The Trimble High School football team is no stranger to its current standing. Last season, the Tomcats fell in their first two contests before winning seven of their final eight games en route to a 7-3 finish.
Coach Phil Faires and his 2011 crew are hoping to replicate the way the Tomcats rebounded.
“We wanted to improve on last year,” Faires said. “We have to win the remaining eight games. If we do that, we will make it into the playoffs.”
Trimble had anything but an easy start to the year, hosting rival Nelsonville-York in its opener before facing Wahama High School, the runner-up in last year’s West Virginia state playoffs.
The Tomcats’ slow start can be attributed to injuries to some of the team’s key players.
“We have to get everyone on the field,” Faires said. “We have to be tougher and have a little more heart.”
At one point in last week’s game at Wahama, Faires had only three of 11 defensive starters on the field becaus of player injuries, forcing them to rely heavily on underclassmen in the 47-22 loss.
Though playing underclassmen might benefit Trimble down the road, it was a hindrance in the opening two weeks.
One bright spot for the Tomcats this season has been quarterback Justin Jewell, who completed 18 of 39 passes for 192 yards against Wahama last Friday.
Jewell’s primary receiver has been Wyatt Deak, who picked up 150 yards receiving against Wahama.
Jewell also was able to scamper for 62 yards on five carries.
Despite the team’s success through the air, Faires said he was less than pleased with Trimble’s offensive attack.
“We threw too much, which is a sign of desperation,” Faires said. “We need to develop a running game — Wahama forced us to pass.”
The Tomcats’ offensive line showed some promise, limiting the Wahama defense to a single sack.
jr992810@ohiou.edu
