Cougars’ rush attack too much for Braves

Mesoraco's slam sends Reds over Braves
7:38 a.m.
Lost chances cost Cougars
5/25/12
Badin advances to regional final
5/25/12
West hopes to keep winning
5/25/12
Is third time the charm for senior?
5/25/12
> More sports headlines

By Rick Cassano, Staff Writer 1:45 AM Saturday, October 17, 2009

TRENTON — A cold, rainy night proved to be a bright ray of sunshine for Edgewood High School’s football team.

This season hasn’t been close to what the Cougars expected, but their goals of winning the Fort Ancient Valley Conference Scarlet Division title and earning a Division II playoff berth are still very much alive.

Tony Davis scored three touchdowns as Edgewood rushed for 340 yards and bulldozed visiting Talawanda 34-7 on Friday, Oct. 16, at Kumler Field.

“We haven’t been like that forever,” said Davis, a junior wingback and cornerback. “The attitude changed this week. The coaches separated us into groups and talked to us about the season. We talked about keeping each other up. We just have to keep playing with our heart.”

Davis only ran the ball three times for 46 yards, but he scored on two of those runs and snagged a 25-yard TD pass from running back Justin Elder.

Elder also scampered for a score and had an interception for the Cougars, who moved to 3-5 overall. They’re 2-1 and tied for first place with Ross and Mount Healthy in the FAVC Scarlet.

“Tonight was the type of football we’re capable of playing and the type of football we like to play,” Edgewood coach Steve Channell said. “Our kids and coaches have stayed the course, and we all kept putting the effort in. We still have a chance to do some things, and we’re going to keep making the effort.”

It was a dismal evening for the Braves (1-7, 1-2), who managed 28 yards in the first half and 114 overall.

Talawanda avoided the shutout when backup quarterback Taylor Bucher ran for a touchdown with 5:36 left.

“It’s kind of been like this all year,” Braves coach Mike Wright said. “You turn the ball over and give up field position, and you don’t win football games doing that. I was a little disappointed in our effort tonight. This is a rivalry that typically brings out the best in us, and tonight I don’t think it did.”

Tommy Thacker had an interception and Brian Justice recovered a fumble for the Cougars. Offensively, Edgewood ran at will behind senior Kyle Root, who totaled a game-high 84 yards on 17 carries in his first start at fullback.

“Just north and south, smashmouth football,” Davis said. “We were going to do that until they stopped us, and tonight they didn’t.”

Dean Estes added a TD run for EHS. Elder had seven rushes for 56 yards before aggravating a leg injury late in the second period.

Share this article