morning (after the game has been played). Been very busy lately and just did not have time to get this posted.

Who: Orrville Red Riders (1-5, 0-3 in OCC) at Ashland Arrows (3-3, 1-2 in OCC)

When: Friday October 7th

Where: Community Stadium in Ashland

Series: Ashland leads 13-8, there was 1 tie.

Last Year: Ashland won 14-0

Last Week: Orrville lost West Holmes 41-0, Ashland lost Mansfield Senior 29-15

Radio/TV: Ashland's 1340 AM will broadcast the game.  Click here.

Coaches: Orrville's Doug Davault is 51-28 in his 7th season, Ashland's Scott Valentine is 84-37 in his 11th season with the Arrows

Both teams come into this game in uncharted waters, Ashland has lost 2 straight OCC games for the first time since 2008, and Orrville's 5 straight losses are the most consecutive losses since 2002 when they lost 7 in a row.

Beating the Arrows is something that hasn't come easy for the Red Riders, as the Arrows have won 4 of the last 6, but the 2 Rider wins have come at Ashland (in 2006 & 2008).

I've heard rumblings of some different offensive looks from the Riders this week, possibly to emphasize a focus on the run game, and it's probably overdue as the Riders total of 20 points scored in the last 3 weeks just isn't going to win many ball games.  Have to find a way to keep the offense on the field and to score points when we do.  If we struggle again on offense, it's going to be a repeat of the past few weeks where the defense can't get off the field and we wear down late in the game.

Ashland will throw it around the field, providing a good test to our DB's, but also an opportunity to create some turnovers, which we haven't done much this year.

Both teams are currently on the outside looking in at the playoffs right now.  Ashland sits 12th in region 7 while Orrville sits 27th in region 13.  Even if the Riders win out, it probably won't be enough to capture a spot in the top 8, but stranger things have happened.

I don't think the playoffs should even be looked at right now...a lead and a win would be a good starting point...we haven't had either since week 1.

Hoping to see a spark from this team...losing is tough, losing bad is even tougher.  Win or lose, play with Rider Pride and keep fighting.

Go Riders!!