Trevor Moran leaps over a fallen Marion Harding player while getting tackled during last week’s contest. The Wildcats will travel to Galion where each team will battle for a victory late in the regular season.
(Photo submitted)
––––
With Week 8 of the regular high school football season at hand, the Wildcats of North Union will travel to take on offensive powerhouse Galion on Friday.
The Tigers find themselves 1-3 in the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference, despite scoring 94 points throughout the MOAC season.
This offensive power is something that NU head coach Nick Hajjar has been preparing for all week.
“They are a very good football team,” he said. “When you watch them, they have been able to score a lot of points in almost every game.”
Tlhe offensive power mostly comes from a core of players, especially a strong quarterback in Elias Middleton. He has worked his way up to the top of the conference stats list in passing yards with 897.
He also happens to have the most passing touchdowns with 10.
“They are a spread team with a dual-threat quarterback,” he said. “They have a slew of receivers that he can throw it to and they try to get to those guys in different ways.”
Those dual threat numbers can also be seen in Middleton’s rushing yards. He is currently third on the stats list with 638 yards on the ground and seven touchdowns.
Galion’s true talent, though, lies in its ability to make some difficult catches.
“I think what is unique about their receiving corps is they have done a good job of making tough catches this year,” said Hajjar. “They make some very difficult catches that keep drives going.”
One of those Tiger wide-outs is also at the top of the leader board in catches. Isaiah Alsip has 29 catches and also leads the league in receiving yards with 465 and six touchdowns.
Middleton can also go to Kalib Griffin, who has 18 receptions for 258 yards and two touchdowns.
With the pass in full effect this week against the North Union defense, Hajjar said it is just another tough week in the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference.
“It’s another big week and each week in this league poses different challenges,” he said. “It is all matchups and we have faced some spread this year and have done some different things with them. With the different route combinations, you never know.”
With all of the passing anticipated from the Tigers, Hajjar said a good pass defense starts with his linemen.
“It starts up front because your best pass coverage is a pass rush,” he said. “Hopefully we can get some pressure up front.”
The Wildcats have shown the ability to get to the quarterback. Colton Clark and Adam Dunn have combined for six sacks this season, while Carsen Newell leads the league in interception with five as he patrols the secondary.
Both teams also understand what is at stake on Friday.
The Wildcats sport a 2-2 record in the league, but also find themselves sixth in Region 18 of Division V with an overall mark of 5-2 record.
“It is going to be a challenge,” Hajjar said. “They know what is at stake and we do too. It will be a big game.”
The Wildcats need to keep the numbers climbing in the win column to remain as a playoff contender and it will start with the Tigers.
Hajjar said that adversity will happen in this game and noted it will be how the Wildcats handle it that will push them to win.
“Every game is going to have its ebbs and flows and adversity,” said Hajjar. “It’s all about how we are going to handle that when it comes.
“We have to try to stay focused and just respond by moving on to the next play, good or bad.”