Announcement
From The GAZETTE by Albert Grindle, Staff Writer
Sole possession of first place in the Patriot Athletic Conference Stars Division, pride and those ever-so sweet bragging rights. Black River at Buckeye has so much riding on the line tonight and my, that’s a sweet thing.
Both teams are playing their best football of the season and are currently 3-1 in the PAC and it’s easy to see why both squads are more excited than a 4year-old on Christmas Eve for kickoff. “It means a lot just from starting slow at first (for a chance) to get the PACchampionship,” Bucks running back Cory Reisner said.
Behind its dynamite running game of quarterback Mike Kelly and running backs Reisner, Ryan McCormick and Shawn Cordes, two-time division champ Buckeye has been rolling since a 14-7 loss to Division III state-ranked Clearview. After spanking Lutheran West 34-18, the Bucks clipped Wellington (28-19) and crushed Columbia (62-21). Over those three games, coach Billy Burke’s unit has averaged 41.3 points and seemingly everything is clicking on the offensive side of the ball.
"We’re pretty confident in our offense,” said Reisner, who has rushed for 948 yards and 13 scores. “We’ve been going into every game thinking that no one can stop us.” The key to Buckeye taking the always hard-hitting rivalry is the trenches. If the Bucks can grind away at Black River’s defense, it could be only a matter of time before someone uncorks a big play.
“It’s what we emphasized in practice all week: stopping the first couple plays, shutting them down and demoralizing them,” two-way lineman Cody Muhek said. “One of the most important things is controlling them, not letting them get the lead and outperforming us in any part of (the game).” Defensively, Buckeye could have its hands full. If it bottles up hard-nosed Pirates running back Matt Joppeck (704 yards rushing), game-breaking slot backJake O’Connor (907 all-purpose yards, 8 TDs) is still there to pick up the slack.
Whether it’s inside or outside, Buckeye, which allows over 300 yards per game, could get burned if all 11 men don’t execute. “We have to play disciplined and read our keys,” Burke said. “That’s the biggest thing. If we’re just watching the football, we’re doing to be confused with counter action and other things that they do.”
Black River, meanwhile, is oozing with momentum. After beating up Oberlin (288), the Pirates fell to the Clippers 34-6, but have since rebounded with triumphs over Brookside (35-6) and the Dukes (23-21). The passing game of quarterback Anthony O’Connor and receiver Jake O’Connor has taken off during the run and Joppeck has been keeping defenses honest with consistent 5-yard gains on the ground. Starting on a positive note and proving they belong will be crucial to the underdogs. Black River coach Al Young is confident his ultra-young team can stay on the porch with the big boys.
“Last year, they tacked up two (touchdowns) before we even got warmed up,” Young said. “Hopefully maybe this year we can change that a little bit and slow them down.” The Pirates’ defense, allowing 247.0 yards in PAC action, has a big chore ahead trying to prevent Buckeye from controlling the pigskin.
That begins with containing Reisner, who has 319 yards on 38 carries and five touchdowns in two career starts against Black River. Throw in McCormick running jet sweeps and Kelly juking and jiving on QB counters and the Bucks have a plethora of options. “It’s big if we can slow them down,” Young said. “They’re very effective and, of course, Cory Reisner is a tremendous runner. They’re very balanced with Cordes, McCormick and Kelly. We got our hands full.”
Put it all together and a good old, smashmouth football game between two of the best teams in the conference will take place at Edwin Steingass Field. "It’s really nice (for this to be a big game),” Young said. “It’s exciting for us as coaches, it’s exciting for us as players and we’re looking forward to it.” Grindle may be reached at agrindle@ohio.net or 330.721.4043.
