Published: October 08, 2008 08:52 am      

Struggling Kosy offense seeks spark

NEW HOPE — When things aren't working then start doing what you know how to do best.

That's exactly what first-year Kosciusko High School head coach Trey Rolison has in mind for his Whippets this week.

"We're going back to the spread offense," Rolison said on Tuesday afternoon. "That's what I know best, so that's what we are going to do."

The Whippets had changed to the double-wing in an effort to take advantage of the speed and elusiveness of quarterback Corvan Greer. But after New Hope held the Whippets to just 67 yards of total offense in a 21-0 Region 4-4A win on Friday night, Rolison decided to return to what he knows best.

"The took away the mid-line that Corvan runs so well and then took away the sweep," Rolison said. "The other thing you can do is play-action passes, but you have to establish the run first and we couldn't do it."

He said he lack of experience with the double-wing hindered his ability to make the play-call adjustments, thus the return to an offense he understands.

"There are a lot of things you can do in the spread," Rolison said. "You just can't take it all away."

Kosciusko will face a formidable task on Friday night when a very agitated West Point team comes into town for a 7 p.m. Region 4-4A game.

Not only did the Wave lose to Noxubee County 42-0, but West Point is also seeking revenge for being knocked out of the playoffs by the Whippets last year.

"I am sure they have a bad taste in their mouth from last week and I understand they weren't happy with some things that happened the last time they played Kosciusko," Rolison said. "Of course none of us were here, but I don't think that really matters."

On Friday night, the Trojans celebrated homecoming by rushing for 258 yards on 52 carries on the way to 324 yards of total offense.

Defensively New Hope picked off three passes and also recovered three fumbles while holding the visiting Whippets — now 2-4 on the season — to just 66 yards of total offense.

"We have got good overall team speed," said New Hope head coach Michael Bradley said. "We looked a little slow against Noxubee County but most everybody does. I was real pleased with the effort we gave on defense tonight."

After recovering a Kosy fumble at the Whippets' 45-yard line, it took New Hope just seven plays to get on the scoreboard, with Josh Ferguson getting around the end to break loose for a 24-yard touchdown run. Tanner Ryals booted the extra point to make it 7-0 with 7:10 left in the first quarter.

A second-quarter pass interception by Jeremy Wells set up the Trojans' next score.

After Wells returned the pick to the Kosciusko 13-yard line, it took the winners just five plays to put the ball on the end zone. The touchdown came on a 15-yard pass from Zak Thrasher to Ferguson with 6:26 left in the first half. Ryals' kick made it 14-0.

New Hope had one more opportunity to score in the first half when it had a third-and-2 at the 9-yard line. After the Trojans were hit with 35 yards of penalties on one play, Thrasher hit Ferguson with a 22-yard pass play to move the ball back down to the 22-yard line setting up a 39-yard field goal attempt by Ryals with less than a minute left in the first half. The kick was long enough, but was just wide right.

It looked like the Trojans were going to blow the game wide open when Vershun Eddings picked up the second-half kick-off on the first bounce and raced down the left sideline for what was apparently an 86-yard touchdown return. However, a penalty across the field nullified the score.

While the Trojans didn't score on their first possession of the third quarter they did find paydirt on their second.

Following a Kosy punt, New Hope moved the ball 59 yards on six plays, to score on a fourth-and-five play on a 34-yard run by Terrance Dentry. Ryals' kick made it 21-0 with 5:26 left in the third quarter.

Dentry led all rushers in the game with 131 yards on 23 carries, while Ferguson added 85 yards on 10 carries, and Thrasher hit on 6-of-12 passes for 66 yards.

Andrew McBride led Kosciusko with 45 rushing yards on nine carries, while Tommy Lewis had two attempts for 22 yards. Greer completed 1-of-7 passes for 14 yards, with McBride making the long reception with a nice catch in traffic over the middle.