Series record: First meeting
Last week: Glencoe 19, Etowah 6; Geraldine 35, Crossville 12
By Gene Stanley/Messenger Sports Correspondent
Geraldine is known for its toughness and running ability.
With alumnus Tim Arnold as head coach, that hasn’t changed.
However – isn’t there always a ‘however’ when it comes to the state playoffs? – the Bulldogs are capable of hurting you via the pass if you try to stack the box and stuff the run.
“They’ve got the best offense we’ve seen,” Glencoe coach Lee Ozmint said. “They do what they have to do. If you take away the run, they have a good passing game; if you try to guard against the pass, Michael Davis will tear you up. He’s a really good back. They can score from anywhere on the field.”
Last week against Crossville, Geraldine quarterback Jake Maddox threw touchdown passes of 84, 60 and 45 yards against a defense that started the game with eight men in the box.
Meanwhile – isn’t there always a meanwhile, too? – Davis ran for 141 yards to finish the regular season with 1,002 yards and 19 rushing touchdowns. He scored three times last week, once on a pass play.
As always, the Bulldogs will sport the double-wing formation.
“They have a lot of motion in the backfield,” Ozmint said. “You can get lost looking at the circus and forget where the ball is. We’ve got to focus and not let all that motion get to us.”
And if you think the Bulldogs offense is tough, check out the defense.
Against Crossville, Marcus Davis, Jeremy Smith and Jakob Boman each had an interception and the Bulldogs grabbed two Lions fumbles.
“Their defense is very quick to the ball and is always in the right place,” Ozmint said.
With losses only to Fyffe and Sardis and both of them close games, the Bulldogs have had an exemplary season.
“They’re No. 1 in their region for a reason,” Ozmint said. “And we’re probably No. 4 in ours for a reason. But we’re not working as hard as we are and preparing like we are to go up there and just make a good showing. We’re going up there with every reason to think we can win.”
As Ozmint said, Glencoe is a good team when it takes care of business – a la last week’s win over Class 5A Etowah.
“We’re not worried about Geraldine as much as we’re worried about Glencoe,” he said. “When we block and tackle and take care of the ball, we’re a pretty good football team.”
Last week against the Blue Devils, Thomas Ozmint rushed for 85 yards on 23 carries, while Daniel Otwell added 40 yards and two touchdowns on 13 attempts.
Hunter Nunnally completed 11-of-20 passes for 118 yards, while Austin Hancock and Daylon Freeman each had four receptions.
Mason Brown had 13 tackles, followed by Dalton Reid and Pace Ozmint with eight each.
Hancock, Freeman and Houston Word each had an interception.