Maroon Knights Open Home Schedule
Central hosts 2-0 TCC team
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WHEELING -- The Maroon Knights will play their first game at home this season, welcoming Tuscarawas Central Catholic to Bishop Schmitt Field tonight.
"I'm excited and the kids are excited," veteran Central coach Mike Young said. "We love to come home and play."
Central (1-0) picked up a cherished 24-7 win over Ambridge on the road in Pennsylvania last week, overcoming rain and early mistakes to bring home the victory.
"I thought we played hard and I thought we played aggressive, but we made a lot of first-game mistakes," Young said. "I think we built confidence. They were aggressive, big and came off the ball well. We needed that type of game to get our kids going a little bit."
Ambridge took an early 7-0 lead on a second-quarter touchdown, but Central rattled off 24 unanswered points and shut the Bridgers out in the second half.
"I was pleased with how we progressed and how we improved," Young said. "We made mistakes (last week) but we didn't let them cause us to not play hard and to not play good football. I like that about our kids."
Senior Lorenzo Ferrera was a dynamo in the game, rushing for 121 yards and two touchdowns on offense while also tallying five tackles and an interception on defense.
Classmate Riley Watkins ran for 127 yards on the ground to add to 55 receiving yards and a score through the air.
"I like our team chemistry and that they get excited for one another," Young said. "I like our unselfish attitude and how the kids just play well together. That's a key to anybody's team if you can start out playing with unity. You can make mistakes, but you can also get by them."
Tuscarawas Central (2-0) presents a big challenge for the Knights. Literally, the Saints' three interior offensive linemen combine to tip the scales at over 900 pounds.
"They're huge up front," Young said.
TCC's center weighs in at 340 pounds with the guards to his left and right checking in at 310 and 290.
"They spread out and throw the ball a lot," Young explained. "Defensively, they play a four-front and gang up. We've got to play good, physical football."
The Saints have won their first two games by a combined score of 83-20. Last week, quarterback Jordan Cherry threw for 257 yards and ran for 48 more and a touchdown. Running back Thayne Mahaffey ran for 97 yards and two scores.
"I think the big thing is to contain their quarterback," Young said. "He's a good ballplayer and they have a good running back."
The Maroon Knights defeated TCC 52-18 in a meeting last season. Friday's game will serve as Senior Night for Wheeling Central.