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RICHMOND -- Edison will be looking to finish the first half of its 2022 season unbeaten when it entertains Jefferson County rival Catholic Central Thursday.
The Wildcats have been on a roll through four weeks--outscoring their opposition 173-18. They have recorded a pair of shutouts. Edison is coming off a 48-10 beat down of previously unbeaten Mathews.
Central is 1-3 and presented coach Eric Meek with his initial win last Friday via a thrilling 18-15 road triumph over Zanesville Bishop Rosecrans.
Thursday's kick is set for 7 p.m. inside Edison's Unified Sports Complex. The meeting will be the 10th all time between the schools, Central holding a 6-3 series. Edison, however, has emerged victorious the last two years by a combined score of 83-20.
In the Mathews game, Edison trailed 10-7 in the second quarter before taking a 14-10 lead at the half. The Wildcats then ran off 34 unanswered points during the final two quarters.
"Overall, against Mathews, our kids played really hard," said Edison coach Mike Collopy. "We did not play real well in the first quarter. Defensively, I thought we got better as the game went on. You never want to start a game the way we did -- we gave up 10 real quick points.
"Our kids are coachable and take in everything we say to them. We watched the film and will work to correct everything. Now, we have to move forward."
At Bishop Rosecrans, Central scored the game winning touchdown with six seconds remaining on a 13-yard pass from Andrew Dorsey to Tyler Ialenti. The score was set up by a nifty Tommy Pergi punt return.
Dorsey had a hand in all three Crusader six-pointers, running for one and hitting Pergi for a second. The senior finished with 61 rushing yards on nine carries and threw for another 62, going 6 of 11. Pergi, just a sophomore, racked up 52 rushing yards.
"I have been saying since I got here that these kids are such a pleasure to be around," Meek said. "I wanted them to win so bad and it sure was stressful. Our defense kept fighting and fighting. We got the ball back, used our timeouts and Pergi's punt return gave us great field position. Our offense had some poise. The kids got it done when it counted and it was great to get on the bus with our first win.
"We are going to keep working with these kids. I have seen some real positives the last two weeks starting with Wellsville. I see more of a fight and a spirit from the team now. I think we are going to stick our noses in there and play and keep trying to get better. That is what I have noticed and that is what I have been very pleased about."
Dual-threat quarterback Gage Cline, a three-year starter, directs Edison's offensive attack.
Through four games, he has rushed for 372 yards on 36 carries and scored six times.
Additionally, he has completed 27 of his 43 passing attempts for seven touchdowns.
Talan McClurg has 253 rushing yards on 27 trips and has found the end zone five times. On 28 carries, Mason Eisnaugle has compiled 140 yards and three touchdowns.
Decker Lancaster leads Edison's receiving corps with 10 catches for 233 yards and two six-pointers. Avante Hayes is next with seven grabs for 130 yards and a couple of scores.
Matt Parsons is Edison's defensive leader with 30 tackles and an interception. Ashton Ellis has been in on 24 tackles and recorded two sacks. Chase McClurg has 25 tackles, a sack and a pick while Lane Waggoner has recorded 22 tackles.
Through four games, Liam Watson has nailed 27 of his 28 point after kicks.
"Edison is a very good football team," Meek said. "They have athletes, they are physical and they are very well-coached. Without a doubt, Edison is, if not the best opponent on our schedule, one of the top three opponents we will face.
"I really think we are just going to worry about ourselves this week. We will look to do the best we can and attempt to do some great things. I am very excited about the effort our kids have given us the past couple of weeks and I like what I have seen."
In addition to disposing of Mathews, Edison also has defeated Monroe Central, Wellsville and Toledo Woodward. The Wildcats and the Crusaders have faced two common opponents to date in Mathews and Wellsville. Both earned wins over Central.
"We are happy with the results but we still have a lot of things to improve upon," Collopy said. "Defensively it's assignments -- everyone playing their assignment based on the call. Offensively, it's being able to sustain blocks and execute the play. Our special teams have shown improvement.
"You are never really satisfied. Whatever we have done the last four weeks, we have to focus on moving forward -- getting better and keep improving."
In looking at Central, Collopy said the Crusaders are "well-coached, number one, and their kids play hard for four quarters."
"They have the capability of having a good run game and they like to mix it up offensively as far as run to pass," he noted. "Defensively, they are very aggressive and they get after the football.
"Coach Meek has always done a good job and this year is no different. They play a good schedule. All we can control is what our kids are supposed to do and that comes down to executing on both sides of the ball and on special teams."
Neither coach sees having a short week to prepare for this backyard rivalry as a major issue.
"We have to be ready to play Thursday," Collopy said. "It does not matter where you are playing or who you are playing. It doesn't matter what your record is or what the record of your opponent is. Football is a game where you have to come ready to play. You have to use every opportunity you have to get better.
"Everyone is trying to improve. Everyone is trying to figure out what they are doing well and continue to do those things. At the same time, everyone is looking to correct what they are not doing well."
"We want to take a step forward this week and improve as a football team," said Meek. "We stayed healthy coming out of the Rosecrans game so that is a positive.
"We'll work hard to prepare during this short week. After this game, our kids will get a little physical break with a long weekend then we'll start getting ready for game number six."
Following the Central game, Edison will take a trip to Toronto for what could be a Week 6 meeting of unbeaten clubs. Collopy said he's not worried about his players looking ahead.
"That is the job of myself and our coaches," he said. "We need to keep our guys locked in. It doesn't matter what happened in the past.
"We stress be where your feet are -- if you are looking behind you or ahead of you, the present will smack you in your face. No team is good enough to look behind or ahead."