Fenwick, Talawanda seeking different answers

Former MML foes square off Friday night

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By John Bombatch, Staff Writer 12:59 PM Thursday, September 2, 2010

Two former league foes looking for early-season answers will collide tonight, Sept. 3, when Talawanda visits Fenwick.

The Falcons will see whether they can gain even more confidence in themselves. The Braves will be trying to find out what kind of team they have.

Fenwick had to rally from an early 8-0 deficit to defeat Oakwood on the road in Week 1 by a 33-8 margin. Talawanda was no match for Eaton’s wide-open passing attack and lost its opener 30-0.

Fenwick coach Fred Cranford has known Talawanda since the days when the two schools were part of the Mid-Miami League, and he’s treating the contest like there’s an MML title on the line.

“We know (Talawanda) might be reeling from last week, but we can’t overlook them,” Cranford said. “They’re a team that’s similar to Oakwood, but they’ve been plagued by some early-season injuries. That’ll cause problems for any team, but we know they are well-coached and they’ll be playing hard.”

Talawanda coach Mike Wright said Fenwick is almost a polar opposite of the pass-oriented team Talawanda faced a week ago.

“Eaton likes to spread you out and then throw the ball all over the field,” Wright said, “but Fenwick runs their Wing-T offense very, very effectively. They looked like they were in mid-season form last week. Stopping their running attack will definitely be a key for us. And hopefully we can catch a break or two and grab some turnovers, too.”

Eight Fenwick players rushed for 313 total yards last week on 38 carries. Joey Robertson (136 yards) and Jimmy Turvy (77) combined for 213 of those yards.

Wright said he’ll count on quarterback Casey Abrams to get the Braves on the scoreboard. Abrams completed 10 of 27 passes last week for 87 yards, but tossed two interceptions. Jake Hendricks gained 41 of those yards on two pass receptions.

While Cranford said he’d like to run the ball as effectively as Fenwick did last week, he’d like for first-year junior QB Austin Gearing to open up the Braves defense with a few passes, too.

“I think if we can establish out passing game early on, that will definitely open things up for our running game,” Cranford said.

“We’re going into this game just like we would any other game in the (Greater Catholic League),” Cranford added. “And that’s all we can ask of our kids.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2851 or jbombatch@coxohio.com.

Friday's Game

Who: Talawanda (0-1) at Fenwick (1-0)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Krusling Field, Fenwick High School

Note: Fenwick has won just two of the last 13 meetings in the series, including last year’s 63-28 triumph

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