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Logan
Garee of Johnstown Northridge has nowhere to go as a swarming
Arcanum defense shuts him down during first half action Friday. The
Trojans rolled to a 38-14 victory over the visiting Vikings. CNO Photos
by B. Troutwine
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Arcanum rolls
on opening night
Northridge no match
By George Starks
ARCANUM- Located 20 miles east of Columbus, Johnstown Northridge had
one long bus ride home Friday night.
It took the Vikings over two hours to get to Arcanum and after a 38-14
loss (in a game that was never that close) to the Trojans, it might
have seemed like a four hour ride back.
“It’s a great way to start the year,” said head coach TJ Powers. “I’m
really proud of the boys. We really rallied together and showed a lot
of heart tonight. We just have some great kids and they responded
tonight. We looked a little flat last week but we had a great week of
practice last week and the kids stepped up and played a solid game
tonight.”
With the Trojans starting the game on defense, the Vikings were sent
packing on their opening possession, running only six plays before
being forced to put the ball away.
It was the Trojans defense that set the tone for the entire first half,
allowing only 161 yards of total offense and keeping the Vikes off the
scoreboard.
“The defense threw up a big goose egg in the first half,” Powers
stated. “We were all over the field, hitting people, making plays and
responding to adversity. It was a great two quarters of defense and
then we weren’t quite the same in the second half. We have to clean
that up because we have a big game next week at Covington.”
On offense, it was a night for quarterback Daniel O’Donnell.
The Arcanum junior was a one man wrecking crew, running the ball eight
times and racking up 257 yards on the ground with four touchdowns.
O’Donnell got the Trojans on the board at the 3:26 mark of the opening
quarter on a 10 yard run. After the extra point was tacked on, it was
7-0 in favor of the Trojans.
O’Donnell struck again with 1:57 in the frame on a 22 yard scamper.
With 8:34 remaining in the half and the ball resting on the 30 yard
line, O’Donnell busted one up the gut for a 70 yard burst and a 20-0
lead.
Senior Kory Baker got in on the action with 2:08 left in the
half, running the ball in from 22 yards out.
With the opening half in the books, the Trojans were well in command,
26-0.
With all the happy fans cheering on O’Donnell and Baker’s efforts in
the first 24 minutes, Powers knows it all starts at the line.
“Up front, we dominated the line of scrimmage,” said Powers. “Our
option plays were working well but it all starts upfront. Daniel
is an electrifying player and he made some good reads tonight. When you
get off the ball quickly and get after it, good things happen. We were
getting our blocks on the line and our runners were following their
blocks. It’s a great way to start the season.”
Now 1-0, the Trojans will go to Covington next week and a huge Cross
County Conference game with the Buccs.
“We’ve not beat Covington in quite a while,” said Powers. “We’ve got to
go over there a get it done. We’re overdue.”
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Junior
quarterback Daniel O'Donnell (13) scored four times and rushed
for 257 yards on eight
carries Friday against the Vikings. Covington is
up next for the Trojans.
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