In this file photo, North Union quarterback Preston Crabtree (22) provides blocking for running back Trevor Moran (10) during Week 4 of the regular season against Northwestern. The duo’s hard work will be imperative for a win tonight at Urbana. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
North Union rolls into Week 5 of the football season tonight on the road.
The Cats hope to stay on the winning path against Urbana.
The Hill Climbers have had their struggles this season going 0-4.
NU head coach Nick Hajjar said with the way this season has been, one can never underestimate a team by looking at its record.
“Their kids play hard,” Hajjar said. “They run a triple option like you would see out of some of the military schools on Saturdays.”
Running is Urbana’s forte.
The Climbers has rushed the ball 142 times and only thrown 16 passes this season. Leading Urbana on the ground is Levi Stapleton with 56 attempts for 158 yards.
Urbana, though, also utilizes six different backs in offense.
Will Donahoe is the Climbers’ quarterback.
He has only completed five passes this season for 111 yards and one TD, but also gets involved in the run game. He’s rushed for 52 yards.
With so many options for Urbana, Hajjar said his defense will need to stay disciplined.
“If you let their offense get going ,they can really take control of the game,” he said. “It really forces you to stay disciplined.”
North Union, on the other hand, is coming off a solid win over Northwestern.
Hajjar mixed up his offense, utilizing new faces in new positions.
The NU boss hopes to continue the winning trend by sticking to what NU knows, while always looking to improve.
“Every week is about us,” Hajjar said. “Last week we put some back-to-back quarters together, but there are always some things that are frustrating.
“We won the turnover battle, but penalties still got us in trouble.”
Hajjar will lean on his lead rusher Trevor Moran, who picked up his third straight 100-yard game, with 116 yards last week.
NU is mixing up who is under center between Preston Crabtree and Trevyn Feasel. Feasel will also add a deep threat for the Cats as he sits as the second-best receiver in the Central Buckeye conference with 301 yards.
With the shortened regular season drawing to a close, Hajjar hopes NU can continue to stay hot on its way to the playoffs.
“Every season has a different story and I’m trying to get the kids to understand there is plenty of football left to play if they want,” he said.