Lexington presents another formidable foe
The hard part about playing in the Ohio Cardinal Conference is, there is no time to catch your breath after each week’s football game. Each and every week tends to bring a whole new assortment of weaponry and ways for teams to attack the Knights.This week, the Minutemen of Lexington bring in their highly charged offense lead by a healthy Courtney Avery. The Michigan Wolverine prospect missed a couple games with an injury, but returned last week to guide Lexington to a 34-32 triumph over Wooster.
Heading into last week’s game against Wooster, Avery had thrown for almost 900 yards and seven touchdowns, despite missing two games.
In Avery’s absence, senior wide receiver Zack Collins stepped in and did an admirable job, completing 31 of 38 passes for 444 yards and six touchdown passes.
Avery has a quartet of extremely talented receivers from which to choose. Cody Hamilton leads the way with 26 catches for 353 yards, an average of better than 17 yards per catch. Hamilton has five touchdowns. Kenya Coombs is another weapon who has 22 catches for more than 400 yards, an 18.5 yards per catch average. Coombs also has five TDs.
Troy Wolf has 15 catches for 184 yards and tight end Kevin Smith has 11 catches, but both are averaging more than 12 yards per play. They have three touchdown receptions between them.
When the Minutemen decide to run, senior Brian Byrne does the yeoman’s work, carrying it 46 times for 223 yards and five scores. He has also caught two TD passes.
Junior Derek Gallik averages better than seven yards a pop when he carries the ball, giving Avery another option out of the backfield. Avery himself has run for more than 100 yards on the season.
Defensively, the Minutemen are led by linebackers Smith and Terrence Cyphers. Both have 26 solo tackles and Smith leads with 17 assists. Defensive back Tyler Hamman is another hard-hitter on the Lexington defense, who has also intercepted a pass.
West Holmes coach Tom Eastep expects his team to be ready for another tough OCC foe on Friday and hopes his team plays with the same heart and intensity they have shown the past few weeks.