Cougars, Braves just wanting a win

Both rivals have struggled with new schemes, personnel.

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1:11 AM Friday, October 21, 2011

By Chris Vogt

Contributing Writer

TRENTON — The records indicate that the Edgewood and Talawanda football teams aren’t where they want to be heading into the final two weeks of the season. But both teams’ coaches would be happy campers if their players put together 48 minutes of football.

The Cougars take on the Braves tonight in a Fort Ancient Valley Conference Scarlet Division rivalry showdown at Kumler Field.

“We’ll prepare for Talawanda just like we would prepare for anybody else,” Edgewood coach Phil Mauro said. “Everybody on our schedule we have respect for. We just hope to go in and play well.”

“We just want to try and put ourselves in the position in the fourth quarter to win a football game,” Talawanda coach Mike Wright said.

The Cougars (2-6, 1-2 FAVC Scarlet) are playing their fourth and final home game of the season. Edgewood is 2-1 at Kumler Field.

The Braves (0-8, 0-3) still are searching for an answer. Talawanda has lost 11 games in a row and is 1-17 dating back to last season.

“Our season has not gone how anybody wanted it to go obviously,” Wright said. “We’re still playing for that win.”

Not only are both programs looking to play well, but they’re still trying to adapt to their own scheme and personnel changes.

Eric Pelfrey has given the Cougars a boost on offense at quarterback, while the “perimeter players have put in decent performances as well,” Mauro said. Pelfrey, a junior, provided a spark in Edgewood’s 21-7 loss at Northwest a week ago.

“We’re looking forward to a great challenge on Friday night,” Mauro said. “Our seniors and juniors have provided great leadership, and I expect them to go out there and play hard.”

The Braves are continuing to adjust from a pistol style of offense to a more ball-controlled type. Talawanda was shut out by Mount Healthy last week in the Braves’ last ever game at Bowers Field.

“Edgewood is just as big of a rival to us than anybody. They’re a backyard rival,” Wright said. “I think our kids get excited about that a little bit. I’m thinking that will make us focus a lot harder than what we have been.”

The closest Talawanda has come to beating Edgewood in recent years is a 34-31 contest in 2007.

Both teams have struggled on both sides of the ball.

Talawanda ranks at the bottom of the 17-team FAVC in scoring offense (9.0 points per game) and yards per game (149.5). Edgewood is 12th (19.5 ppg, 263.8 ypg) in both categories.

The Braves are tied for 16th in scoring defense (40.1 ppg), while the Cougars are 12th (23.0 ppg).

Today’s game

Who: Talawanda (0-8, 0-3 FAVC Scarlet) at Edgewood (2-6, 1-2 FAVC Scarlet)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Kumler Field, 5005 Ohio 73, Trenton

Last year’s result: Edgewood won 33-0

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