Published: November 19, 2008 09:53 pm         

Ringwood confident of stopping Copan

Ringwood will be facing one of the top backs in eight-man football Friday when the Red Devils travel to Copan in a 7:30 p.m. Class B quarterfinal.

Tyler Shull has rushed for 1,824 yards and 30 touchdowns for the 10-1 Hornets, who beat Kiefer 14-9 in a first-round game last week.

So why is Ringwood coach Doug Seely smiling?

Alex’s Randy Alexander came into last week’s first-round game with the Red Devils with 2,200 yards rushing. He was held to 70 yards on 27 carries in a 46-0 Ringwood victory in the first round.

“The defense is coming together,’’ said Seely. “We’re doing a good job of gang tackling and pursuing the ball real well.’’

Alexander, Seely said, is not as big as Ringwood’s John Conaway, but has excellent quickness. The Red Devils can’t afford to let him find a crease.

Seely doesn’t see that happening.

“We’re definitely a lot bigger than they are across the front,’’ Seely said. “That’s been a plus for us each week. I don’t think they can match our speed either.’’

Josh Fick was credited with 10.5 stops against Alex while Conaway had 7.5.

Conaway has rushed for 1,396 yards on 143 carries for a 9.8 yard-per-carry average and 19 touchdowns.

He rushed for 212 yards on 13 carries last week.

Quarterback Shay Unruh had 48 yards on only three carries against Alex. He’s rushed for 485 yards and passed for another 295 yards and five scores on the season.

The big foot of kicker Travis Schomber has allowed the Red Devils to control field position. Most of Schomber’s kickoffs have gone into the end zone.

If Ringwood wins the toss, the Devils usually will take the wind and play field position.

Ringwood, which had been hampered by penalties most of the season, was flagged only twice for 10 yards last week.

The Red Devils, with nine seniors, are playing with a sense of urgency as they try to reach the semifinals for the second straight year.

“A lot of these guys have been starting for four years,’’ Seely said. “They understand this is it. They have been a joy to coach. They love it a lot more than any other group that I’ve had. Everyone is doing what they are supposed to do for the betterment of the team.’’

Copan won its first nine games, only to lose to Welch 40-34 in the season finale. The Hornets were held under 34 points for the first time this season against Kiefer.

Seely doesn’t think the long road trip will play a factor. He pointed out Ringwood made a longer trip to South Coffeyville last season and won 24-14.

The winner plays the Laverne-Davenport winner next week.

“I hope we can win and get to play Laverne (B-1 opponent) again,’’ Seely said. “That would be a testament to how tough B-1 is this year.’’



Canton travels to Weleetka



Canton may have been making its first postseason trip since 1984, but the Tigers didn’t show it in a 40-8 win over Ryan last week in the first round.

The Tigers have a chance to make some more history with a win over Weleetka Saturday in a quarterfinal matchup. It would mark the first time in school history the Tigers advanced past the second round.

“We’re having too much fun,’’ said Canton coach Robby Davis. “Nobody wants it to end. We have put our mark on Canton history. But, at the same time, we feel we haven’t proven anything to ourselves. We want to have a rematch with Garber.’’

If Canton wins and No. 1-ranked Garber beats Depew Friday, the two teams would meet for a second time this season in the semifinals. Garber won the first meeting 34-8 Oct. 31.

Weleetka (10-1) beat Watts 28-8 in the first round. The Outlaws have won seven straight since a 26-20 loss to Depew Sept. 19. Canton is 9-2.

The Outlaws, Davis said, are a very physical football team, but will not intimidate the Tigers.

“They have a 6-foot, 200-pound running back who is very impressive, but he’s not a (Ringwood’s) John Conaway by any means,’’ Davis said. “They are aggressive defensively, but by no means a B-1 school. At the same time, if we come out flat, they are good enough to beat us. We have to come out fired up and ready to play.’’

The Tigers scored 42 unanswered points after giving up a 76-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter against Ryan.

“We came out a little jittery and a little flat,’’ Davis said. “But once we figured it out, we got physical. Our defense played well the rest of the game.’’

The Tigers rushed for 395 yards, thanks to the physical play of linemen Seth Edwards, Levi Ransom, Will Robinson and Garrett Lance, Davis said.

Davis was happy the Tigers were able to empty their bench, allowing everyone to see action.

“No one can say they haven’t played in the playoffs,’’ he said.

Canton, Davis said, had a 2-1 fan advantage over the host Cowboys, giving the Tigers a home game atmosphere.

“Everyone is fired up,’’ Davis said. “If someone wants to rob the bank, Saturday will be the day to do it. ‘’



Laverne hosts Davenport



Laverne, the fourth-place team in District B-1, will host Davenport Saturday. The host Tigers were the preseason No. 1 in Class B. The Bulldogs were No. 1 for five weeks until a 36-22 loss to Weleetka Oct. 10.

Davenport has won five straight since then. The Bulldogs have scored 46 or more points the last four weeks, including a 65-20 rout of Welch last week.

Laverne was the lone fourth-place team to win a first-round game in Class B. The Tigers beat B-2 champion Fox 44-12 giving the district a perfect first-round mark for the second straight year.