Sports
Playoff Preview: 1 Trimble vs. 8 Beallsville
< < Back toThe Trimble Tomcats will host the Beallsville Blue Devils in a first round playoff clash Saturday night. The Tomcats will try to continue their season in a win or go home contest.
The 2013 season has been one of Trimble's most successful campaigns in school history, and they are hoping for bigger things to come in Glouster. Standing in their way is a 6-4 Blue Devils team that is putting up a solid 20 points per game this season.
Trimble's defense has been magnificent all season, shutting out opponents seemingly every week. A potential rematch with the Southern Tornadoes awaits them with a win, but first the Tomcats need to get past a good Blue Devils team. Trimble coach Phil Faires knows his veteran team won't overlook a young but talented Beallsville squad.
"Bealsville is a team that we know is dangerous," said Faires. "They lost a lot of seniors from a year ago, but their young guys can play. Computer points don't mean anything to us. We know that we will have our hands full this weekend."
The Blue Devils field a pass-happy offense, throwing on more than 60 percent of their offensive plays this year. They have experimented with two different sophomore quarterbacks throughout this season, and have had success through the air.
Beallsville's young quarterbacks will have their hands full trying to escape from a swarming Tomcats defense that gobbles up quarterbacks in the backfield every week. The pressure will be on the offensive line, as they will have their hands full with a strong and relentless Trimble defensive line. Faires said his defensive scheme will not change, and the Blue Devils will see the same defensive alignment that other teams have had a nightmare with all season.
Faires' biggest concern lies on the other side of the ball, where he hopes to see a balanced approach.
"We can't have a one dimensional game on offense," Faires said. "We need our yards to come through the ground and air. Balance is my biggest concern on offense."
Helping Faires' vision come true is a slew of talented players, as Trimble has continuously overwhelmed teams with their depth. Whether it's Konnor Standley, Austin Downs, Justice Jenkins, Bryce Smathers, Terry Simerly or any other Tomcat player, you can expect to see many different names in the box score.
Saturday’s kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Glouster Memorial Stadium.