“The time is now. The place is here.” — Dan Millman
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This simple quote sums up Friday night’s Trenton High School varsity football game in Brookfield. For the two unbeaten teams, the season hinges on the outcome – the winner will control their own fate in district play while the loser will be left counting points and hoping for a Week 10 upset.
“There is no doubt this is right where we wanted to be,” Head Coach Wes Croy said. “We are right on track for accomplishing the goal this team set for itself.”
The journey began in August and spanned throughout two-a-days and the first seven weeks of the season. Early in the year, Trenton’s coaching staff pointed out the importance of going into the Brookfield game unbeaten.
“The thing is that both teams are so similar. We both want to run the football and we both have above average defenses that are very good against the run,” Croy said. “Up and down the line-up we are pretty evenly matched.”
Facing The History
Last week, the Bulldogs became the first THS team to win its first eight games of the season since 1966. To win on Friday night, Trenton will have to overcome more than Brookfield’s players and the large number of Brookfield fans that will surely pack Burlington Field. Trenton will also have to overcome a history of coming up short in district championship games. The Bulldogs are 2-17 in district games when both teams have no district losses.
The Black and Gold are 1-15 in the last 16 games against Brookfield and THS has lost the last seven games in which classes were not held (in the R-9 school district because of the parent-teacher conferences.)
“That is all true and it is all in the past,” Croy said. “I am excited, and you know what I think; it is a big plus for us not to have school. I think we have a great plan on how to handle the day.”
According the Croy, the Bulldogs will come in Friday morning for a regular lifting session. The team will have a walk-through, eat lunch together and then watch film.
“We are fortunate enough to have some volunteers who are coming to cook for us. After lunch we are going to watch some tapes of past great teams,” Croy said. “I am very excited about that. And then we are going to get on the bus and go play football.”
When it comes to Trenton’s history with Brookfield, Croy talks about matchups within the games – Trenton’s offensive line verses Brookfield’s front eight and weathering Brookfield’s usual early flurry.
“Last year we went into the game with lots of questions and were coming off two straight losses. We were hoping we could win,” Croy said. “This year we are coming into the game with a lot of confidence. I think our kids are ready and they are very confident.”
Cracking Brookfield’s
Defense
Brookfield enters Friday night’s Class 2, District 8 contest sporting a defense that has only allowed 47 points all season (5.9 per game). The boys in blue have allowed more than one score in only one game so far this season.
“You hear a lot about their offense but I tell you what, their defense is good,” Croy said. “Their three interior defensive linemen play one way and are always fresh. They have the best player we have seen this season playing linebacker along with two other good football players.”
Brookfield’s strength is up the middle. Three seniors will be responsible for controlling the line of scrimmage. Defensive tackles Brad Gardner (55), 5-10, 265 and James Zumbrunner (76), 6-0, 215 pounds, along with nose guard Kirby Asher (79) 5-10, 210 pounds, will play a key role on Friday.
Patrolling the center of the field at middle linebacker is senior Luke Lambert (33), 6-2, 215 pounds. Trenton’s success in blocking these four players will most likely determine the outcome of the game.
“Their D-line is active and Lambert is a super football player, the best we have seen,” Croy said. “We must get a hat on Lambert ever single play.”
Last week, Logan Epperson tied the Trenton’s career touchdown reception mark by pulling down his 12th score. Running back DeAndre Vandevender also posted his 12th and 13th rushing touchdowns of the season and quarterback Derek Miller is two touchdown passes shy of matching Trenton’s single-season record of 14 touchdown passes. Trenton’s offense is averaging over 400 yards of offense
Strength on Strength
Defensively, two things are for sure during Friday’s game – there will be hitting and the team that makes the best adjustments will win.
“I expect a smash-mouth football game,” defensive coordinator Jon Adwell said. “On paper we are mirror images of one another and I think we are pretty equal at every position.”
Trenton’s defense will focus on stopping Brookfield’s powerful running game. Brookfield enters Friday’s game averaging 43.6 points per game.
“They have a very good backfield. Of course a lot of people know about Lambert (at running back), but a defense can not over-look (running back) Dustin White (44), 5-10, 165 pounds, because he can hurt you.”
From tight end to tight end, Brookfield’s front seven averages just over 220 pounds. If Trenton is able to contain Brookfield’s ground game, the bulk of the offensive work will fall to senior quarterback Kyle Wilkerson (12), 6-2, 210 pounds.
“We want to make them throw the ball,” Adwell said. “That is not to say they cannot throw, because they can, and have been successful throwing it. But they are better at running the ball.”
Respect vs. Fear
Heading into district play, the Bulldogs have latched on to a saying that sums the team’s feeling heading into what could be the district championship game.
“Respect everyone, but fear no one,” Adwell said.”You have to respect everyone because at anytime anyone can beat you. But you cannot fear them; you have to be confident and expect to win.
“This is more than a saying, it is a way to live your life,” Adwell said. “You have to respect opportunities in life, but never fear those opportunities.”
Kickoff at Burlington Field is slated for 7 p.m. on Friday.