In this file photo, Triad quarterback Coleman Hauck (5) rears back to throw a pass as West Liberty lineman attempt to break up the play. Hauck has stepped up recently, throwing the ball more for the Cardinal offense. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
Triad rolls into Week 5 of the season with a real challenge ahead of them tonight.
The Cardinals currently sport a 1-3 record with their only win coming in Week 1 against Cedarville.
The Cards hope they can turn it around against tonight’s home opponent, West Jefferson. Head coach Dylan Wears knows it is going to be tough.
“Their quarterback has thrown for an incredible amount of yards, but they have also shown they run the ball well,” he said. “They are good on special teams, so they are well rounded.”
WJ Quarterback Tyler Buescher has tossed the ball for 1,300 yards with 15 TDs and five interceptions in four weeks.
Buescher also has the top two wideouts in the Ohio Heritage Conference at his disposal.
Tyler Oberle leads the circuit with 509 yards receiving on 27 receptions, while MJ Book has tallied 409 yards on 19 receptions.
The Riders have eight additional receivers with the ability to move the ball
Hayden Salyer has also proved to be a running threat. He has 263 yards on 36 attempts and three TDs.
Regardless of what offense WJ brings, Wears said his team will be ready.
“We attack every week the same way,” he said. “We want to give the kids the best opportunity to win.”
Even though victories have been scarce, Wears has seen improvement week-to-week.
“It has only gotten better,” he said.
With the team playing better, Wears said it is his QB Coleman Hauck who has helped the first year coach on the field.
“The way he works, he really elevates the team,” Wears said. “Last week, we asked him to the throw the ball more and he stepped up.”
Hauck did have a solid showing against Fairbanks, going 16-25 for 245 yards. That’s most yards in a single game this season for the first-year QB.
Wears will also be leaning on the Cards’ leading rusher Jackson Cordell.
He has tallied 237 yards on 31 attempts.
During last week’s loss, Cordell turned in only 32 yards.
Wears still has a lot of confidence in his young running back.
“He is only a sophomore and still has a lot to grow into,” he said. “We give him a lot on his plate and he has been able to handle it.”