Martinsville, Oblong lock horns in a battle to claim first win of season
Seven area high school football teams are in action today, while one team is to play Saturday. Four of the games involve teams that are undefeated, including two in the Okaw Valley Conference.
Shelbyville, a team that has dropped its last two games, tries to get back on the winning track as they travel to Moweaqua to face undefeated Central A&M. Sullivan-Okaw Valley is to travel to Maroa to face the No. 3 ranked team in Class 2A, Maroa-Forsyth.
No. 4 ranked Casey-Westfield attempts to remain undefeated as it plays host to Edwards County (0-4) in a Little Illini Conference game. Also in the LIC, undefeated Cumberland, No. 8, is to travel to Flora, a team that is 2-2. Winless teams Martinsville and Oblong lock horns at Oblong.
In the Little Okaw Valley Conference, Arthur-Lovington, 3-1, goes for its fourth straight win as it is to travel to Atwood to face South Piatt, a team that is 2-2. Tri-County is to play Sangamon Valley at Oakland in a battle of 2-2 teams.
In the only non-conference game Arcola is to play host to West Central, a team that is 1-3. The game is set for 1:30 p.m. All other games are to start at 7 p.m.
Arthur-Lovington (3-1, 3-1) vs. South Piatt (2-2, 2-2) at Atwood
The Knights face another option oriented team in South Piatt, a team that nearly handed Villa Grove its first loss of the season last Friday, falling 21-20.
"We are going to see a pretty good option game," said Arthur coach Dale Schuring. "Against Cerro Gordo they wanted to keep the ball with quarterback Joe Shay and last week Tri-County's Ryan Leonetti did a very good job. They (Tri-County) were more fullback oriented. I think South Piatt is more pitch oriented. They also run the play action pretty well."
Mitch Fleming had nine carries for 94 yards last week and scoring on an 86-yard kickoff return for the Wildcats.
The other thing that is a concern for Schuring is the personnel.
"Up front they can play with an extremely large line or a smaller, quicker line," said Schuring. "I expect a smaller line against us. If they take the large line and bull rush us we could struggle. They may change it up."
Arthur is led by the duo of quarterback Jake Yoder, a 6-foot, 160-pound junior and classmate Kody Smith, a 6-0, 155-pound receiver. Nineteen of Yoder's 45 pass completions have been to Smith for 370 yards and four touchdowns.
"Offensively, we have been getting better each week," said Schuring. "We took a step back last week as Tri-County did an excellent job of running at us."
As for the keys to the game Schuring said, "Defensively, we have to do a better job of tackling and offensively we have to utilize our speed. That is the one thing we seem to have an advantage in and we need to make other teams chase us."
Sangamon Valley (2-2, 2-2) vs. Tri-County (2-2, 2-2) at Oakland
It is Homecoming for the Titans, but it is also the first game without senior quarterback Ryan Leonetti, who suffered a broken ankle in the first half their 49-16 loss to Arthur-Lovington.
"We will do the best with what we have," said Tri-County coach Jim Eastin. "There is nothing we can do about it. It is not the end of the season. Just because we have one kid hurt, we don't throw in the towel. That being said, he is one kid we can't replace. He was the leader for us."
Sangamon Valley, a Class 3A playoff team last year, and a team that was picked third in the LOVC in the preseason, won its last game 49-20 over Cerro Gordo-Deland-Weldon. The Storm started off the season with a 42-21 victory over winless Blue Ridge before suffering losses to Tuscola (40-7) and Arcola (33-27).
"They are a very good team," said Eastin. "They returned a lot of kids that took them to the playoffs last year (finished 6-4). They are in the same boat that we are, 2-2."
Sangamon Valley is led by sophomore tailback Ross Johnson, who had 18 carries for 230 yards and five touchdowns last Friday.
"He is pretty impressive," said Eastin.
Defensively, Sangamon Valley coach Michael Lee was pleased with last week's performance.
"They are a solid defensive team," said Eastin. "They don't have a standout kid."
Tri-County's sophomore running back Andrew McGregor had 107 yards rushing last week.
"Our line has been our strength so far," said Eastin. "We get after people and stay after them. Our season is not over. Hopefully the kids understand that."
Cumberland (4-0, 4-0, No. 8) at Flora (2-2, 2-2)
The Pirates, off to their best start ever, have a tough game against a Flora squad that lost to No. 4 ranked Casey-Westfield 20-14 two weeks ago.
"Offensively, they are probably the biggest challenge for us so far," said Cumberland coach Todd Butler. "They run a Wing ‘T" and the offense is based around a lot of deception of the ball."
Flora is led by 6-2, 190 pound senior running back Warren Militello, who gained 136 yards in last Friday's 33-26 win over Martinsville. Louisiana transfer Darriel Duffina was held to 15 yards last week. Quarterback Stephen Putbrese is a 6-0, 200 pound junior.
"They have good running backs and a quarterback who can run and throw," said Butler. "It appears on film they have a decent line with some size. There backs run well. Duffina is a quick and powerful runner. Militello is fast. They can be a very balanced team with speed and size up front."
Cumberland ate up 30 minutes of the clock in their 21-7 win over Lawrenceville last Friday, running 82 plays.
"Defensively, they run a four and five man front and are pretty athletic all the way around," said Butler. "Defense is the key this week. Our defense played real well last week. We have to have good vision and find the ball because their fakes are outstanding. We have to handle the run and stop the pass."
Edwards County (0-4, 0-4) at Casey-Westfield (4-0, 4-0, No. 4)
Edwards County features a big line with four players between 6-1 and 6-3 and weighing between 250 and 300 pounds.
The Lions, who lost 15 players from last year's team, were shutout its first two games of the season, falling to Flora in the opener in triple overtime, 6-0. Edwards County averages just six points per game.
Sophomore Ben Kinsey (5-11, 155) is the quarterback for Edwards County.
"Kinsey is a very gifted young man with great running and throwing potential," said Casey coach Keith Sinclair. "The offense employs size and the backfield has speed to overpower opponents. Defensively, the lions are a very aggressive group with multiple linebacker blitzes most of the time."
The Warriors, who have won 19 regular season games in a row, have running backs Aaron Warner and Daniel Moore leading their offense, one that averages 41 points per contest.
"Time and a lack of allowing penetration will be a key in this game offensively, while stopping the spread running and passing game is the key on defense," said Sinclair.
Kinzie is also the Lions punter, averaging 46 yards per boot.
"Good field position off our specialty teams must come from well executed returns," said Sinclair.
Martinsville (0-4, 0-4) at Oblong (0-4, 0-4)
The Bluestreaks played Flora, a team that is 2-2, tough last week, only losing 33-26. Oblong enters the game having lost 27 straight games, while Martinsville has lost seven straight games.
Martinsville trailed just 14-12 in the third quarter to the Wolves before Flora put two quick scored on the board.
"I feel like we are ready for Oblong," said Martinsville coach Rick Hilderbrandt. "We executed pretty well against Flora. We gave them more than they wanted."
The Bluestreaks scored with six minutes left and recovered an onside kick, scoring later on the drive to account for the final margin of seven. Martinsville is quarterbacked by sophomore Harry Downey, who has played the last three games. The first week starter Matt Higginbotham was injured against Casey. He is back now as a receiver.
Martinsville's defense held Flora transfer Darriel Duffina to 15 yards on nine carries.
Oblong is led by junior Shane Pica, a 5-11, 225-pounder.
"He is incredible," said Hilderbrandt. "The kid is a horse and he is going to be a problem. He is going to be a load. Their quarterback (Landon Littlejohn) can throw and he moves pretty well. They don't quit. They keep firing."
Hilderbrandt said the keys to winning on Oblong's Homecoming game are, "Defensively we have to stop Pica and get early hits on him before he gets going. We have to contain the quarterback and keep him from rolling out. Offensively, we have to spread the field. They are bigger than us. We may throw a little more than we have, maybe 50 percent of the plays."
