Midway, Rockwood set to clash

By GOOSE LINDSAY

rcsports@bellsouth.net

With Harriman and Kingston out of the way, Midway and Rockwood will take center stage Friday night as the Green Wave and Tigers will duke it out in a huge county showdown at Rockwood’s Civitan Field.

Oliver Springs is also in action Friday night as the Bobcats will travel to Englewood to take on McMinn Central.

Oliver Springs (0-1) at McMinn Central (1-0)

The Bobcats will have their paws full Friday night as they hit the road to take on the defending Region 3-AAA champion Chargers, who opened the season with an impressive 34-13 victory over Loudon. In that game, the Chargers led 21-0 at halftime and they out gained the Redskins by more than 150 yards.

If Oliver Springs can find a way to slow down the Chargers then the Bobcats’ offense should be able to move the ball with RBs Curtis Davis and Coty Lively leading the way. Oliver Springs also showed off a solid passing game last week as QB C.J. Pointer threw for 133 yards with Jonathan Thornton hauling in more than 100 yards on six receptions.

Goose’s Gander

McMinn Central handled Oliver Springs with ease last year and will be heavy favorites again Friday night. Oliver Springs’ offense could keep them in the game, but they gave up 40 points last week against Silverdale and they can’t afford to get into a shootout... McMinn Central 35 Oliver Springs 20.

Midway (1-0) at Rockwood (0-1)

A large crowd and a close game are expected at Rockwood’s Civitan Field Friday.

Rockwood enters the game looking to establish their identity as John Webb’s squad missed out on some chances during last week’s loss at Oneida. Midway, on the other hand, knows who their stars are and what they must do to win, but recent history is against them as Craig Moser’s squad has knocked off the Tigers only once this decade.

If Midway is to win Friday night then their defense must step up. In last year’s loss to the Tigers, Rockwood put 42 points on the board as the Tigers unleashed an unexpected passing attack that lit up the Green Wave defense.

Rockwood will have to be balanced if they are to win this week.

The Tigers ran the ball well at times last week at Oneida with Josh Brock and Jeff Inman leading the way, but they weren’t able to break any long runs. Rockwood did score a touchdown through the air last week, but they completed just 4 of 18 passes as they couldn’t sustain drives.

For Midway, the Green Wave will look to keep the Tiger defense off balance by using multiple formations that will feature the 1-2-3 ground punch of RBs Ray Robinson and Will Poe along with QB Quinton Pressley. Midway, however, can make plays through the air with Pressley and freshman Thomas Viar looking for Wakon Roberson.

Goose’s Gander

Both defenses will be tested this week as Midway has been a scoring machine the last couple of years and Rockwood will without a doubt not make the same mistakes they made against Oneida. Midway has more than enough weapons to get the job done, but the Tigers seem to have their number... Rockwood 21 Midway 19.

Goose’s Gander on other games of interest: Oneida by 1 over Hampton, Greenback by 35 over Hancock County, Coalfield by 7 over Wartburg, Sunbright by 14 over Jellico, Alcoa by 2 over Maryville, CAK by 7 over Cherokee, Loudon by 1 over Lenoir City, Sweetwater by 20 over Tellico Plains, Knoxville Catholic by 42 over Stone Memorial, Anderson County by 3 over Clinton, Oak Ridge by 20 over Fulton, Webb by 2 over Austin-East, Scott by 21 over Gibbs, Trousdale County by 28 over Livingston Academy. Last Week 12-2; Overall 12-2.