Western Reserve vs Southern Local

Gallery

Team

Southern Local

Record	Div.	Conf.
1/2	Div. VI	Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference

Team

Western Reserve

Record	Div.	Conf.
8/3	Div. VII	Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference

By John Bassetti

bassetti@vindy.com

BERLIN CENTER

On the surface, the David vs. Goliath comparison seems appropriate.

On the field, it doesn’t.

Western Reserve proved that experience matters and size doesn’t as the Blue Devils remained undefeated (6-0, 3-0 ITCL Tier Two) after beating Southern, 26-10.

Southern Local had the size, but Western Reserve came out explosive and put up 14 points in the first five minutes.

Yet, Reserve coach Andy Hake chose to praise his defense.

“We played great defense,” said the second-year coach whose record is 16-1.

“We made some big plays early in the game on offense, so I think they were a little shell-shocked when we hit them with a couple plays early.”

Hake tried to give the impression that the game was tighter than it appeared.

However, his Blue Devils were ahead 26-3 until the Indians (5-1, 2-1 ITCL Tier Two) scored with 34 seconds remaining to cut the margin to 16.

Ryley Sheptock scored on a 51-yard run on Reserve’s second play from scrimmage with 2:20 elapsed after the opening kickoff and Ed Crump plunged two yards at 7:15 of the first quarter. Donnie Bolton’s conversion run accounted for the other two points in the early scoring spurt.

Southern was held to 65 yards despite being forced to the perimeter.

“A lot of teams have a hard time running on us,” Hake said. “We really gear it up on the defensive line. We thought they’d have to throw the ball.”

Despite Southern’s size advantage, the Blue Devils felt otherwise.

“Size doesn’t matter,” Hake said. “It’s guys with heart and toughness that find a way to win.”

Of the outcome of the game that was hyped as a matchup of unbeatens. Hake said that experience counts.

“It’s nothing against them, but they just haven’t been in these kinds of games and we have the last couple years.”

Western Reserve enjoyed a 310-141 advantage in yards with Sheptock and Bolton the main gainers with 57 and 55 yards, respectively.

Reserve quarterback Jeff Clegg, a junior, completed 14 of 24 passes for 120 yards.

Southern’s only first-half points came on a Steve Treadway field goal from 24 yards out with 4:10 left in the first quarter.

“We’re going to reload and bounce back,” said Southern’s first-year coach Mike Skrinjar. “We’ve got a lot of W’s coming, we’ve just got to work for them.”

The loss opened Skrinjar’s eyes.

“We’ve seen where our weaknesses are. They have a lot team speed and they exploited our defense. Defensively, they’re quick on the front, so, offensively, we’ve got to get better blocking.”

But the coach didn’t sell his players short.

“We’re 5-1 and still working. We’ll get it done.”

Skrinjar explained that Reserve’s early strikes hurt.

“They take advantage of opportunities, like the onside kick, that’s a good call,” Skrinjar said of Reserve’s successful strategy after on the kickoff following the Blue Devils’ first TD.

“If we get it, great field position; if they get it, good call.

Southern’s size included Jason Miller (6-5, 330) and Paul Beardshall (6-5, 345), but it wasn’t limited to the line. Starting quarterback Jake Boyle is a 6-4, 215-pounder.