Storm looking to wrap up their 1st district crown

Friday, October 24, 2008

For members of the Hopkins County Central football team, tonight’s match-up with Calloway County presents a chance to do something no other Storm gridiron squad has accomplished.

During a week in which the team has already learned the Associated Press awarded Central (5-2) its highest 4A ranking in school history, the school could record its first football district championship with a win against the Lakers (5-2) in today’s 7:30 p.m. game at Storm Field.

Senior running back Troydale Rorer smiled wide as he tried to explain the emotions of the opportunity.

“I’ve been thinking about it and it just feels so good,” he said. “This school is just so young and doesn’t have a lot of tradition. For our class to set the tradition for Central, and to let them carry on that tradition next year, it’s just an exciting thing to me.”

If the Storm wish to do so, however, they will have to battle through some expected rainy conditions, which could have a considerable effect on the style of football played.

“It’s supposed to be nasty (today), so we’re going to have to keep the ball on the ground most of the game probably,” Rorer said. “We’ll have to make sure to hold onto the ball and make sure our line gets a good push.”

Last week, Rorer rushed seven times for 54 yards as Central collected an impressive 266 yards on the ground against Ohio County in a 35-0 win.

Rorer will be expected to handle the bulk of the load tonight if the field becomes slick as expected and he appeared happy of thoughts of such a game.

“When it’s sloppy like that you know what kind of game it’s going to be,” Rorer said. “It’s going to be a hard-knocking game. It’s going to be a lot of hits on the ground, lots of nasty falls, slips.”

Quarterback Jake Powell said he also understands the game plan.

“If the O-line comes in and blocks like they’re capable of and Troydale runs the ball like he should, then we’ll be alright,” he said.

The Storm have enjoyed back-to-back weeks of solid running efforts and coach Rick Snodgrass said the department’s success helps the team settle in.

“If we can run the football, we tend to be a little more comfortable,” he said. “If we can be successful running the football, then our offense tends to flow a little bit better.”

A rainy night could hinder the effectiveness of the Lakers’ offense, which boasts 4A’s leading passer, quarterback Casey Brockman.

Through six games, Brockman passed for an average of 268 yards per contest. Brockman has also shown great accuracy, throwing for 16 touchdowns and just four interceptions.

At his disposal is a large group of receivers. Chris Dobbins leads the corps in yardage (581) with Chris Garner closely behind (516). Each receiver has four touchdowns, but Tyrrell Willis has caught 21 passes for eight touchdowns and 400 yards.

Snodgrass said there’s plenty that helps Brockman’s success.

“He’s got all the intangibles,” he said. “He’s about 6-2, 6-3, he’s a 200-pound kid who can run and he’s got a great arm. He’s a prototype college quarterback.”

With Brockman directing the air attack, Willis will handle most of the ground duties. Willis, the team’s leading rusher, averages more than five yards per touch and has eight touchdowns.

Defensive tackle Dustin Grant said Central’s focus will be up front.

“You just have to beat the guy you’re lined up in front of and get in his face and see what he can do, if he can take the pressure,” he said. “I feel like we can pretty much pick them apart, studying so much this week, by just looking at their formations.”

Lucas Duncan, a Storm defensive back, said the defense’s goal will be just recreating what the team has done all season.

“There’s really no strategy, just keep on playing the way we’ve been playing,” he said. “Just do what you’re taught to do.”

Central’s defense has been consistent throughout, collecting three shutouts while allowing only two opponents to score more than 20 points.

Their success has helped the team’s offensive players to loosen up.

“It relieves a lot of pressure from us,” Powell said. “We don’t have to worry about making a big play every play so much. We can try to make a drive last and keep them off the field.”

The lack of stress to score has actually propelled the team to even further success, averaging 42 points per contest over the past three games.

“We’ve been able to put a lot of points on the board,” Snodgrass said. “We’ve been able to utilize all of our playmakers. Jacob has done a real nice job the last three weeks of running the offense. He’s really grasped what we want him to do and distribute the football around.”

If Powell and the rest of the squad can repeat its success one more time tonight, Central will secure its first district championship and ensure home-field advantage in the playoffs.