Thomas Rush (27) of Marysville looks to pick up yardage against Hilliard Davidson. The Monarchs will close out the 2017 season on Friday by hosting Central Crossing.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)
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The Marysville Monarchs will close out the 2017 football season on Friday by hosting a Central Crossing squad that will run plays on the opposite end of the spectrum.
The Comets, who sport a 3-6 record like the Monarchs, will run both from the I formation and the spread.
“We’ve seen them change from series to series,” said MHS head coach Brent Johnson. “They go back-and-forth between the two.”
Crossing’s offense is directed by junior quarterback Kameron Peck.
“He’s a good athlete,” said Johnson. “He can both run and throw the ball.”
Peck is not the only weapon in the Comets’ arsenal.
Pierre France is a shifty runner in the backfield, while Tirese Kelso and Kameron Inks are solid receivers.
Just how will the Monarch defense defend such a multiple offense? It will basically be by watching to see where Peck lines up on each play.
“When they go under center, chances are they are going to run the ball,” said Johnson. “When he’s in the shotgun, they will more than likely pass.”
Johnson feels Marysville’s three-man front will be able to defend both the I and the spread.
“It’s going to be a challenge for us, but we’re getting more comfortable with our three-man front,” he said.
The Comets will employ a five-man defensive front and they will want to stop the Monarchs’ running game.
It’s that facet of the offense that Johnson hopes Marysville can improve upon from last week.
“We’ve got to get our running game going again,” he said. “We threw the ball OK against Davidson, but we’ve got to establish the run.”
Just how will that be done against a defense that keys on stopping the ground game?
“They stay in the box and look to stop the run up the middle,” said Johnson. “We have to make it more of a perimeter game and stretch their defense 52 yards wide.
“If we can do that, it should open up our inside running game.
“Getting that back on track will be key to winning this game,” he said.
The Monarchs and Comets not only have the same record, they both have defeated two common opponents.
Marysville defeated Grove City 23-14 and the Comets edged the Greyhounds 49-48. The Monarchs downed Westland 27-6 and Central Crossing topped the Cougars 48-21.