Print |
E-mail to a friend
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
South Point boasts experience, but 2008 schedule is challenging
SOUTH POINT, Ohio -- It is pretty clear the South Point Pointers are winning the battle of football strength of schedule in the Tri-State in 2008.
Unfortunately for head coach Doug Shilot, high school football is not the BCS.
In Ohio, if a team doesn't win, who they played doesn't matter.
Shilot and the Pointers open the 2008 season with a three-headed monster of non-conference games that includes Portsmouth, Wheelersburg and Portsmouth West.
"Obviously, our schedule is pretty tough to open with those three teams," Shilot said. "They all seemed to do really well in the preseason. We'll just take it one week at a time."
The action gets under way Friday when South Point travels to Portsmouth to take on the Trojans at Spartan Stadium. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
South Point has a ton of experience back. Shilot has seven starters returning on each side while several more have logged varsity action.
Offensively, Chase Kratzenburg will be under center, but his job will be much easier thanks to the trio of guys behind him.
Jacob Seagraves headlines the running backs, but teams can't sleep on Doug Dillon or Ryan Plants either.
Someone who might also make some noise is former Huntington High player Chase Woodson, a shifty runner and speed threat in the passing game.
In this matchup, the experience edge goes to the Pointers, who have 12 seniors taking the field.
Portsmouth coach Curt Clifford will take the field to start the season with 44 of his 60 players having one year or less of varsity football.
Sophomore Josh Myers will take over the reigns at quarterback, but he will have plenty of help around him.
It starts up front where the Trojans boast of two top-tier NCAA Division I linemen in John Prior and Nate Cadogan. Prior is a 6-foot-5, 285-pound left tackle who verbally committed to Florida State. Cadogan is a 6-7, 280-pound right tackle committed to Penn State.
"Those are two Division I football players and we have great respect for them as well as the guys around them," Shilot said. "I'm sure they'll have their team ready to play Friday night."
Myers also has the luxury of three experienced receivers returning. Malik White and Fo Johnson combined for 80 catches, 1350 yards and 11 touchdowns a year ago as the Trojans averaged 38 points per game en route to an 8-3 record.
However, the team averaged less than 20 points a game in its three losses.
"You win football games playing good defense, but overall they have really good team speed," Shilot said. "(Myers) throws the ball well on the run and he doesn't seem to get too rattled. They can score from anywhere on the field."
Friday night games
Ironton at Wheelersburg
Portsmouth West at Fairland
Chesapeake at Oak Hill
Coal Grove at Meigs
South Point at Portsmouth
Zane Trace at Rock Hill
Southern at Symmes Valley
River Valley at Minford
Gallipolis at Athens
Waterford at South Gallia
Manchester at Green
