Eastwood is looking to avenge a recent string of losses to Genoa this year, but will have to do it behind a young squad.

In this, the 53rd edition of a rivalry that dates back to when both teams were in the Northern Lakes League, Eastwood (2-2) coach Jerry Rutherford believes his team can give the Comets (4-0) a battle this year, now that they have some experience behind them.

“It took us a while to develop an identity, but I think we’re on track,” said Rutherford.

It was Rutherford who took over the team’s defense this year for the first time in his long tenure.

“It’s been an adjustment for me, but I’ve enjoyed it,” he said. “I’ve always been involved with the defense, but not to this level. I would say it’s been interesting – a lot of fun.”

The defense was very young to begin the season with only two defensive linemen, one part-time linebacker, and one strong safety returning from last year.

“We basically started from scratch,” Rutherford said. “Last Friday (Otsego), we started three seniors, so we’re pretty young.”

Thus, at the beginning of the season, Rutherford planned on getting a lot of guys playing time. He even dabbled with the thought of having 22 starters.

While that hasn’t worked out, Rutherford said it worked out for the players.

“It allowed guys to develop that may not have gotten the chance,” he said.

The veteran coach is still playing a lot of guys. In the Eagle’s game against Woodmore last Friday night, he expected to see about three players on both sides of the ball.

Eastwood had four offensive linemen return this season in front of new quarterback Matt Klink, who beat out Kyle Dierker for the job before the season started. However, Dierker is now a starting wide receiver for the Eagles.

Rutherford said his staff felt Klink was the best option. His stats, 13 for 26 for 195 yards, show that the Eagles only pass about six to seven times a game, but Rutherford said he has done a nice job.

He also feels that Klink and the rest of the team didn’t have much time to develop due to Eastwood’s tough early season schedule. They lost a tough opener 21-17 versus Clyde on a touchdown in the last two minutes. Clyde hasn’t lost this season.

Week two saw a victory over Rossford. Then, in week three, Rutherford said the team didn’t play well against the run in a loss to Oak Harbor before defeating Otsego in the fourth week.

In week six, the Comets come to town and Rutherford knows his team must play at their best as Genoa is undefeated and coming off a solid win over Woodmore.

“We felt Woodmore was an improved team, so the fact that we won in such a dominant fashion said some good things about our team,” Genoa head coach Mike Vicars said. “I thought our offensive line was very good. They gave Josh Bryer a lot of time to throw and our running game was very good.”

Vicars said he was also pleased with his defense.

“Defensively, we pitched another shutout,” he said. “So, that alone says something great. I thought Coach Buckley’s defensive backs were exceptional all night long. Casey Wojo was really good on the defensive front, and Matt Murphy had a very exciting interception return for a score.”

Thus, Genoa is in good shape so far, and Rutherford recognizes where Genoa’s program is at right now.

“To look what Mike’s been able to do in three and a half years, he’s basically turned the program around,” he said. “Right now they’ve won about 33 regular season games in a row. No one’s beat them in three years in the league.”

Rutherford said his players know it will be a huge test and will require their best effort.

“We will have to play our best football,” he said. “We can’t make mistakes on either side of the ball. We have to play a perfect game.”  

In the last three seasons, Genoa is 3-1 versus Eastwood, with Eastwood’s one win coming in the state playoffs two seasons ago. Genoa has won the last three regular season games — 21-14, 24-0, and 54-11 and mixed in there is a 14-7 playoff win by Eastwood in 2007. From 1999-2006, Eastwood won eight straight, but Genoa leads the series all-time 29 to 23.

Rutherford believes the rivalry is the way it is because other teams have been down in the league.

“We really have a lot of respect for Coach Rutherford and his staff and team,” Vicars said. “We know it will be a great game and clearly this game is a big step in determining the final SLL champion. It is a rivalry game, but a game of tremendous respect.”

The winner of the Eastwood-Genoa game has decided the league the last few seasons. However, Rutherford feels that other teams are getting better.

“(The Eastwood-Genoa) game will always be big, but I think there are going to be some other schools coming on,” Rutherford said. “As the other teams start getting better, the game won’t decide the league.”

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed