Week 1 Preview: Colerain vs. Pickerington Central

What: Week 1 Preview

Who: Colerain Cardinals (0-0) vs. Pickerington Central (0-0)

Where: Nippert Stadium on the Campus of the University of Cincinnati

When: Saturday August 25, 2012 @ 5:30 PM

Internet:  LIVE AUDIO - WeAreColerain.com (CLICK HERE)

TV (Tape Delayed):  Waycross Community Television (Playback Times TBD)

Key Players & Stats/Comments

PICKERINGTON CENTRAL (0-0)

2011:  11-3, Ohio Division I State Runner-up (Regular season losses to Moeller 14-7 in Week 1 and St. Xavier 38-21 in Week 2)

QB - #5 Colby Simkins (Jr.) 5’11” 185 lbs

RB/LB - #40 Greg Basalyga (Sr.) 5’11” 220 lbs

OL/P - #60 Zach Gorman (Sr.) 5’9” 220 lbs

OL - #62 Nick Walter (Sr.) 6’3” 250 lbs

WR/LB - #33 Taco Charlton (Sr.) 6’6” 255 lbs (Committed to Michigan)

WR/DB - #3 Andrew Meyer (Jr.) 6’1” 190 lbs

COLERAIN CARDINALS (0–0)

2011:  10-2, Lost to St. Xavier in Regional Semi-Final, 28-15

QB - #1 Alfred “LA” Ramsby (Sr.) 5’11” 195 lbs

FB - #12 Jackson Sorn (Sr.) 6’ 200 lbs

RB - #5 Chris Davis (Sr.) 5’10” 185 lbs

RB - #25 Detuan Smith-Moore (Jr.) 5’5´185 lbs

OL - #71 Dylan Wiseman (Sr.) 6’4” 300 lbs

DL - #59 Dae’shaun Durham (Sr.) 6’2” 255 lbs

LB - #8 Tegray Scales (Jr.) 6’2” 212 lbs

DB - #24 Dejuan Lang (Sr.) 5’10” 180 lbs

Keys to Victory for Colerain

• STAY WITHIN YOUSELVES – For a team that is returning an average number of players, there has been a lot of talk about this Colerain team.  Much of that is due to the overall success of the program over the past two decades, however, there is a great amount of excitement surrounding the return of Senior RB Chris Davis and Senior QB LA Ramsby.  The Cardinals must be careful in trying to do “too much” in week 1.  Pickerington Central is a Tier 1 football program in the state and will match Colerain athletically position for position.  By staying focused on the play right in front of them, the Cardinals stay within themselves in week 1 and do what is necessary to win.

• OFFENSE:  CONTROL THE CLOCK – Sounds unnecessary to say this for a Colerain team as the nature of the triple-option is to do just that.  However, this team is truly going to surprise some folks with their ability to throw the ball.  This is not the week to do that.  Colerain is bigger and stronger on the offensive side of the ball vs. the Tigers defense.  This is a week for Jackson Sorn to re-introduce himself to the Colerain faithful and remind us that he had almost 1,000 yards rushing last year.  Pickerington Central is a multi-faceted offense.  Keeping them on the sidelines is a good idea while the 8 new defensive starters work their way into the season. 

• DEFENSE:  GANG TACKLE – “We’re a family of 11 that wants to have a party at the ball.”  These words were uttered by team captain Andre Revels in 2004 and it is going to be key for the 2012 Cardinals to have a similar mindset.  This defense is not blessed with great size across the board so speed and gang-tackling are the call to arms here.  Pick Central will be fast and shifty with lots of misdirection plays.  The Cardinals defense must get multiple defenders on the ball immediately.  This will limit big plays and should wear down the Tigers offense.

Bottom-Line
There are a lot of new starters on both sides of the ball for both teams.  For Colerain, the defense is almost completely new.  They are smaller than last year and certainly less experienced.  However, they are fast and should hit hard.  Offensively, the buzz surrounding this team is the return of QB LA Ramsby and RB Chris Davis, both from season-ending knee injuries in 2011.  Let’s not forget this team also returns two linemen (Wiseman and Werks) as well as unsung heroes in the backfield (Sorn and Smith-Moore).  Pickerington Central made it all the way to the State Title game last season, so playing Colerain in the Skyline Chili Crosstown showdown isn’t going to frighten or intimidate them.  The Cardinals must INSTILL that intimidation on them…and I think they can.  This team has a very business-like mentality and if they can limit mistakes (turnovers & penalties), they should have enough to beat a Pickerington Central Tigers team that is going to be a lot better in week 10 than it is in week 1.