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Do IT this week: Layering
Winning season so far clears sour taste of last year
By Nate Ulrich Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, Sep 06, 2007
After dismal football seasons in 2006, North and Stow are undefeated heading into Week 3.
Only one of those teams, however, will improve to 3-0 because the Bulldogs and the Vikings will battle each other at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
North defeated Rootstown 19-14 and Coventry 32-22 to win its first two games in a season for the first time since 1984. North finished with a record of 1-9 last season.
Stow defeated Kenmore 49-6 and Kent Roosevelt 45-20 after going 2-8 for two consecutive seasons.
North coach Ken Johnson and Stow coach Marty Tinkler said their teams are hungry to stay undefeated, so Friday's game should be intense.
''It's going to be tough,'' said Johnson, who is in his first season as Vikings head coach. ''It's going to be a dogfight. I believe the team that makes the least mistakes will win. I know they're pumped up, and they have homefield advantage.''
Stow will, indeed, be playing at home, but North has used a strong running game to win its first two games on the road.
Senior tailback Larry Dawson has carried the ball 36 times for 243 yards and two touchdowns, and senior fullback Donte Bryant has rushed 29 times for 229 yards for the Vikings. Senior quarterback Antwan Logan ran five times for 101 yards and two touchdowns in the Vikings' season opener, and junior tailback Donta Covington had five carries for 118 yards and a touchdown in North's win over Coventry.
''It's a new beginning,'' Johnson said. ''The kids just decided to step up. The offensive line is stepping it up. We've got two seniors (Timothy Baker and Jeff Hetzer) on that line who have been dedicated in the weight room, and they've really helped open up our running game.''
Tinkler and the Bulldogs want to shut that running game down.
''They have a three-headed monster for a running game,'' Tinkler said. ''I think it's going to be important for us to stop the run and put them in uncomfortable situations.''
Senior quarterback Alex Loftin has thrown five touchdowns and no interceptions for the Bulldogs. Loftin has also rushed for two touchdowns. Senior wide receiver/tailback Matt Marino has caught three touchdown passes and has returned a punt for a touchdown.
''I think it all comes down to confidence,'' Tinkler said. ''They're playing confident. They're really doing all the little things correctly that lead to success. We had a great offseason, we had a great camp and it has just kind of bled into the regular season.''
Other surprising teams
East Canton is 2-0 this season after finishing with a record of 1-9 in 2006 . . . Norton is 2-0 after going 2-8 . . . Cloverleaf is 2-0 after going 3-7 . . . GlenOak is 2-0 after going 3-7 . . . Marlington is 2-0 after going 3-7.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at 330-996-3800.
After dismal football seasons in 2006, North and Stow are undefeated heading into Week 3.
Get the full article here.
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