Marysville’s Chris Lambert (right) battles for possession of the football against a Grove City opponent. The Monarchs will travel to Big Walnut on Friday as the 2018 regular season reaches its midway point.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)
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A team that Marysville High School’s football squad hasn’t played in a number of years returns to the schedule Friday evening.
The Monarchs will take their 2-2 record on the road to Sunbury to face the 1-3 Golden Eagles of Big Walnut.
BW’s record is a bit deceiving, as two of its losses have been by a combined seven points – 43-38 against 3-1 Johnstown and 28-26 against 3-1 Dublin Scioto.
“We don’t have a recent history with Big Walnut and I’ve never played against them,” said Monarch head coach Brent Johnson. “I know this used to be a huge game between these two teams.”
The Eagles will use a spread offense with an H-back. They will also at times go with a tight end.
“They want to run the ball more than they want to throw it,” said Johnson. “I’d say they are 60-40 percent with the running game.”
Big Walnut is led by quarterback John Sutton.
“He’s got a good arm and throws a good ball, when they want to throw it,” said Johnson.
More than likely, though, the Eagles will work to develop their ground attack with Evan Garcia, who rushed for 1,011 yards last year, and David Hunt (520 in 2017) doing the heavy lifting.
The Eagles’ skill position players will operate behind a good-sized line that moves well, according to Johnson.
“We have to stop the run first, since that’s what they want to do,” said Johnson. “However, our defensive backs can’t go to sleep. We will have to stay disciplined on defense.”
Big Walnut will operate out of a 4-3 base offense.
Johnson, though, feels the Eagles may use a five or-six man front against his squad.
“They’ve shown both of those fronts on tape,” he said. “I think we will see those fronts because they are going to want to stop our running game.
“They are physical up front and will put some pressure on us,” said Johnson. “They have solid defensive schemes.”
The Monarchs will need to use the same offensive principles that they’ve employed all season.
“It’s going to be the same old game plan,” said Johnson. “We need to be physical and we can’t turn over the ball.
“We have to stay on schedule and our defense has to get off the field on third down.”
Johnson said the Marysville and Sunbury communities will both be up for this game.
“Both teams are filled with blue-collar athletes who work hard,” he said. “Both receive great support from their communities and I think it’s going to be a fun game.”