Mount Vernon News

JOHNSTOWN — August and early September is that time of the year when Utica, Northridge and Johnstown renew long-standing rivalries and settle old grudges with some of their Licking County neighbors before they take on their Mid-Buckeye Conference rivals.

This Friday, Utica (1-1) visits Heath, Northridge (0-2) hosts Lakewood and Licking Heights is at Johnstown (0-2).

Utica coach Randy Felumlee sees the early interconference matches against his backyard rivals as a great opportunity and a different challenge.

“We’ve always played Heath since I’ve been coach here,” said Felumlee. “It’s always a big game, and they have a lot of skilled athletes. The thing that we see in Licking County teams more often is a wide-open offense than what you see in the MBC. The teams have more speed. Heath has tremendous team speed, so they are going to be a big challenge.”

Last week’s loss against another Licking County foe, Granville, gave Felumlee and the rest of the Redskins much food for thought.

“This week, we are trying to fix some of our own problems,” said Felumlee. “We were exposed last week. We’re trying to not give up the big plays. We gave up a lot of big pass plays last week, which was a big problem. We also turned the ball over three times, which is a big problem and that led to 21 of Granville’s points. We can’t do that against a team like Heath. Besides controlling their speed, we have to do a better job of taking care of the football.”

The Johnstown Johnnies, who already saw their fill of Heath in last week’s defeat, are looking for their first win of the 2008 campaign.

Coach Mike Carter, ever the optimist, sees these challenges as a good thing for his winless Johnnies.

“Just from our standpoint, the teams that we scrimmaged and the teams that we opened the season with are great teams with great tradition,” said Carter. “It gets you ready to play four quarters of football and that’s what is important. They know it’s going to be hard-nosed football and you’ve got to get out there and you’ve got to be ready to roll.”

Carter knows he has to help his team stay focused, despite the slow start.

“We have got to keep on track with what we believe in,” said Carter. “We have to make sure that the kids continue to work on the mistakes that they have been working on. We need to get better at tackling so we have been working real hard at that. We are working on making sure the kids keep their spirits up and keep practicing the basic, proper fundamentals of football — that’s the key no matter what.”

Northridge coach Tim Priest knows that the intensity of these games is rooted in an earlier time.

“If there’s any league that rivals the MBC, it was the old Licking County League,” said Priest. “That was pretty similar-type football — hard-nosed type football — so anytime we play a Licking County team, we get a pretty good crowd. These games help us prepare for the MBC because it’s such a similar type of football.”

Northridge has spent the first two weeks of its season trying to find the right combination on offense. After back-to-back losses to Coshocton and Hamilton Township to start the season, the winless Vikings look to right their ship against Lakewood.

“We’ve got to start executing on the offensive side of the ball,” said Priest. “I think that we have the talent to be a decent offensive team. Right now, we are playing with a lot of inexperience.”

Priest hopes that the Vikings will surprise a few MBC opponents this year.

“Every day we are getting better,” said Priest. “It’s hard to simulate your team’s needs against your jayvee, so, actually, they learn more on Friday nights than they do during the week as far as game speed and situations.”

In other area games, three Knox County teams will make their home debut on Friday night. Danville (1-1) returns home, trying to get back in the win column. The Blue Devils host Dalton (1-1) after losing a close one to Waynedale last week. Undefeated Fredericktown, fresh from trouncing Crestline in the road, opens at home against winless Colonel Crawford. After a pair of road losses, East Knox plays their home opener against hapless Millersport (0-2), which has been outscored, 70-3, in their first two games.

Centerburg (1-1) will host Columbus Academy (1-1), who nearly defeated a tough Bishop Hartley team last week. Loudonville (1-1) hosts undefeated Hillsdale. The Redbirds will try to find their first week winning ways after getting shutout last week.

The Highland Scots (1-1, 1-0 MOAC), who routed River Valley last week, visit powerful Mid-Ohio rival North Union (2-0, 2-0). Battered and bruised Clear Fork (1-1), coming off a losing effort against Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary’s, is at home against undefeated Olentangy Orange.