Sports
Sheridan Expecting A-Game from John Glenn
By: Nathan Wiseman
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While the focus remains on earning its first win of the season when Sheridan (1-2, 1-0) rolls into town on Friday, the pressure falls on John Glenn (0-3, 0-1)
Head coach Matt Edwards will go toe to toe with the greatest MVL coach of all time, Paul Culver, in just his third game as a head coach.
Scheming a game plan for Sheridan is no new task for Edwards who served as an assistant coach for the Muskies for three years under legendary coach John Kelly.
But on Friday night Edwards will be in a much different situation with higher stakes.
Kelly took the backseat and made Edwards his primary play-caller for the Muskies last season. The Muskies (0-3) offense struggled to find any consistently last year in this game as the Generals blanked the Muskies, 42-0.
The good news for Edwards is the Generals look much different than last year’s team who finished the 2014 campaign 8-2.
Sheridan came into the season on a sour note having already accumulated several injuries to returning starters.
It’s been a roller coaster ride ever since.
Granville drove the ball 81 yards down the field for a late touchdown to edge Sheridan, 24-21, in Week 1. The Generals fought back in Week 2, routing West Muskingum, 48-6, before being blown out by Zanesville, 42-0, last week.
While several players continue to heal, returning varsity starters Trevor Davisson and Ben Rhodes saw action last week and are expected to play a bigger role on Friday night.
Coach Culver’s resume speaks for itself, having racked up 15 MVL titles and 17 playoff appearances during his tenure at Sheridan. Those accolades add an extra incentive for opposing teams to knock off the Generals.
“Anytime anyone plays us they want to bring their A-game,” Culver said. “That’s what we’re expecting out of John Glenn tomorrow night.”
Costly mistakes and turnovers sum up the offensive production of both John Glenn and Sheridan in their respective games last week. John Glenn fumbled the ball 4 times in their 13-7 loss to West Muskingum while the Generals turned the ball over 5 times in their loss to Zanesville.
“We have to play good defense, keep the ball on offense and get the ground game going and that will carry into helping our passing game,” Culver Jr. said.
While junior quarterback Dylan Dupler continues to work out the kinks in the passing game, expect Deryk Grosse and Justyn Bobo to spearhead the offensive production on the ground.
If Sheridan’s defense can contain Matt Stewart and Shane Bonner from making big plays and their offense can eliminate turnovers, the Generals have the assets potential to put on a performance similar to last season’s convincing victory.
Kickoff is set for 7 PM at John Glenn High School.