For almost every team, the first few games of the year set the tone for the rest of the season. Last year, Trimble High School was an exception to that rule.
After losing four of their first five games, the Tomcats finished 2009 on a five-game winning streak and almost squeaked into a playoff spot, finishing 12th in Division VI, Region 23.
This season, coach Phil Faires and his team will look to avoid the poor start that destroyed last year's attempt at a playoff berth.
We had some fluke plays that hurt us (in the early games) last year
Faires said.
Trimble lost its opener to Nelsonville-York last year, 7-6. The Tomcats scored first but missed the extra point, and the Buckeyes scored the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter.
The next week against Alexander, both teams scored five touchdowns, but Trimble missed three extra points and lost 35-32 to the Spartans.
It wasn't the kicker as much as it was the line in front of the kicker Faires said. We need to work on our special teams as a whole.
Faires mentioned the high quality of his early opponents last year, and this season's schedule is loaded again in the first month.
The Tomcats host conference newcomer Wahama (Mason, W.V.) in week two and Dawson-Bryant in week four - teams that both made the playoffs last year and had a combined 17-3 regular-season record. And their season starts Friday in Nelsonville for a rematch with the Buckeyes.
We play some good teams off the bat Faires said. It's all about getting off to a good start.
The offense will be led senior running back Tyler Dyla. The reigning Tri-Valley Conference-Hocking Offensive Player of the Year was also a Division VI First Team All-Ohio selection last season, in which he rushed for 1,406 yards and nine touchdowns.
Faires said despite Dyla's talent, he doesn't want the offense to revolve around the running game.
We try to mix it up
he said. It will probably be 60 percent run
40 percent pass
but we like to throw the ball a lot.
Dyla will be helped out in the backfield by a two-quarterback system. Both junior Justin Jewell and senior Charles Kish will see time under center. Fullback Austin Keith also returns as Dyla's main blocker.
As a coach who likes to play a lot of players, Faires is granted many options on this year's defense.
Leading the way on that side of the ball is a veteran core of linebackers in Kish, Johnny Stobart and Eric Tutman.
We probably played 16-17 kids last year
and we have about 12 coming back
he said.
For the Tomcats to have a chance at the playoffs, the first few weeks of the season are vital. But Faires said he's not concerned with checking the weekly computer rankings.
All that stuff's out of our hands
he said. We're just going to go out and try to win. I've never seen a 10-0 team miss the playoffs.
Follow on Twitter: @VinceMNairn, @ThePostSports
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