Zooming in on a focal point
Published 2:59 am Thursday, September 24, 2009
PROCTORVILLE — The Trimble Tomcats appear to be a one-man team, but the Fairland Dragons know it will take a team effort.
Trimble has been a one-man show so far this season with an offense that revolves around junior running back Tyler Dyla.
The 5-foot-8, 165-pound Dyla has 565 yards through four games this season. Fairland coach Dave Carroll said Dyla is as advertised.
“He’s pretty good. He’s very quick and he has good speed,” said Carroll. “What Trimble does is they try to outnumber you at the point of attack and take it to you.”
Trimble is 1-3 but the all three losses were to unbeaten teams Nelsonville-York (7-6), Alexander (35-32) and Oak Hill (33-). Their lone win was against Belpre (52-25).
In the loss to Oak Hill, Trimble trailed just 14-0 going into the fourth quarter. The losses to N-Y and Alexander were due to missed conversion kicks. Nelsonville-York scored in the final minute to pull out the win.
“They’re not like any team we’ve played. They’re going to finesse you and everyone we’ve played has been a smashmouth team. It’s going to be a challenge for us both offensively and defensively,” said Carroll.
“Quickness-wise, they’re right there with us. They have a good receiver and the quarterback throws a pretty good ball.”
Fairland (2-2) has been using big plays to beat opponents this season. The Dragons have outscored their foes 121-to-103.
Quarterback Chad Fisher is 25-of-56 for 685 yards and nine touchdowns and just two interceptions. He has rushed 51 times for 166 yards.
The key weapon, though, is senior running back Matt Bloomfield. The 5-10, 1750-pound senior has rushed 31 times for 269 yards — an 8.7 average — and scored three touchdowns. He has also caught eight passes for 345 yards and five scores, all numbers that lead the team.
Wide receiver Kyle Taubenheim is next on the list with six receptions for 309 yards and three TDs.
Carroll is concerned how well his team will be able to execute against the Tomcats’ defense.
“Defensively they run a 4-4 and a 3-5-3 and they will blitz you from all over. You never know where they’re coming from,” said Carroll.