Monarch quarterback Walker Heard (2) stretches to gain more yardage against Dublin Coffman. The Monarchs will host Westland for Homecoming on Friday.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)
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The Westland Cougars will provide the opposition for the Marysville High School football team for MHS’ Homecoming on Friday.
The contest will pit the 2-4 Monarchs against a Westland squad that has won once so far this season.
Westland will present Marysville’s defense with an offense that features two formations on the opposite ends of the spectrum.
The Cougars will run the jet sweep and also look to throw the ball deep down the field.
The main weapon in Westland’s offense is sophomore quarterback Tyquwone Workman.
He began the season as the backup, but stepped to the plate in the starter’s role after Deshawn Evans broke his ankle.
“Their sophomore quarterback is very fast and elusive,” said MHS head coach Brent Johnson. “He is a big part of their offense and he does a good job of ad-libbing when he gets the ball.
“We’re practicing our scramble drill all this week and we are going to need to stay disciplined in our zones,” said Johnson.
The Cougars also have a quick running back in Matt Bailey who could give the Monarchs some problems.
The Westland skill players operate behind a line that is not overly big, but one that gets off the ball well.
The same can be said for the Cougars’ four-man defensive front.
Their ends, Soriba Kaba and Charles Bott, are quick to the ball.
“We’ve got to have a balanced offense against them,” said Johnson. “Last week against Dublin Coffman we threw the ball a little more, which I like.
“We will also need to establish a balanced rhythm running the ball inside and outside,” he said. “We can’t be one-dimensional with our offense.”
The Cougars, whose only victory this season has been against Delaware Hayes, have struggled to maintain consistency.
“They’ve got athletes, which always scares you,” said Johnson. “This is also Coach (Kyle) Goebbel’s third year there and they are getting better.
“We’ve told the guys that we need to be the more disciplined team on Friday night in order to win.”
Johnson feels his Monarchs are improving each week.
The “300-pound gorilla” in the room, however, is an inability – so far – to get over what Johnson calls the “hump.”
“We’re close to getting over it,” said Johnson, “but I’m tired of just being close.
“The guys are doing everything we’ve asked of them,” he said. “I just want to see them start getting a ‘pay day’ from it.”