Hilliard Darby (1-0) at Dublin Jerome (1-0)
Panthers expect to show offensive diversity against Celtics
The Hilliard Darby High School football team ran the ball so effectively in a 49-7 opening win over
Garfield Heights last Friday that senior quarterback Matt Allen was called upon to throw the ball
only three times.
However, Darby coach John Santagata said the Panthers likely will need to pass more often Friday when they play at Dublin Jerome in the Spielman Gridiron Classic. Jerome opened last Friday with a 28-0 win at Reynoldsburg.
"Obviously, we want to run the football well again, but Dublin Jerome is more disciplined defensively than Garfield Heights, so we'll have to work our play-action and passing game in a little more to be successful against them," Santagata said.
Running behind an experienced group of linemen, Darby's spread option offense amassed 301 rushing yards on 48 carries. In just two quarters of work, Allen completed all three of his passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 23 yards and two more scores. Sophomore running back Caleb Day rushed for 68 yards and two touchdowns on four carries and had a 27-yard touchdown reception.
Senior fullback Matt Cyrus, who was Darby's leading rusher with 608 yards and 11 touchdowns on 132 carries last year, didn't play offensive last Friday, but Santagata said Cyrus will carry the ball if needed.
Jerome's 3-4 defense, led by junior linebacker Austin Duncan, senior linebackers Connor OBrien and Josh Vrandenburg, senior cornerback Chris Osbun and junior cornerback Cameron Wilson, gave up only 120 yards of offense against Reynoldsburg, which also utilizes an option offense.
Celtics coach Mark Hundley has told his defensive linemen, led by seniors Jack Beebe and Jeff Keller and sophomore Alec Hood, that they will need to tie up Darby's linemen at the point of attack, so the linebackers and backs can move freely to make tackles.
"Hilliard Darby mostly likes to run right at you, just like Reynoldsburg, so we've got to meet them head on and make tackles," Beebe said. "Our first goal is to stop their running game, because that's what they're best at."
Jerome senior quarterback Ryan Gannon said the Celtics' offense will switch between shotgun spread, I- and jumbo formations to utilize each of its weapons and keep the Panthers' 50 Shade defense off balance.
Last Friday, Gannon was 7-for-13 passing for 207 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Jordan Bonifas. The Celtics also rushed for 209 yards, led by sophomore running back Donovan Wilson, who ran for 84 yards and two touchdowns on 24 attempts.
"We definitely like to mix things up to make defenses have to prepare for so many options and players," Gannon said. "I'm confident that our playmakers will make big plays when I put the ball in their hands. The biggest thing is we need to protect the ball, because there's a huge momentum swing every time there's a turnover. Just look at what happened in their first game. Garfield Heights made some mistakes and they took advantage of them."
Darby's defense held Garfield Heights to 70 yards of offense through three quarters and forced six turnovers that set up four touchdowns before the Panthers' defensive backups gave up a touchdown against the Bulldogs' starters in the fourth quarter.
Santagata said his defense is preparing for each style of offense that Jerome has used in the past.
"Jerome has an experienced quarterback and they do a number of different things well," Santagata said. "Our kids have to be aware of their formations and tendencies, and they need to line up properly and follow their assignments."
However, Darby coach John Santagata said the Panthers likely will need to pass more often Friday when they play at Dublin Jerome in the Spielman Gridiron Classic. Jerome opened last Friday with a 28-0 win at Reynoldsburg.
"Obviously, we want to run the football well again, but Dublin Jerome is more disciplined defensively than Garfield Heights, so we'll have to work our play-action and passing game in a little more to be successful against them," Santagata said.
Running behind an experienced group of linemen, Darby's spread option offense amassed 301 rushing yards on 48 carries. In just two quarters of work, Allen completed all three of his passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 23 yards and two more scores. Sophomore running back Caleb Day rushed for 68 yards and two touchdowns on four carries and had a 27-yard touchdown reception.
Senior fullback Matt Cyrus, who was Darby's leading rusher with 608 yards and 11 touchdowns on 132 carries last year, didn't play offensive last Friday, but Santagata said Cyrus will carry the ball if needed.
Jerome's 3-4 defense, led by junior linebacker Austin Duncan, senior linebackers Connor OBrien and Josh Vrandenburg, senior cornerback Chris Osbun and junior cornerback Cameron Wilson, gave up only 120 yards of offense against Reynoldsburg, which also utilizes an option offense.
Celtics coach Mark Hundley has told his defensive linemen, led by seniors Jack Beebe and Jeff Keller and sophomore Alec Hood, that they will need to tie up Darby's linemen at the point of attack, so the linebackers and backs can move freely to make tackles.
"Hilliard Darby mostly likes to run right at you, just like Reynoldsburg, so we've got to meet them head on and make tackles," Beebe said. "Our first goal is to stop their running game, because that's what they're best at."
Jerome senior quarterback Ryan Gannon said the Celtics' offense will switch between shotgun spread, I- and jumbo formations to utilize each of its weapons and keep the Panthers' 50 Shade defense off balance.
Last Friday, Gannon was 7-for-13 passing for 207 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Jordan Bonifas. The Celtics also rushed for 209 yards, led by sophomore running back Donovan Wilson, who ran for 84 yards and two touchdowns on 24 attempts.
"We definitely like to mix things up to make defenses have to prepare for so many options and players," Gannon said. "I'm confident that our playmakers will make big plays when I put the ball in their hands. The biggest thing is we need to protect the ball, because there's a huge momentum swing every time there's a turnover. Just look at what happened in their first game. Garfield Heights made some mistakes and they took advantage of them."
Darby's defense held Garfield Heights to 70 yards of offense through three quarters and forced six turnovers that set up four touchdowns before the Panthers' defensive backups gave up a touchdown against the Bulldogs' starters in the fourth quarter.
Santagata said his defense is preparing for each style of offense that Jerome has used in the past.
"Jerome has an experienced quarterback and they do a number of different things well," Santagata said. "Our kids have to be aware of their formations and tendencies, and they need to line up properly and follow their assignments."
At a glance
- When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
- Last meeting: 2009, Darby 28-25
- Darby (1-0) to date: Defeated Garfield Heights 49-7
- Jerome (1-0) to date: Def. Reynoldsburg 28-0
- Top Panthers: Matt Allen (QB), Blake Clowes (OL/DL), Matt Cyrus (RB/LB), Caleb Day (WR/DB), Sufyan El-Geroushi (OL/DL) and Zack Hoyt (RB/DB)
- Top Celtics: Austin Duncan (LB), Ryan Gannon (QB), Connor O'Brien (LB), Chris Osbun (DB), Cameron Wilson (DB) and Josh Vrandenburg (LB)
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