Marysville’s Jayden Simmons (13) picks up yardage against Grove City. The Monarchs will play Big Walnut on Friday.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)
Electrical inspection set for stadium today
The 2019 high school football regular season reaches the midway point this Friday with the Marysville Monarchs facing Big Walnut.
The Golden Eagles will run a spread offense, but will at times also put two runners in the backfield.
“They like to be balanced on offense, but they’ve had to throw the ball more often in some games due to the score,” said MHS head coach Brent Johnson, whose team is 3-1. “They will flood certain areas on the field and can go deep with their passing game.”
Big Walnut will take a 2-2 record into the contest.
The Eagles have defeated Shelby and Buckeye Valley and have fallen to Johnstown-Monroe and Olentangy Orange.
Running back Tyler Crotinger is the athlete who Johnson said makes the Eagles “go.”
“We have to take away his running game and make Big Walnut throw the ball,” said the Monarch coach.
Even if that happens, the Marysville defense cannot become complacent.
Quarterback Jagger Barnett has a solid arm and likes to get the ball to wide receiver Sam Fortney or tight end Lucas Ronk.
“Their quarterback is also a good runner,” said Johnson. “We will have to keep him in the pocket.”
The Eagles will line up in a 3-5 defense, but could give the Monarchs several different looks.
“We would see four and five-front looks and maybe even a three-front,” said Johnson. “Ronk is an active defensive end and Ryan Coletta is the same way as a linebacker.
“They run to the football well.”
Johnson said the Monarch offense will have to be strong with both its ground and aerial games.
“We will have to get our 10-to-15 pass attempts and keep Big Walnut off-balance,” he said. “Our power game has been looking good and I also think we can get the ball on the edges against them.
“If we do that, it will open up the middle for us.”
Johnson feels the Monarchs will be able to take away the Eagles’ running attack.
That, he said,will be a big part of winning the game.
“Our defense has to take away their ground game and get off the field on third down,” he said. “We also can’t have any turnovers.”
Special teams could also play a huge role in the outcome.
“We have to gain some nice possessions through special teams,” said Johnson. “If they kick to us, we have to make some nice returns. If we kick to them, we have to make tackles (and limit their yardage).
“Big Walnut is a team of tough, blue-collar guys, just like we are,” said the MHS coach. “Both teams are going to play tough for 48 minutes.”
Just where the game will be played was still up in the air earlier this week.
The contest is officially a home game for the Monarchs.
Whether the new stadium turf field at MHS will be ready for Friday night’s action remained to be seen.
An electrical inspection of the stadium was planned for this afternoon.
If the stadium passes inspection, a temporary occupancy permit could be issued in time for the Monarchs to host the game.
“We’re ready to play on our home field,” said Johnson. “We’ve had back-to-back lightning delays on the road (at Findlay and Grove City).
“Man, I’m sick of those bus rides,” he chuckled. “We would really like to play at home.”