MARIETTA -Marietta High's defense limited Bishop Rosecrans to 10 points.
That kind of "D" will win a lot of football games at any level of competition.
Problem was, though, the Adam Eichhorn-coached Tigers (1-7 overall, 0-3 East Central Ohio League) didn't get on the scoreboard for the second consecutive Friday night and dropped a 10-0 decision to the visiting Bishops (7-1, 4-0).
Looking at it another way, the orange and black offense is scoreless in October, and haven't had a touchdown since freshman quarterback John Henry ran 3 yards to paydirt in the fourth quarter of a 41-7 ECOL setback to Cambridge at Don Drumm Stadium on Sept. 28.
Thing is, if MHS can continue to play tough defense and score some points, it could present some problems for host Dover, its next ECOL opponent at 7 p.m. this Friday.
"We need to carry over our effort and intensity from last week," Eichhorn said. "Defensively, we played with a chip on our shoulder. We responded very well to short fields and turnovers. That is a big turnaround from weeks prior."
Fact Box
Matchups
Rosecrans (7-1, 4-0)
at Marietta (1-7, 0-3 ECOL) 7 p.m.
Warren (2-6, 0-3 SEOAL) at Portsmouth (1-7, 0-3) 7:30 p.m.
Marietta's going to have to do some other things to get back on track offensively, like securing the football better. In a 34-0 loss to visiting New Philadelphia on Oct. 5, the Tigers only turned the ball over once, on an interception.
But last Friday night against Rosecrans at Don Drumm, it might as well have been raining cats and dogs as MHS lost three fumbles and had three passes picked off.
"Offensively, we need to focus on ball security," Eichhorn said. "We have turned the ball over way too much this year. We as coaches need to continue to place a lot of emphasis on taking care of the ball."
Henry will probably start again at quarterback. Look for sophomore Zach Hearn, who rushed for a team-high 32 yards on six carries versus Rosecrans, to get more carries.
Henry's primary receiving targets are expected to be Anthony Kimbrough, Quinton Coffield, Connor Beavers and Chance Wright.
While the Bishops are probably playoff-bound in Region 23, Dover - sixth-ranked in Division 3, Region 11 with a 6-2 overall record (3-0 ECOL) - could be even a better team. The Tornadoes have won 37 straight ECOL football games.
Warren at Portsmouth
VINCENT - Two games left, and Warren would naturally like to cap its football season on a high note with a win streak.
At 7:30 p.m. Friday, the Andy Schob-coached Warriors are scheduled to play at Portsmouth High in a Southeastern Ohio Athletic League game. The following week, the royal blue and white gridders will finish up against visiting Logan in another SEOAL tilt in Vincent.
Warren owns a 2-6 overall record (0-3 SEOAL) while Curt Clifford-coached Portsmouth is 1-7 overall and also winless in the league with an 0-3 mark.
"This game and every game is much more than records, or wins and losses," Schob said. "Football is like life filled with adversity and how you and others around you respond to adversity. Our team has done a great job responding and staying excited about the opportunity to play each week."
The Warriors have lost three in a row since defeating Meigs 57-12 on Sept. 21, and the Trojans have dropped six straight since beating Portsmouth West 21-18 on Aug. 31.
Warren is coming off a 52-21 homecoming setback to Gallia Academy last Friday night. The Warriors, who never led in the contest, trailed 35-14 at halftime.
