Friday’s game
Who: Middletown Middies (2-2, 1-0 GMC) at Lakota East (3-1, 1-0 GMC)
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: ‘Hawks Nest, Lakota East High School
As the Middleotwn Middies try to rally and make their fourth straight trip to the playoffs, Middletown coach Troy Everhart looks at his squad and is reminded of one thing each day.
It is a new team with new faces. With that is going to come a few growing pains.
Play well against St. Xavier in a tough loss, play well against Springfield to get a win, not so good against Winton Woods and a split decision against Fairfield to get to 2-2.
“We have to continue the maturity of the team,” Everhart said as his squad prepares face 3-1 Lakota East tonight. “We have a lot of guys who haven’t seen varsity action before and we have to continue to develop the mindset and attitude we strive for. There is a little more coaching, a little more teaching going on right now.”
Part of that mindset is a strong four quarters.
Last week against Fairfield, the Middies held the Indians to three first downs in the first half and just 50 yards in total offense. In the second half, Fairfield scored 26 points and put up 250 yards in offense.
“We have got to stop the run for four quarters this week,” Everhart said. “I thought our kids gave great effort and it is fun to watch … hopefully we can put it all together.”
The Thunderhawks are averaging 271 yards on the ground and 321 overall. Will Mahone leads the squad with 394 yards rushing while Eric Eichler and Chamada Palmore have both topped 200 on the season.
“They should be undefeated,” Everhart said. “I was really impressed watching them. It is a tough task, they are so well coached and it is a point where we have to stop the run.”
The East defense, meanwhile, is allowing just 121 yards rushing a game and 124 through the air. Middletown’s offense clicks off 283 yards on the ground a game and 360 overall.
“Their defense is fundamentally sound,” Everhart said. “They’ve got better players playing at some positions, but boy do they have them playing hard.”
There is a lot on the line Friday night for both teams. One will move to 2-0 in the Greater Miami Conference race and there is the potential for a ton of computer points on the line.
However, Everhart is worried about the league first.
“The first thing we need to worry about is winning the league,” Everhart said. “We do that, and everything will take care of itself after that. Our big thing is: are you playing the best football you can and up until Friday night, I didn’t think we were.”
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