Monarch head coach Brent Johnson (left) reacts to a play during last Saturday’s game against Dublin Coffman. The Monarchs will travel to Westland on Friday.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)
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The Marysville Monarchs have had one less day to prepare for Friday night’s game at Westland.
The Monarchs (3-3) were forced to play last Saturday afternoon against Dublin Coffman, instead of Friday night due to a power outage at the school.
MHS head coach Brent Johnson, however, said that really won’t be too much of a problem as the Monarchs get ready to face the 1-5 Cougars.
“It was really only a problem for the coaches,” laughed Johnson. “We had a long day on Sunday preparing for Westland.”
Normally, the coaches use both Saturday and Sunday to work on the next week’s game plan.
The Cougars, who are guided by first-year head coach Rick Rios, will use the same type of offense Marysville has faced the past couple of weeks.
“It’s a spread-type offense with an H-back,” said Johnson. “They will use trips, but they will run about 60 percent of the time.”
Westland is led by senior quarterback Deshawn Evans. At 6-4, 205-pounds, he’s one of the bigger Cougars on the roster.
“He throws a good ball when they do pass it,” said Johnson.
Other Westland weapons are receivers Daunte Campbell and Jonathan Curry and slotback Tyquwone Workman.
The Cougars, whose only win of the season to date was a 38-7 verdict over Franklin Heights, operate behind an average-sized offensive line.
“Their guys play very hard,” said Johnson. “It’s just that they are going through some growing pains with a new head coach this season.”
The Monarch boss said his defensive unit will “have to play our own game. We need to be disciplined in what we do.”
Westland will employ a 50 defensive front, similar to what Dublin Coffman did last weekend.
“They want to stop our running game,” said Johnson. “They are aggressive kids and their line (which includes 270-pound Aboubakare Dabo and 262-pound Caleb Momanaway) comes off the ball well.
“Their linebackers (which include Nick Spires and Manuel Mickens) will also come at you.”
Johnson said although the Cougars’ defense is geared toward stopping the run, the Monarchs must continue with their ground game.
“However, we also need to work on play-action passes,” he said. “That’s a part of our offense that needs to grow.”
Johnson said the Monarchs were disappointed with Saturday’s overtime loss to the Shamrocks.
However, they are not hanging their heads.
“The guys have been anxious to get back on the practice field this week,” he said. “I really like that.
“The key to winning this week’s game is for us to come back out and play like we did on Saturday,” said Johnson.
The coach added that he feels the Monarchs will do just that, noting, “There’s nobody else I’d like to go to battle with (than these guys).”