Published: September 09, 2008 03:22 pm      

Cardinals open district play Friday

Monticello — The Wayne County Cardinals open district play this Friday night at

Jewell Field, against Casey County. The cards opened their 2008 season last

week with a disappointing lost, at Rockcastle County. The Rebels are 0-2 and

coming off a 56-2 lost to Russell County. The contest is the district opener

for both teams and marks the 27th meeting between the two rivals, as Wayne

County has won the past 5 in the rivalry to own a 20-6 all-time series edge,

including a 21-0 decision in 2007 at Rebel Field.

"This is a big week for our football team and a chance to get better

after a very disappointing effort at Rockcastle County. District home games

are so important, plus we need to get back on the field and show we are a

better team than the one that showed up last week. We just made so many

mistakes and missed so many assignments on both sides of the ball, plus our

special teams play was very disappointing," said Cards head coach Shawn

Thompson.

The Cards failed to score an offensive touchdown last week and totaled

just 108 yards on 48 plays. The offense totaled only 9 first downs and

finished with 5 turn -overs.

"Offensively our blocking has to improve in all areas. Our offensive

line play wasn't very good, but our backs and receivers also missed a lot of

blocks, so our overall effort must improve. We have to do a better job of

knowing our assignments and making an effort to get our helmets out and on

somebody. We have to raise our level of intensity and be the aggressor,"

said Thompson.

Junior halfback D.J. Hall scored the squad's only points on a 75 yard

interception return and paced the offense with 65 rushing yards, on 15

attempts.

"I really thought D.J. ran the ball hard and had a couple of nice runs,

we just need to be more consistent. A lot of his yards were on his effort

and ability, we have to open some holes and utilize our passing game to

setup our running game," said Thompson.

Junior quarterback Zack Stephenson completed 5 of 16 passes for 40

yards, with 2 interceptions. The junior was sacked 5 times last week and

unable to show his running ability.

"We have to do a better job of blocking in our passing game and give

Zack some time to make the reads and pass the football. Last week to start

at Rockcastle County was tough, but Zack can make the throws and is a

hard-nosed runner. Once he settles into the position, I know our passing

offense will improve," said Thompson.

The Cards face a Casey County defense that has allowed 106 points in two

games. Russell County put up 56 points in last week's 56-2 effort and the

Rebels opened the season with a 50-7 loss, at Trimble County.

Casey County, under the direction of 8th year coach Andy Stephens, bases

out of a 50 defense. The Rebels have just 11 upperclassmen on the roster and

Stephens relies on a roster that includes 22 freshman.

"Casey County has a lot of good young players and they start six or

seven freshman, so anytime you play that much youth, growing pains will

happen. I've watched them on tape and they are very aggressive and

hard-nosed, they are just young in some spots," said Thompson.

The Rebels defensive unit is anchored by 6-1 255 lbs. senior defensive

tackle Mariano Gonzales. Gonzales led the team with 4 sacks last year and

provides the unit leadership.

"A big key on offense will be our ability to take care of the football.

We can't give the ball away five times, so ball security is important. We

also have to take advantage of our scoring opportunities, we should've

scored 21 points last week, but didn't finish the play,"said Thompson.

The Cardinal defense, coming off a decent effort last week that yielded

343 yards, but forced 3 turnovers, faces a Casey County offense that has

struggled in the early season. The Rebels base out of the I-formation and

are led by senior running back Omar Gonzales.

"Offensively they'll run the Spread some, but run a lot of things out of

the I. Gonzales is a big, strong runner and we have to do a good job of

wrapping up. They also have a couple of freshman that rotate at quarterback

and do a good job. Both sides of the ball Casey County plays hard and gets

after it, so we'll have to play with more intensity. Defensively we must do

a better job of getting into position and doing our assignments," added

Thompson.

Another area looking for improvement is special teams, "we didn't get

anything out our return same, had two punts blocked and missed an

extra-point. Obviously we have to step up in all areas of our special teams.

Good teams win the battle of field-position,"said Thompson.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday night at Jewell Field.

"We have a chance to do some good things in the district and we have

three straight district games and it all starts this Friday night. We have

to step up and play,"said Thompson.

Details on the game in next week's edition of The Outlook.