Marysville’s Bodie Eberhart (21) picks up yardage against Westland. The Monarchs will host Upper Arlington on Friday for Homecoming.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)
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The Golden Bears of Upper Arlington will present the Marysville High School defense with a different offensive look on Friday.
UA (3-4) will bring a pro-style offense with a tight end, instead of the popular spread look, into the Monarchs’ Homecoming game.
“They’re more of a run-oriented team with their new quarterback,” said MHS coach Brent Johnson.
Senior Sammy Sass, who started the season as the Bears’ No. 1 signal-caller, was recently lost to a season-ending injury.
Junior Jacob Leve has filled in that spot and as a result, Upper Arlington has become a ground-gaining team more than one that goes to the aerial attack.
One of the Bears’ top playmakers is senior Josh Rushin. He’s listed as a wide receiver, but will also run with the ball when needed.
Other potential ball-carrying threats include seniors Tommy Dilz and A.J. Borders.
The Upper Arlington skill position players operate behind a solid offensive line.
“Their line is about what we’ve seen so far this season,” said Johnson. “Their tackles are a little bigger and their guards run well.”
The Monarch coach said stopping the Golden Bears’ running attack is paramount to winning the game.
However, MHS (4-3) must also guard against the play-action pass.
“In order to do both, we have to be disciplined with our defensive assignments,” said Johnson.
The Golden Bears will line up in a 50 defensive front, which is geared toward stopping the run.
That, incidentally, is the Monarchs’ offensive strength with the likes of Ryan Kerns, Mike Powers, Chase Kilgore and Bodie Eberhart.
“Their tackles are big and their linebackers are active and play close to the line,” said Johnson. “We’re going to have to block their tackles in order to establish our running game.
“We identify how a defense is playing against us and go from there,” he said. “We haven’t been throwing the ball much this season because we’ve been running it so well.
“We’ll just have to ‘pick our poison’ as to when we can throw it.
“I think in order to exploit their defense, we’re going to have to be balanced both inside and outside,” said Johnson. “Our offensive coaches have been great in working with the guys to get the ball on the outside and also between the tackles.”
Johnson said the keys to winning the game aren’t that complicated, at least on paper.
“It’s going to be important for our defense to win first down (limiting UA’s offense on the first snap of each series) and also having our offense stay on schedule.
“We’ve got to move the chains when we have the ball,” he said.
“That’s our recipe for success…. it hasn’t changed.”