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RICHMOND -- The teams battling at Cartwright Memorial Field on Friday night are, according to both coaches, much improved from a season ago and in for a battle when Edison hosts Oak Glen.
"I think both teams have taken some steps forward," first-year Edison coach Shane O'Brien said. "Both teams are improved and it should be a really good match up."
The sentiments were echoed by Oak Glen coach Ted Arneault.
"Both teams are improved," Arneault said. "It will be a good game."
Friday's matchup is a collision of styles. The 3-2 Wildcats rode strong defensive performances in wins, especially late in the games, while the 2-3 Golden Bears fire up a high-powered passing attack led by sophomore quarterback Nick Chaney. He is the Herald-Star/Daily Times coverage area leader with 1,063 yards passing yards and 15 touchdowns, more than twice as many as anyone else.
"They have a pretty aggressive passing attack," O'Brien said. "They have some very good receivers and some good athletes that can make plays in the passing the game. They are not what we have been used to seeing in previous weeks, but it will be a new challenge for us to tackle this week."
According to Arneault, the Wildcats offense can beat opponents with multiple players.
"They have a lot of athletes that they spread the ball to all over the field," he said. "There is nobody that they try to get the ball to more than anyone else. They have a lot of seniors out this year who did not play last year. That is something that is pretty impressive, that they have been able to pull that together. They are coming off a big win over Beaver Local."
Edison is led by senior quarterback Anthony Sinicropi, who has 538 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions, as well as 211 yards and three more scores on the ground.
He was injured during Friday's win over Beaver Local, but is expected to play.
Kaleb Waggoner leads Edison's rushing attack with 287 yards and five scores on 74 carries.
The Golden Bears receiving corps is led by Zach Taylor, who has eight touchdowns on the season and 343 on 16 grabs before the East Liverpool game. Hunter Patterson has a second in the area 20 catches for 269 yards and four scores.
The aforementioned Edison defense ranks fifth in the area, allowing 281.8 yards and 22 points per game. The strength is the pass defense, which yields just 89 yards per outing – the best mark in the area. The Wildcats offense averages 20.4 points and 234.4 yards.
"They play the same defense we do with a 3-3 stack," Arneault said. "Their defense plays very well and been able to play well and hold their opponents to a minimal amount of points. We have done well on offense. Winning the turnover battle is going to be the key."
On the flip side, Oak Glen is averaging more than 300 yards and 27.8 points per game. The defense allows over 300 yards and 35.8 points.