Crusaders building off home wins
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STEUBENVILLE -- Catholic Central will be looking to climb above .500 when Caldwell makes the trip from Noble County to Harding Stadium Saturday. The kick for the first meeting between the schools is set for 7 p.m.
The Crusaders improved to 2-2 thanks to their 27-13 homecoming victory over Edison on Saturday. Caldwell broke into the win column last week when it took out Monroe Central, 21-18. Previously, the Redskins fell to 3-1 Buckeye Trail, 2-2 Reedsville Eastern and 2-2 Tuscarawas Central Catholic.
"Their kids play real hard -- they play fast, they play hard," Central coach Anthony Agresta said when discussing the Redskins. "You can tell they take a lot of pride in what they are doing. Their numbers aren't big (Caldwell has 25 players on its roster and just two seniors), but the kids they have out there get after it.
"Caldwell is a completely different team, the polar opposite from what we saw in Edison, which was a big physical team that was going to try to out-physical you. These guys are quick, and they have some guys who make plays in open space, so it's a different type of challenge."
One of Caldwell's guys who can make plays in space is freshman quarterback Braxton Dudley (5-foot-9, 160 pounds). In the win over Monroe Central, he rushed for 100 yards on 16 attempts and completed 14 of his 23 passing attempts for 211 yards. He also caught two passes for 18 yards. Dudley scored two touchdowns, one on the ground and one with a pass reception.
"He gets the ball out of his hand pretty quick," Agresta said of Dudley. "From watching him play on film, you wouldn't think he was a freshman. He's not real big in stature, but he can make plays with his feet and his arm. He's going to have a nice career ahead of him."
Caldwell compiled 391 yards of offense in its victory, 229 through the air and 162 on the ground. Caden Moore, the 5-11, 160-pound fullback, ran for 51 yards and a score.
Dudley's favorite targets are Brandon Piskula and Whyatt Parks. Against Monroe, Piskula had five catches for 77 yards and a touchdown. Parks, meanwhile, grabbed three passes for 66 yards.
Up front, the Redskins have some size, starting with junior tackle T.J. Wehr (5-11, 304). Dawlson Moore is a 6-1, 185-pound tight end.
"We are still growing as a team and have a lot of little things to work on," Caldwell coach Grant Gaydos said following the Monroe Central game. "But, there were many bright spots that we are proud of."
In four games, the Redskins have scored 48 points, while allowing 76.
Gaydos is in his fourth year as the Caldwell grid boss. The Redskins went 5-5 a year ago. They were 5-2 before losing their final three games to fall out of the hunt for a playoff spot.
"Defensively, we're going to have to make some plays in space," Agresta said. "If they get their kids in space, they can make plays. They get up the field defensively, so we have to make sure we know where everyone is.
"Also on the defensive side of the ball, they like to blitz and make things happen. We must account for everyone and make sure we get hats on hats. Plus, we can't let them get us behind the chains. That's one of the things I told my coaches -- I don't want us getting behind the chains on early downs."
In its win over Edison, Central got its running game going, compiling 213 yards. Senior Jeffrey Dawson had a huge game, going for 157 yards and three touchdowns. For the season, Dawson has 354 yards and six rushing scores. He is the fifth leading rusher in the Herald Star/Daily Times coverage area.
Fellow senior Jayden Keeder also rushed for a touchdown.
"Every win is big," Agresta said. "Following two losses of course, a win is good medicine naturally. What we saw last week was a little more of the style of football we'd like to play.
"We were pleased. Naturally, we still have things to work on, but we were pleased, especially with the run game."
Through four games, the Crusaders are averaging 254 yards of offense and 19 points. Junior quarterback Ryan Gorman has thrown for 521 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Anthony LeFever leads Central in receptions with 13 for 196 yards. Anthony Sprochi, also a senior, has five catches.
Defensively, the Crusaders surrender 312 yards a game and 29 points.
"I did not necessarily have any intermittent goals in terms of where we want to be at certain points during the season," Agresta said when asked about his team entering the second half with a 3-2 mark. "At this point in time, we're just trying to get as many wins on the left side of the column as we can. Hopefully, that will help us work toward something at the end of the season."
CENTRAL NOTES
¯ Central was hamstrung by injuries earlier, but Agresta said his Crusaders now are "as healthy as we have been since Week 1 -- so that's good."
¯ Agresta's club will face another new opponent next week when it travels to Lucas, located in Richland County, not far from Mansfield. The Cubs are off to a 3-1 start.
¯ The Crusaders will play three of their final four games at home, entertaining Harrison Central, Morgantown Trinity and Toronto. They will travel across the river for a date with Madonna on Oct. 26.