Alexandra Clark contributes 2nd article for New Albany-Floyd Central Sectional Showdown

October 29, 2010

RIVAL SPORTS TV



If one were to look up the football definition for “right guard” it would say something to the likes of, a right guard’s job is to protect the quarterback from defensive lineman, and linebackers during pass plays.

It does not, however, say anything about running the ball.

Two weeks ago, Floyd Central High School senior Dylan Jenney re-defined what a starting right guard is all about. With their running back, lead rusher Kyle Bramble out due to a hurt ankle, Coach Brian Glesing saw fit to appoint Jenney to be running back for the New Albany vs. Floyd Central game - to which Jenney responded with an amazing 287 yards on 30 carries.

The teams each made plays left and right, competing for the coveted Anchor trophy. Both the Bulldogs and Highlanders put up an intense fight, and ended with the Highlanders claiming victory with a score of 61-60. It is safe to say that a majority of that win is due to Jenney, who surprised everyone by breaking a stereotype, and setting new standards.

Jenney, who is typically used to help running backs gain yards, got the opportunity to experience what it is like to run the ball down the field and hear hundreds of friends and family screaming his name.

“Kyle was out so coach asked me to be running back. I stepped in and stepped up to make up for Kyle’s absence. It felt awesome because I never thought I was going to be able to run the ball, and when I got the chance it felt really good,” said Jenney.

Not only was the idea of winning back the Anchor trophy an incentive to the Highlanders to conquer arch rival New Albany, but the declining temperature was as well. With the air getting colder, it would have been easy for Floyd Central to give in and submit to their exhaustion. 

Jenney described the game as difficult, but rewarding because overcoming the cold and fatigue meant that after two years the Anchor was finally back in their hands.

“Winning that game showed that we’re pretty good, and now we get to go to sectionals. We’re all really excited. We want to try and redeem ourselves for a bad defensive performance and have a better win. We’re working really hard at practice and trying to fix things that went wrong the last game.”

Senior corner back Brett Zoll agreed that the entire team is pumping with enthusiasm since Jenney’s impressive show at the New Albany vs. Floyd Central game.

 “We were all excited because Dylan got the chance to show how good he was to everybody. We were happy that now we have another threat as running back because now we know that we could win without Kyle, and that we’d be that much better with him,” said Zoll.

Zoll and Jenney described the atmosphere in the locker room after the game as joyful and chaotic. Zoll also said that it was evident that they have a greater chance of beating New Albany again for the Sectional game to progress into the Sectional Championship.

“It’s going to be really close again, and whoever makes the fewest mistakes will win. We both have really high powered offenses,” said Zoll.

Jenney also stated that he thought Floyd Central would have played better if they would have had stronger defense.

“We want to redeem ourselves this next game for a bad defensive performance and have a better win. We’re working really hard at practice and are trying to fix things that went wrong the last game.”

When asked about his personal strengths and weaknesses as a starting right guard, Jenney revealed that not being the biggest player has caused tribulations for not only him personally, but the team itself.

“A weakness of mine is probably my size. I go against a lot of bigger people, and a strength of mine would be that I’m quicker than most people I go up against. One thing New Albany has that we don’t have is speed. But we’re all disciplined and do what’s best for the team,” said Jenney.

Jenney has high hopes for this Friday’s game, including possibly running the ball more than the last rival game against New Albany. Jenney repeatedly had run 287 yards on 30 carries, making that game the highlight of his football career.

Zoll agreed with Jenney’s statement, and said that the team is optimistic about Friday night, along with having a lot of willpower to beat New Albany a second time.

“Our determination to win helps us get over the size gap that we have since we’re not really big or anything. We make up for it by being tough,” said Zoll.
               
As for Jenney, being disappointed going back to his starting right guard position is not a problem. He said he always sees the glass half full, and is content with where he is.                   

“I’ll be back to right guard the next game. It’s my job to be guard, and it’s what I’ve been doing so I’m fine with going back. I don’t think we have this game in the bag Friday; it’s always a tough game against New Albany. Our offense is fine, and defense is our only problem for the most part, but I think it will be different this time.”