MOUNT VERNON — Fredericktown coach Brian Baum likes the idea of challenging his team early in the season. Playing tough teams in the nonconference portion of the schedule can only help your team get better as it prepares for league play.
The Freddies played three tough nonconference games this year, falling twice. But, those games have helped prepare the Freddies for their biggest challenge — defending their title in the Mid-Buckeye Conference.
Fredericktown passed the first major challenge last week, holding off a hard-charging Danville squad, 28-26. This week, the challenge gets even tougher — undefeated Johnstown. The teams will square off Friday at 7 p.m. at Johnstown.
“We’re still developing as a team, but I’m real pleased with the effort,” Baum said. “We’re getting after it again. We had a couple of setbacks early, but we’ve rebounded. Now, we expect to win and play our brand of football.
“This is another league championship game. Every game is, but this one’s really tough. ... Johnstown is a solid, physical football team.”
The Johnnies (5-0 overall, 2-0 MBC) have proven to be an offensive juggernaut this year, averaging 44 points a game, while racking up 422 yards rushing per contest.
