Cougars control their own destiny

Sitting atop the FAVC Scarlet, Edgewood travels to Mt. Healthy.

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1:28 AM Friday, October 7, 2011

By Rick Cassano

Staff Writer

TRENTON — A banner is still within Edgewood High School’s football grasp.

The Cougars are only 2-4 overall, but they’re 1-0 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference Scarlet Division and face a big road contest tonight against Mt. Healthy.

“We’re real positive,” first-year Edgewood coach Phil Mauro said. “We control what we do in the league. We don’t have to count on anybody.”

The Cougars hammered Norwood 54-21 last week with junior Eric Pelfrey at quarterback. He moved to that position in Week 5, sending classmate Mason Back to slotback.

The switch has worked out well so far. Pelfrey is 15-of-33 for 400 yards and five touchdowns. Back, now playing cornerback and returning kicks, has caught four passes for 203 yards and three scores.

“Mason is very athletic and very instinctive,” Mauro said. “I think Eric feels a little bit more comfortable playing quarterback.”

Edgewood is still running the spread offense, but it’s looking a little different. Beyond the QB position, junior A.J. Pieratt has become the primary runner since the Cougars lost junior David Jones to a season-ending shoulder injury. The linemen have also seen some changes.

“We’re just not pulling and trapping and leading quite as much,” Mauro said. “We’re running more zone schematically, which has been positive for our guys up front. It kind of works into their athletic strengths.”

Tonight’s opponent is coming off consecutive 13-7 losses to Loveland and Northwest. Mt. Healthy is strong defensively, allowing just 205.5 yards and 12.2 points per game.

“They’ve caused a lot of turnovers, especially in their wins,” Mauro said. “We have concerns about their team speed.”

Sophomore twin brothers Justin and Jordan Lackey lead the Owls’ 4-3 defense. Justin is a 5-foot-8, 175-pound end. Jordan is a 5-8, 165-pound linebacker.

“We’re still a good football team,” Mt. Healthy coach Arvie Crouch said. “The bottom line for us is just concerning ourselves with ourselves. We need to do our job. Be fast. Be physical. Keep it simple.”

Junior Greg Green (38-of-75, 541 yards) and senior Michael Tucker (17-of-38, 243 yards) have both played quarterback. Crouch said Tucker will start tonight, but Green may see some action.

Mt. Healthy uses a run-based spread. Junior Eric Davis has gained 308 yards on 68 carries.

“Offensively, we’ve sputtered for the last couple weeks,” Crouch said. “We’re going back to the basics. We’re trying to get back to running the ball and taking care of it.”

Today’s game

Who: Edgewood Cougars (2-4, 1-0 Fort Ancient Valley Conference Scarlet Division) at Mt. Healthy Owls (4-2, 0-1 FAVC Scarlet)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Owls Nest, 8101 Hamilton Ave., Mt. Healthy

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