Football Xtra

Wildcats back home to host Caldwell

RICHMOND -- The Edison football team is looking to extend its winning streak to four games, but it will not be an easy task against Caldwell.

After dropping a two-point game in the opener, the Wildcats have won three straight games, while the Redskins are looking to get back over .500 on the season.

Edison and Caldwell are set to play at 7 p.m. Friday night out at the Edison Unified Sports Complex.

Edison enters this Week 5 matchup fresh off a 51-6 victory against Oak Glen last Friday night up at the Bears' Den.

"I thought we started slow," Edison (3-1) head coach Mike Collopy said. "Coach (Tyler) Ossman made a good adjustment from the box. It was what we needed. We played faster and more sound on defense.

"Offensively, I thought AP and our offensive coaches did a good job. We did a good job of spreading the ball around and getting different kids involved.

"Special teams, our kick coverage was very good."

On the other side, Caldwell enters the game coming off a 42-13 loss at Monroe Central.

"Caldwell is a very good football team," Collopy said. "Their kids play hard. They are well coached. They have got some good players.

"Offensively, they have a very good scheme for what they are trying to do. Their quarterback is really good. They have got some good running back. Their receivers are good.

"Defensively, they are aggressive. They get after it. They get to the football. They tackle well.

"They are going to be a big challenge for us."

The Redskins enter this game with a record of 2-2. Caldwell opened the season with a 21-19 loss at Buckeye Trail before defeating Waterford, 26-13, on the road and shutting out Wellsville, 43-0, at home.

"It looks like they want to use their run to set up the pass," Collopy said. "Their quarterback is super athletic. He spreads the ball around to his receivers. They run a good scheme with their passing game. They run screens and combination routes.

"In the running game, they run zone. They run power. They can get outside and stretch the defense. Their quarterback can run. Defensively, we are going to have to defend the whole field."

Edison opened the season by suffering a 42-40 loss at Shenandoah before bouncing back and defeating Cameron (30-22) and Southern Local (42-24) before defeating Oak Glen.

The Redskins had only allowed 35 points through the first three weeks of the season before giving up 42 points against the Seminoles.

"Defensively, they run an even front, but they will mix it up to an odd front," Collopy said. "They run combination coverages behind them.

"The thing that impressed us the most is how extremely hard their kids play. They are hard nosed. They play for 48 minutes.

"They are a really good team. They made it to the final four last year. They play a solid schedule. They are going to be a very big challenge for us.

"This game is a big game. They are a good team. It is going to be a big challenge."

The boys from Noble County aren't very big up front, but they are still able to get the job done on the field.

"They are not enormous up front," Collopy said. "They do have kids that can get off the ball. They remind me of an old school Steubenville Catholic Central team. They play way bigger than their size on the offensive line.

"I am impressed with their footwork. They stay on their blocks. They do a good job.

"It is going to be a good game. Coach (Chance) Rucker has been there for a few years. He has a good record. This is going to be a big challenge."

The Wildcats are going to have to play well in all three phases of the game to walk off the field Friday night with their fourth victory of the season.

"Defensively, we are going to have to stop the run," Collopy said. "We are going to have contain their quarterback.

"Offensively, we are going to have to maintain drives. We are going to have to be efficient. We are going to have to score when we get the chance.

"We are going to have to continue to improve our special teams. They have one of the best kickers we are going to face all season."

Edison enters play this week in 11th place in the Ohio Division V, Region 17 standings, Caldwell, meanwhile, is in 20th place in the Ohio Division VI, Region 23 rankings.