Shannon Hutchinson, Sports Writer
Monticello — The Wayne County Cardinals, 0-1 on the season and coming off an open
week, host 4A foe Rockcastle County this Friday night, at Jewell Field. The
Rockets, under the second year direction of coach Scott Parkey, opened their
season last Saturday night with a 42-22 loss to Boyle County in the Bob
Allen Pigskin Classic.
The contest marks the 19th meeting between the two former district
rivals, as Rockcastle holds a 14-4 series advantage including a 30-6 home
win, in the 2008 season opener. The Cards are looking for their first win in
the series, since a 20-16 win in 1988.
"Rockcastle County has had one of the top programs in our area for the
past twenty years, so we know we're playing one of the best teams in state
in their class. We want to play good teams and prepare for our district
schedule. This year's Rockcastle team is a very typical Rock team. They play
power football and bring lots of intensity with an aggressive attacking
style, "said Cards head coach Shawn Thompson.
"I was very impressed with Rockcastle County. They can play the power
game and run the football, but they were also very effective passing out of
the spread look. We must step up our intensity and effort in all areas, plus
we have to do a better job of following assignments," said Thompson.
Rockcastle bases much of their offense out of the Power I, but senior
quarterback Dustin Bishop also a passing threat out of the spread. Bishop is
a three-year starter on offense and teams with running backs John L. Saylor
and Clark Rowe, to form a talented offensive backfield.
"Bishop has loads of experience and last year he picked us apart pretty
well with the passing game. Rowe and Saylor are both strong, hard-nosed
runners, so defensively we more than have our hands full. We have to match
their physical play up-front. They have excellent size and strength on the
line, plus some very good receivers," said Thompson.
Wayne County allowed 323 yards of offense in their season opening loss
to Monroe County, with 202 of those yards coming in the air.
"A big thing we have to do is get off the football. Against Monroe
County we really struggled with some basic fundamentals and assignments, so
hopefully the extra week of practice should help clean that up. Last week
after our film session, I thought we practiced with a lot more focus, but
we've had good practices for the most part all season," said Thompson.
The Cards will look to get the offense back on track after a 7 point and
155 total yard effort in the opener. D.J. Hall paced the rushing attack with
46 yards on 13 attempts, while Eric Rhule led all receivers with 5
receptions for 46 yards, plus scored the team's only touchdown on a one yard
run.
"We had a couple of very good drives, but we must play with a more
consistent effort each play. We can't take plays off and I think that starts
with raising our intensity level. To play at the level we want to, it starts
with a focused aggressive attitude. We'll certainly face a very aggressive
defense," said Thompson.
Senior quarterback Zack Stephenson will face a Rockets defensive unit
that loves to load the line and force teams to pass the football. Stephenson
completed 10 of 17 passes for 81 yards in the opener, but was held to just
20 rushing yards.
"We have to get off the football and make our blocks with more
intensity. It wasn't just the line, or the backs, or the receivers, it was
our entire offensive unit. We need to be the aggressor and win the battle on
the line of scrimmage," said Thompson.
Another area that cost the Cards in their opener was field-position,
which is something Thompson hopes improves Friday night.
"We played way too much on our side of the field, so hopefully that's
something with moving the football more and better coverage will improve,"
said Thompson.
Kickoff for the varsity game is set for 7:30 p.m. at Jewell Field, but
action will start earlier as "Youth League Night" action will start with a
Red and Black 6th grade scrimmage at 5 p.m.
"We want a big crowd to come out, I know it means a lot to the kids, but
hopefully anybody that can will come out early and watch some of our future
Cardinals play. Youth League night is always a big night for all kids and we
have over 100 participants in grades 3-6, so it should be good," said
Thompson.
Details on all the action in next week's edition of the Outlook.