Shannon Hutchinson, Sports Writer
Monticello — The Wayne County Cardinals, 2-5 on the season and 2-1 in district play,
coming off a 41-12 win at Jackson County will host undefeated Somerset,
Friday night at Jewell Field. The Briar Jumpers, under the first year
direction of head coach Robbie Lucas, are a perfect 8-0 and coming off a
34-20 home win over Garrard County.
The contest will mark the 29th meeting between the two teams, with
Somerset owning a 22-6 series advantage, which includes a 41-7 decision over
the Cardinals in 2008. The Jumpers have won five of the past six games in
the rivalry, with Wayne County's last win a 27-14 home decision in 2002.
"Somerset has a lot of tradition and they certainly have another very
good football team this year. They have been impressive all season long and
have some quality wins out of district play, they are the most complete team
in our district. Offensively they have multiple sets and can mix the run
with the pass, while on defense they force a lot of turnovers. Give Coach
Lucas a lot of credit they are playing extremely well," said Cards head
coach Shawn Thompson.
The Briar Jumpers average 39.1 points per game paced by a huge offensive
line and a deep arsenal of offensive weapons.
"I think their smallest guy on the line is 235 pounds, they have two
guys over 300 pounds and four or five backs that run the ball very
effectively. I think the biggest difference in their team this year is the
play of quarterback Eric Manning. He's such a dual threat, he'll pick a
defense apart with his arm, but he can tuck the ball and run the ball well.
Manning is fast and just a great athlete, plus their backs in Otie Manning,
Thomas Boyle and Josh Troxtle all make big plans," said Thompson.
Eric Manning has completed 90 of 162 passes for 1,320 yards with 17
touchdowns against 5 interceptions, through 7 games, plus is second on the
team in rushing with 263 yards on 49 attempts, with another score. Manning
at 5-11 160 lbs. is one of the top junior signal-callers in this part of the
state.
Otie Manning, a 5-10 150 lbs. senior, leads the team with 434 rushing
yards and 10 touchdowns, through 7 games while Thomas Boyle and Josh Troxtle
have 187 rushing yards and 170 yards each respectively, with 5 touchdowns.
"Otie Manning never comes off the field and is a sparkplug for their
team and a very hard-nosed runner. Troxtle and Boyle are both good runners
and their backfield is certainly the deepest we've faced this season," said
Thompson.
The passing game is aided by a couple of big time play-makers as well in
junior J.P. Henderlight and sophomore Storm Wilson. Henderlight leads the
squad with 16 catches for 320 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Wilson has 14
receptions for 212 yards with 3 scores.
"Defensively we have to swarm the football, play our responsibility and
do a better job of tackling. They have so much team speed, we can't afford
to make mistakes, or they will kill us with the big play," said Thompson.
The Cardinal defense allows 28.1 points per game, but the unit has
improved to allow only 18.3 points in district play.
A big key in the Cards' ability to pull the upset will be the play of
the offense. Wayne County averages 21.7 points per contest and faces a
Somerset defense that allows a very stingy 15 points per outing led by
senior linebacker Thomas Boyle.
Boyle leads the team with 62 total tackles, while Rob Stevenson and Trey
Slaughter have tallied 58 and 52 total stops each.
"Thomas Boyle leads their defense and is another one of their quality
two way players. Defensively they have excellent team speed and they are a
very aggressive end punishing defense. They force a lot of turnovers and our
ability to take care of the football will be a big key," said Thompson.
The Cards are coming off a 291 yard effort and the starters are coming
off back to back wins without a turnover, while the squad's younger players
did commit three fumbles late in last week's win.
"I really think if we could win the turnover battle in some games
earlier our record would be a winning one. We also have to win the battle
up-front and try to control the clock, while not only moving the football
but putting some points on the board," said Thompson.
What else must the Cards do to pull the upset and improve to 3-1
district play?
"Special teams play will be a key, we must win the battle of
field-position and also our defense needs to force some turnovers. It will
take a great effort. Somerset has a great football team, but we're looking
forward to the challenge," said Thompson.
The contest will also mark the Cards' return to Jewell Field, after five
straight weeks on the road.
"It will be great to finally get back home. We finish with three
straight at home, so hopefully we can get a big crowd out," said Thompson.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday night at Jewell Field and for
complete details on the match-up check next week's edition of The Outlook.