All signs point to success for the Trimble football program. The Tomcats have cruised through their last five games, righting the ship that nearly went under in week two, where Trimble suffered its second straight loss.
Last week against Belpre, the Tomcats had arguably their best game of the season, containing the Eagles en route to a 54-0 rout.
“They made a lot of mistakes,” Trimble coach Phil Faires said. “Having a young quarterback, they really couldn’t get anything going offensively. I think they had only three first downs and three total yards for the game.
“Our defense did a pretty good job,” Faires said.
Offensively, the Tomcats were equally impressive, rocking Belpre’s defense both through the air and on the ground.
“Austin Keith had 10 carries for 160-some yards and (Justin) Jewell threw for 160-some also,” Faires said. “Brice Smathers had two scores, including a 60-yard run.”
For the past two weeks Trimble has been working to even out its offense, moving toward a balanced running and passing game.
This week against Southern, the Tomcats will likely have to revert back to their old ways, relying on backs Keith and Smathers to pound the ball. Less-than-perfect weather will likely keep Jewell’s deep threat, Konnor Standley, at bay.
The Tornadoes sit at 2-6 this season and fell to Waterford by 13 last week. Faires said that Belpre uses a similar formation to that of his crew.
He also noted that his team has practiced at full-tilt this week because of the rain and is nursing several injuries.
Aside from the permanently sidelined J.D. Chasser, Faires said that Jacob Koons, a fullback, might be held from competition Friday depending on how his injury develops.
Results from Trimble’s bout with Southern will be available Friday night at www.thepost.ohio.edu.
