Week 3 Football Preview: Bearcats want to find identity
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
BAINBRIDGE — According to head coach Pete Hollon, if his Paint Valley Bearcats learned one thing from last week's 49-6 loss to Williamsburg, it was to be ready to play every week.
It is a new week for the 1-1 Bearcats, and they will host their second home game in the first three weeks with the 0-2 Cedarville Indians of the Ohio Heritage Conference visiting George Knisley Field this Friday.
Last season, Cedarville was 4-6 overall, as they have 36 players on the team this season.
PV's one score last week was a 22-yard pass and reception from Eli Barker to Logan Ackley.
"Entering last week's game, we weren't sure where we were at as a team, and to be honest, I still am not sure where we are at," Hollon said. "One thing I know is we are a better team than the way we played last Friday."
Hollon said his team had a meltdown of sorts in all three aspects of the football game.
"We brought a big crowd, there was a great atmosphere, and after giving up a interception for a touchdown on the second possession, we weren't competitive for the rest of the game. Once one thing went wrong, the whole roof caved in."
This week against Cedarville will bring a veer option look offensively and and 3-5 defense to the table, as they line up their five fastest players at linebacker and as Hollon said, "come at you every play."
In their game against Cincinnati Christian one week ago, Cedarville had 12 first downs with 243 offensive yards.
"They will do a lot with the option, but they don't pass a lot," Hollon said.
Standouts for Cedarville include middle linebacker and fullback Gabe Sayers, a 5-8, 205-pound senior. Another standout is senior quarterback Stefan Biddinger. Last week, Biddinger ran 17 times for 98 yards and one touchdown. Sayers ran 13 times for 92 yards and one touchdown.
"Biddinger runs the option well, and Sayers is a nice football player on both sides of the ball," Hollon said.
PV opened the season with a 39-0 win over Belpre, and this week will host a two-loss Indian team that opened the year with a 27-0 loss to Madison-Plains and a 14-12 loss to Cincinnati Christian.
"Since the loss, films and practice have been mostly good," Hollon said. "This is a breakout week for us, and we have to get our mindset right since we go into league play next week.
"This is a good group of kids, and they have a positive attitude, but we have to become tougher and more nasty when we step onto the field Friday."
PV and Cedarville will kick off at 7:30 p.m. as it will be Little 'Cats Night.[[In-content Ad]]
It is a new week for the 1-1 Bearcats, and they will host their second home game in the first three weeks with the 0-2 Cedarville Indians of the Ohio Heritage Conference visiting George Knisley Field this Friday.
Last season, Cedarville was 4-6 overall, as they have 36 players on the team this season.
PV's one score last week was a 22-yard pass and reception from Eli Barker to Logan Ackley.
"Entering last week's game, we weren't sure where we were at as a team, and to be honest, I still am not sure where we are at," Hollon said. "One thing I know is we are a better team than the way we played last Friday."
Hollon said his team had a meltdown of sorts in all three aspects of the football game.
"We brought a big crowd, there was a great atmosphere, and after giving up a interception for a touchdown on the second possession, we weren't competitive for the rest of the game. Once one thing went wrong, the whole roof caved in."
This week against Cedarville will bring a veer option look offensively and and 3-5 defense to the table, as they line up their five fastest players at linebacker and as Hollon said, "come at you every play."
In their game against Cincinnati Christian one week ago, Cedarville had 12 first downs with 243 offensive yards.
"They will do a lot with the option, but they don't pass a lot," Hollon said.
Standouts for Cedarville include middle linebacker and fullback Gabe Sayers, a 5-8, 205-pound senior. Another standout is senior quarterback Stefan Biddinger. Last week, Biddinger ran 17 times for 98 yards and one touchdown. Sayers ran 13 times for 92 yards and one touchdown.
"Biddinger runs the option well, and Sayers is a nice football player on both sides of the ball," Hollon said.
PV opened the season with a 39-0 win over Belpre, and this week will host a two-loss Indian team that opened the year with a 27-0 loss to Madison-Plains and a 14-12 loss to Cincinnati Christian.
"Since the loss, films and practice have been mostly good," Hollon said. "This is a breakout week for us, and we have to get our mindset right since we go into league play next week.
"This is a good group of kids, and they have a positive attitude, but we have to become tougher and more nasty when we step onto the field Friday."
PV and Cedarville will kick off at 7:30 p.m. as it will be Little 'Cats Night.[[In-content Ad]]