It#'s cliche to say a team is peaking at the right part of the season, but Weedsport football coach Jason Trousdale has tinkered with the pieces of the Warriors' puzzle to do just that.
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Weedsport quarterback Bryce Leitten leads the Warriors in rushing and passing yards this season. Leitten and the Warriors host Waterville in a Section III playoff game Friday.
Weedsport quarterback Bryce Leitten leads the Warriors in rushing and passing yards this season. Leitten and the Warriors host Waterville in a Section III playoff game Friday.
Fourth-seeded Weedsport has won three straight games and hopes to keep its momentum going when it takes on No. 5 Waterville in the Section III, Class D playoffs at 7 p.m. on Friday in Weedsport.
After losing to No. 1 state-ranked Onondaga midway through the season, Trousdale changed his backfield options. Warrior Opie Jordan switched from back to guard/tackle and moved Nick Topichak over to center from guard. Former center Jake Ekross was freed up for the fullback position, joining converted wide receiver Craig Mietz in the backfield.
The changes yielded results quickly. In its last three games, No. 9-ranked Weedsport has outscored its opponents 99-14. Ekross has rush for over 330 yards.
“(Jake) is doing well,” Trousdale said. “He's a big kid. He runs hard, he gets his pads down. He's not super fast, but he's going to always fall forward.”
Mietz is also coming along after catching seven balls for 260 yards as a receiver.
“He's a major threat in the backfield,” Trousdale said. “If the wants to run, he can really get outside in a hurry.” Quarterback Bryce Leitten remains behind center. The senior has put up impressive numbers this year, rushing for 685 yards and throwing for another 455. He has 18 touchdowns.
Despite the revamped offense, the defense deserves just as much credit. The Warriors posted a pair of shutouts this season, and have held their opponents to two touchdowns or less in three other games. Ekross lead the Warriors with 63 tackles, and Sean Ashby has eight sacks.
Defense is a common thread with Weedsport and Waterville. The Indians have allowed a mere 11.3 points per game this season, a year removed from finishing 1-7.
“They play really solid defense, they haven't given up a lot of points this year,” Trousdale said. “They haven't put up a lot of points, but they stop you too.
“They're very quick. They get to the football.”
According to Trousdale Waterville is a run first, pass second offense. While they've won three games, the Indians' offense didn't find a groove in Class D Central, scoring 35 points in 2007.
Trousdale is preparing his team for the challenge, and is optimistic about the Warriors' chances - if they crack the Indians' defense.
“If we execute our plays right offensively we will put up some points,” he said. “Whether it's 30 or 40 it doesn't matter, we're going to put our drives together. If we take care of the football, we'll punch it in for touchdowns - and our defense is getting better each week.”
If you go
What: No. 5 Waterville at No. 4 Weedsport, Section III quarterfinal
When: Friday
Where: Weedsport
Time: 7 p.m.
After losing to No. 1 state-ranked Onondaga midway through the season, Trousdale changed his backfield options. Warrior Opie Jordan switched from back to guard/tackle and moved Nick Topichak over to center from guard. Former center Jake Ekross was freed up for the fullback position, joining converted wide receiver Craig Mietz in the backfield.
The changes yielded results quickly. In its last three games, No. 9-ranked Weedsport has outscored its opponents 99-14. Ekross has rush for over 330 yards.
“(Jake) is doing well,” Trousdale said. “He's a big kid. He runs hard, he gets his pads down. He's not super fast, but he's going to always fall forward.”
Mietz is also coming along after catching seven balls for 260 yards as a receiver.
“He's a major threat in the backfield,” Trousdale said. “If the wants to run, he can really get outside in a hurry.” Quarterback Bryce Leitten remains behind center. The senior has put up impressive numbers this year, rushing for 685 yards and throwing for another 455. He has 18 touchdowns.
Despite the revamped offense, the defense deserves just as much credit. The Warriors posted a pair of shutouts this season, and have held their opponents to two touchdowns or less in three other games. Ekross lead the Warriors with 63 tackles, and Sean Ashby has eight sacks.
Defense is a common thread with Weedsport and Waterville. The Indians have allowed a mere 11.3 points per game this season, a year removed from finishing 1-7.
“They play really solid defense, they haven't given up a lot of points this year,” Trousdale said. “They haven't put up a lot of points, but they stop you too.
“They're very quick. They get to the football.”
According to Trousdale Waterville is a run first, pass second offense. While they've won three games, the Indians' offense didn't find a groove in Class D Central, scoring 35 points in 2007.
Trousdale is preparing his team for the challenge, and is optimistic about the Warriors' chances - if they crack the Indians' defense.
“If we execute our plays right offensively we will put up some points,” he said. “Whether it's 30 or 40 it doesn't matter, we're going to put our drives together. If we take care of the football, we'll punch it in for touchdowns - and our defense is getting better each week.”
If you go
What: No. 5 Waterville at No. 4 Weedsport, Section III quarterfinal
When: Friday
Where: Weedsport
Time: 7 p.m.
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