ON TAP TODAY: ATHENS FOOTBALL HITS ROAD FOR CANTON IN WEEK 2 (2020-09-18)
Valley Sports ReportTHE VALLEY "” Athens opened the season with a 10-7 win over defending NTL Small School champion Sayre last Friday. Tonight, the Wildcats face the preseason pick to be the best team in the NTL this season - Canton.
Like Athens, which beat Sayre, 10-7, the Warriors are coming off a win over its arch-rival Troy, a thrilling come-from-behind, 34-28, overtime victory.
Longtime Athens coach Jack Young says it's like going from "the frying pan to the fire," especially in the age of Covid-19.
"It would be nice to have them at home," he said. "We're going to travel all alone Friday night - no fans, no cheerleaders, no band."
On top of that, Young said the Warriors are a top-notch squad.
"They are a good, solid football team. They have tremendous team speed."
WHEN ATHENS HAS THE BALLThe Warriors held Troy, which averaged an obscene 352.1 yards per game on the ground, to 183 yards. They held junior Damien Landon, who had 2,232 yards in 2019, to 79 yards.
"Defensively, they are all over the field," said Young. "They are going to put a ton of heat on us up front.
"We're going to see straight man, and they are going to be in our face," the noted. "It doesn't really matter if they have, four, five, or six guys on the line defensively, they're still pretty much doing the same thing - bringing a lot of heat, and daring you to beat them.
"Our pass protection has to be ready to go, and our running game has to be better," he added. "We have to be able to run the ball, and try to attack their pressure."
WHEN CANTON HAS THE BALLThe Warriors scored two TDS in the final four minutes to force overtime last Friday, then junior QB Cooper Kitchen, who completed 15 of 30 passes for 165 yards and three TDs, scored on a 5-yard TD run in overtime for the win.
Senior Tim Ward, who battled back from cancer, only to tear his ACL in the preseason, suited up and played the first half against Troy before aggravating the injury. He is not expected to play this week.
"Offensively, they're trying to find their way ... they have a lot of athletes, and a big receiver target in Ben Knapp.," said Young. "It's a shame Timmy (Ward) is hurt. I feel horrible for him.
"Even without Timmy Ward, they are a tough bunch," added Young.
The Warriors ran for just 84 yards in their win over Troy.
"They've been really, really spread. I think we might see more of a pro-style offense if Timmy (Ward) is not playing," said Young. "They'll still be pretty spread out on the field.
"They have a young quarterback in Cooper Kitchen, and they have a bunch of athlete they can use," he added. "Their primary target now is the big tight end (Ben Knapp)."
Knapp, who will be a preferred walk-on at Penn State next year, is a 6-7 tight end. He had three receptions for 52 yards and a TD last week.
"We're going to have sick a bunch of little gnats after him," laughed Young. "We definitely don't have the size to match up with him. We're just going to have to be careful, and pay attention where he's at because they do move him around.
"They even try to get him the ball quick a little bit," added Young. "He's a big target, and he's athletic. He's definitely a difference-maker."
Kick-off is at 7 p.m. at Miller A. Moyer Field.
