Sports
Undefeated Trimble, Shadyside Battle In Regional Final
By: Lucas Widman
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Two teams stood atop the Region 25 rankings in 2013, and it is time to determine who will move to the Final Four.
Trimble and Shadyside will square off Saturday night in Zanesville, Ohio, for a matchup between the only teams in the region to go undefeated.
The Tomcat defense, which has allowed just 55 points through 12 games, will prepare for a strong Tigers running game.
“They’d be happy not to throw passes,” Trimble head coach Phil Faires said. “They’ve got some huge linemen, quarterback, and a huge tight end. If we don’t stop the run, they won’t pass it.”
Tigers quarterback Austin Dorris, who is listed at 6-foot-5, leads an offense that has run the ball over 50 times on several different occasions.
Khalil Jones, the speedy tailback from Steubenville Catholic Central, tested Faires’ defensive unit last week. Jones tallied 92 yards on the ground, but most of his success came from a 68-yard touchdown run at the start of the game. The Tomcats have yet to allow a 100-yard rushing performance this season.
This is the first time Trimble will be represented in week 13 of the playoffs, and Faires explained that it is a new experience for the team and its supporters.
“This is the first year that we’ve practiced when it was this cold,” Faires said. “I think everyone in town cheered and followed us up, and they’ll follow us all the way back [to Zanesville]. It’s going to be a great week in Glouster.”
Shadyside running back Eric Howell is coming off a 154-yard performance against Caldwell last week, leading the Tigers to a 30-6 win over the Redskins.
Tomcat quarterback Konner Standley rushed for 148 yards against the Crusaders in week 12, topping the team in yards on the ground.
Trimble and Shadyside will face off at Sulsberger Stadium at 7 p.m. Saturday night in Zanesville.