Photo by Michael Woodruff
Coming off a 54-16 loss to Bellevue, the Colon football team hosts Wyoming Tri-Unity (0-3) Friday. The Magi are 2-1 after a win over Howe Military Academy to start the year and a forfeit by Covert in Week 2. They’re 0-1 in Southern Central Athletic Association play.
Tri-Unity, which also consists of players from Potter’s House Christian and West Michigan Lutheran, look to bounce back after a 26-20 overtime loss to Centreville last Friday.
Injury Report
Colon needed an injury-free week and it appears to have gotten one. Junior running back/linebacker Ronny Moyer was lost for the season in Week 1 with torn ligaments in his knee against Howe Military. Sophomore wingback/cornerback Brandon Hinkley suffered a concussion two weeks ago (he’s had several before) and might hang up his helmet for good.
“Fortunately, we did not accrue any new injuries,” VandenBerg said Thursday.
Scouting Tri-Unity
The Defenders were competitive against St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic to start the year (35-12 loss) before being blown out by Wyoming Godwin Heights 56-0 in Week 2.
“Tri-Unity is much improved over last year based upon what I’ve seen in film,” VandenBerg said. They pushed Centreville to overtime and hung with a tough Week 1 opponent in Lake Michigan Catholic. They will look to spread the ball around and run a bunch of zone read from multiple sets. We will rely on some disciplined [defensive end] play and then have 11 hats on the ball to contain.
Depth Chart Ascent
Junior Brandon Elliott broke into the starting lineup at defensive end and is rotating in at wingback and split end.
“He has gone from not necessarily having a starting role to a full-time starter at DE,” Magi coach Darrin VandenBerg said. “He does a great job on defense and has a fantastic attitude.”
Defensive Spotlight
What VandenBerg wanted to see this season was more aggressiveness from his entire squad on defense. He thinks the Magi are getting to where he wants them to be.
“Senior linebacker Ramsey Potter and freshman linebacker Zachary Greenwald are leading the team in tackles with 11 a piece [through two games], but some of our best play have come from our [defensive ends] Chase Farrand (junior) and Brandon Elliott (junior), along with tackles Nick Martin (junior) and Kale Schumacher (junior.”
By The Numbers
“One of our big goals for this year on defense was to get everyone flying to the ball and team tackling,” he explained. “We drill this on every rep we take on defense. As a result, we are starting to show signs of swarming to the ball. In our two games, 40 percent of our defensive plays ended in multiple player tackles.”
Surveying The SCAA
Bellevue, Camden-Frontier and Climax-Scotts are all at 1-0 in Southern Central Athletic Association play so far.
“As far as the league goes, I don’t think there are any real surprises,” VandenBerg said. “Climax is doing what Climax does and that is playing consistent and disciplined football. Pittsford (2-1, 0-1) is playing tough, hard-nosed defense, which always keeps them in the running. Bellevue is very athletic and rather big. Bellevue has a great opportunity to dethrone Climax this year as SCAA champs but we will have to keep an eye on it.”