Bearcats want to end season on winning note
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
BAINBRIDGE – From the start of the 2010 season and now up to the final week of the season, the Paint Valley Bearcats have begun the process of improving, gaining two wins in their last two games.
This week, the Bearcats will host the Zane Trace Pioneers in a Week 10 Scioto Valley Conference matchup to end the season at George Knisley Field.
Zane Trace (4-5) have won three of their last four games, defeating Huntington (28-0), Unioto (31-14) and Southeastern (34-14). ZT defeated Rock Hill (18-15) in Week 1. Their five losses have come from Amanda-Clearcreek (24-17), Logan Elm (21-14), Adena (9-3), Piketon (36-19) and Westfall (27-14).
In the SVC, the Pioneers are 3-3. At home, ZT finished 3-2, and on the road, they are 1-3. They've scored 178 points and have allowed 160.
The Bearcats (2-7) have won both of their games in the past two weeks after a tough first seven weeks of the season. They've scored 137 points this year, 51 in the past two games in wins over Huntington and Unioto.
ZT will use a Pro-I offense as they will use the inside run and then go to a midline Veer style.
They look to running back Matt Marrell, a junior, who is almost at the 1,000-yard mark for the season. Marrell stands at 5-9, 175 pounds.
PV head coach Pete Hollon said the offensive line of the Pioneers is loaded with two huge tackles. Those players are Trey Moats (6-2, 295) and Jarred Collins (6-1, 265).
"They are both outstanding linemen," he said. "They have good size and are a tremendous help for their running game. They are a more run-heavy team and have shown the ability to throw, mostly with play action. They are not a four or five wide team by any stretch."
Defensively, ZT will run the traditions 5-2 look and they won't abandon it, according to Hollon.
"They keep seven in the box with man-to-man," he said.
Two of the players in the box will be Collins, at nose guard, and linebacker Chris Findley (6-2, 215).
"They blitz quite a bit, and they try to challenge you with man-to-man coverage," Hollon said. "They are just a solid team and won't make a lot of mistakes."
Last week, the Bearcats were led in rushing by freshman Mark Clifford with 121 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown against Unioto.
But the player to watch out for is senior Garett Tyree. Tyree produced from all aspects of the field, rushing for 78 yards on four attempts, catching two passes for 79 yards (one TD reception for 11 yards) and kicking a field goal, along with five PATs.
"The results with a healthy Garett Tyree on the field shows he's a great football player. He makes such a difference when he's on the field," Hollon said.
This week, like for many teams around the state, is about playing with pride.
"This is a pride check for us," Hollon said. "With all the injuries, we could have easily folded, but the last two weeks the guys have stepped up and I'm proud of them. If we stop rushing ourselves, limit our mistakes (PV has one turnover in their past two games), we can continue what we've done the past two weeks. So far we've done that in our wins, and we need to do it one last time this season."
PV will host Zane Trace in the season finale Friday at 7:30 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]
This week, the Bearcats will host the Zane Trace Pioneers in a Week 10 Scioto Valley Conference matchup to end the season at George Knisley Field.
Zane Trace (4-5) have won three of their last four games, defeating Huntington (28-0), Unioto (31-14) and Southeastern (34-14). ZT defeated Rock Hill (18-15) in Week 1. Their five losses have come from Amanda-Clearcreek (24-17), Logan Elm (21-14), Adena (9-3), Piketon (36-19) and Westfall (27-14).
In the SVC, the Pioneers are 3-3. At home, ZT finished 3-2, and on the road, they are 1-3. They've scored 178 points and have allowed 160.
The Bearcats (2-7) have won both of their games in the past two weeks after a tough first seven weeks of the season. They've scored 137 points this year, 51 in the past two games in wins over Huntington and Unioto.
ZT will use a Pro-I offense as they will use the inside run and then go to a midline Veer style.
They look to running back Matt Marrell, a junior, who is almost at the 1,000-yard mark for the season. Marrell stands at 5-9, 175 pounds.
PV head coach Pete Hollon said the offensive line of the Pioneers is loaded with two huge tackles. Those players are Trey Moats (6-2, 295) and Jarred Collins (6-1, 265).
"They are both outstanding linemen," he said. "They have good size and are a tremendous help for their running game. They are a more run-heavy team and have shown the ability to throw, mostly with play action. They are not a four or five wide team by any stretch."
Defensively, ZT will run the traditions 5-2 look and they won't abandon it, according to Hollon.
"They keep seven in the box with man-to-man," he said.
Two of the players in the box will be Collins, at nose guard, and linebacker Chris Findley (6-2, 215).
"They blitz quite a bit, and they try to challenge you with man-to-man coverage," Hollon said. "They are just a solid team and won't make a lot of mistakes."
Last week, the Bearcats were led in rushing by freshman Mark Clifford with 121 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown against Unioto.
But the player to watch out for is senior Garett Tyree. Tyree produced from all aspects of the field, rushing for 78 yards on four attempts, catching two passes for 79 yards (one TD reception for 11 yards) and kicking a field goal, along with five PATs.
"The results with a healthy Garett Tyree on the field shows he's a great football player. He makes such a difference when he's on the field," Hollon said.
This week, like for many teams around the state, is about playing with pride.
"This is a pride check for us," Hollon said. "With all the injuries, we could have easily folded, but the last two weeks the guys have stepped up and I'm proud of them. If we stop rushing ourselves, limit our mistakes (PV has one turnover in their past two games), we can continue what we've done the past two weeks. So far we've done that in our wins, and we need to do it one last time this season."
PV will host Zane Trace in the season finale Friday at 7:30 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]