Monday, October 29, 2012

Madeira Recap

Madeira 21 - Wyoming 7






On a rainy Friday night at Madeira High School, The 2012 Wyoming football season ended in a heartbreaker, falling to the Mustangs 21-7. The game was hard fought by both sides, with the Cowboys coming back within a touchdown in the 3rd quarter, but only for the Mustangs to regain their 2 TD lead late in the game.

I profiled this game as coming down to the Rushing prowess of Madeira's Timmy James, and how the Wyoming defense would fare against him on the ground. But this game came down to something much different, the Wyoming offense. All day, the Cowboys were stifled and couldn't put a drive together until late in the 3rd quarter, when Terrell Dailey broke a tackle on the sideline to run away with a 15 yard touchdown. The Cowboy offense was held to only 290 yards, 192 yards through the air, and only 98 on the ground. This are in drastic comparison to the Cowboys average of 405 per game, and shows just how stifling the Mustangs defense was. The Mustangs also broke through to sack Marty 5 times on the day. The Cowboys QB ended the season first in the league with 2413 yards, and Ben Kurtz ended the season with 1022 yards to lead the CHL.

The Wyoming defense could not contain the powerful rushing prowess of Madeira's Timmy James, who rushed for 211 yards and 2 TDs, 53% of the Mustang offense that night. They contained the passing attack, as they usually do, to only 112 yards, but it was not enough as the offense just couldn't find it's way into the endzone. The Wyoming defense finishes the season in next to last in total defense.

Even though the season ends early for the Cowboys, and they did not capture the CHL title, a 7-3 season is quite respectable for first year head coach Aaron Hancock, especially after starting the season 0-2. Will Marty, Casey Howell, Dominic Vamosi and Terrell Dailey all return next year as seniors, and everyone will be looking forward to a powerful Cowboy 2013 team. It has been a true pleasure covering the team through their ups and downs. I look forward to covering them next year.







photo courtesy of Rod Apfelbeck

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Madeira Preview





WYOMING COWBOYS (7-2)                        MADEIRA MUSTANGS (8-1)

After all the workouts, the practices, and the preparation, the season comes down to one game. Tomorrow night, the Cowboys put their 6-0 CHL record on the line against the Madeira Mustangs (8-1), their only competition for the CHL title and the decisive game to either teams playoff berth. Put simply, if you win, you're in. This game will be a duel of CHL leaders, with Wyoming's Will Marty and Ben Kurtz holding the league leads in Passing and Receiving yards, respectively. Marty has 2221 yards, while Kurtz is in at 968. That means 44% of his passing are completed to number 8. Meanwhile, the Mustangs have Leaders in Rushing yards, with Timmy James, sacks in Andrew McDulin, and Interceptions in Matt Ballweg.

The Cowboys showed their strongest aspect of their game last Friday against Finneytown, airing the ball out for 234 passing yards and 4 touchdowns. They will rely on Quarterback Will Marty to do the same this week, against a Madeira defense that has only allowed 10 passing TDs all year. The Cowboys should look to move the ball quickly and reliably, as the Mustangs have one of the most lethal pass rushers in the CHL in Andrew McDulin. The Senior D Lineman leads the team in tackles, has a league leading 17.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. Marty will have to get rid of the ball early to prevent this playmaker from wreaking havoc.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Cowboys will face their toughest test of the season in Madeira's Timmy James. The Senior Running back is the CHL leader in rushing yards, and has 18 touchdowns this year. He is most deadly in the short field, as his longest Touchdown this season is for 56 yards. However, the Cowboys must counter the option of QB Zack Jansen, who is not afraid to run as well, with 9 TDs and 475 yards on the ground. The Wyoming D can really alter the tempo of this game by stepping up and shutting down James in the backfield.

After all is said and all the stats are counted, this game will come down to one thing: drive. In a matchup that's sure to be a shootout right from the start, two high caliber teams clashing for the league title and a trip to state, the team that goes out with passion and fury will surely come away with the W, and a CHL banner.





Game info: vs. Madeira Mustangs (8-1)
@Madeira High School
Friday, Oct. 26th 
730

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Finneytown Recap

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To keep their CHL unbeaten streak alive for one more week, the Cowboys upended the Finneytown Wildcats 49-20 to keep them winless. Wyoming moves to 7-2, and hasn't lost a game since week two. They head into the final week of the regular season against the Madeira Mustangs (8-1) for the CHL title and a trip to the playoffs.

 121019_WHSVFB_754In this game, it looked like a shootout at first, but in the third quarter, the Cowboys exploded. Wyoming got on the board first with a phrase we should be used to now, Will Marty hooking up with Ben Kurtz for a TD, this one for 14 yards. But Manny Martin came back for the Wildcats with a 2 yard rush, but Finneytown failed to cash in a two point conversion, so Wyoming still has the one point lead. Then, Kurtz and Marty struck again, to up the lead to 14-6 going into quarter two. Not much scoring in quarter 2, but the Cowboys did extend their lead with a 25 yard TD pass, Marty's third of the game, to Terrell Dailey.  In the third however, the Cowboys put their foot on the gas. After the Wildcats shortened the lead to 21-14, the Wyoming Offense exploded. First, Terrell Dailey broke away with a 41 yard rush, then Will Marty did some rushing of his own, cruising into the endzone from 12 yards out. Then, Terrell Dailey took it to paydirt again by punching it in from the 3. Finally, Dawson Rogers caught Marty's fourth TD of the game and the Junior QBs 24th of the year. At this point, the game was steadily in the Cowboys hands. However, the Wildcats added one late tally in the 4th, but it was all for naught.

This victory sets up a title game this week, With the Mustangs sitting in 1st place in the CHL, and the Cowboys in 2nd. This game will decide whose season ends early, and who ventures into the playoffs. Look for my preview later this week.

Next game: @ Madeira Mustangs (8-1)
Friday, Oct. 26th 
730





photos courtesy of Rod Apfelbeck

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Finneytown Preview













WYOMING COWBOYS (6-2)               FINNEYTOWN WILDCATS (0-8) 


After getting an important win last Friday over Mariemont, the Cowboys head into their last home game with pride. After all, it's always an important game the night of senior night. This year, Wyoming will face the lowly    Finneytown Wildcats (0-8). The Wildcats will be gunning for their first win of the season, as well as their first victory over the Cowboys since 2005.

After the Wyoming offense matched a powerful Mariemont backfield last week on the ground, they will look to continue their running prowess against a team that has allowed an average of 258 rush yards per game. Through the air, Will Marty looks to add to his ridiculous, league leading yardage, which is steadily in the lead at 1,967. He will find a reliable target in CHL leading receiver Ben Kurtz, who has already broken three Wyoming records this year.

On defense, the Cowboys will undoubtedly control the tempo against a team that has only had 9 TDs all year. They will have to prevent the rushing game of Dante Goodwin, who leads the team in total TDs this year with 5.

Overall, the Cowboys should control the game from the opening kick, and get a big win for the class of '13 seniors.

Next Game: Finneytown (0-8)
Friday, Oct. 19th 
Bob Lewis Stadium
Senior Night
730

Monday, October 15, 2012

Mariemont Wrap Up

Wyoming 37- Mariemont 22

In a great win at home in the second to last home game of the year, the Cowboys pulled off a remarkable win over the Mariemont Warriors to move up to 6-2 and 5-0 in the CHL. Although they are still a point behind Madeira in the standings, who moved to 7-1 with a big win over Deer Park on Friday, they remain in the hunt for the CHL title. 

In a game I profiled as a running clinic for Mariemont, the Cowboys came out of the gate and put on  a clinic of their own, breaking away for 234 yards and four TDs. Will Marty brought out his inner Cam Newton, scoring 3 TDs on the ground, while still throwing for 201 yards, a touchdown to Bilal Dawson and 1 INT.
Junior Terrell Dailey ran for 170 and a touchdown of his own, a 49 scamper down the sideline, simply outlegging the Warrior secondary.

On defense, the Cowboys struggled against the one two punch of Lewis and Jones, who combined for 3 TDS and 226 yards. They were able to hold the Warriors, however, on their passing game. Or lack thereof. Mariemont's Matt Stewart threw the ball only 17 times, and completed just five, along with throwing three interceptions, two to Senior Sam Edwards and 1 to Sophomore Asa Palmer.

Next week, the Cowboys look to add another win to their season before the clash at Madeira for the season finale, and possibly the CHL title. This week, they take on the dismal Finneytown Wildcats (0-8), who drop to last place in the league as the only team without a victory.

Next up: vs. Finneytown (0-8)
Friday, Oct. 19th 
Bob Lewis Stadium 
730

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Mariemont Preview













WYOMING COWBOYS (5-2)                             MARIEMONT WARRIORS (4-3)


After barely escaping Taylor last Friday, the Cowboys face the Mariemont Warriors (4-3) at home this week. The Warriors come off a big 63-14 over lowly Deer Park, capped by 404 rushing yards. Although the Warriors ran all over the Wildcats, they were lacking on offense through the air, completing only 7 of their 14 pass attempts for 72 yards. The Cowboys will yet again face an explosive backfield, as they did last week with Taylor's Cole Evans. Only this week, they will face a double dose in Nick Jones and Ryden Lewis.

Against Taylor, the main factor in the games closeness were turnovers. Will Marty's 3 interceptions nearly cost the game for the Cowboys, so his efficiency will certainly be a factor on Friday. Wyoming's run game excelled still, however, with Terrell Dailey rushing for 148 yards and a touchdown, along with Marty rushing for 59 of his own. He will surely need to excel against Mariemont's D to put this game into Cowboy control.

On defense last week, Wyoming held Cole Evans (2nd in CHL rush yards) to only 3.7 yards per carry. This week, they will face the rushing tandem of Lewis and Jones, who last week combined for 265 yards and 944 total yards all season. Stopping this pair will certainly put a damper on the Warrior offense, as they have only thrown for 11 TDS all year, which matches Will Marty's total for the first four games. If the Cowboy defense can overcome this rushing combo, then the game will be good in Wyoming's favor.

Overall, Mariemont has to come into Bob Lewis as the Underdog, considering the CHL unbeaten streak of the Cowboys. This game will be the predecessor to the tilt at Madeira in the season finale, most likely for the CHL championship. Although the Cowboys still have Finneytown next week, they have yet to get a victory, and Mariemont will definitely put in  a fight.

Next Game: Friday, Oct. 12th 
vs. Mariemont (4-3)
Bob Lewis Stadium
@730 

Monday, October 8, 2012

Taylor Recap

Wyoming 28-Taylor 27

To continue their CHL win streak, the Cowboys needed all 4 quarters and to brush off mistakes in order to escape Taylor with a one point victory. Although Sophomore quarterback Will Marty is usually nearly flawless, he threw 3 interceptions along with 3 TDs against the Yellow Jackets.

Taylor's Junior Running Back Cole Evans showed his importance to the Yellow Jackets, scoring all four of his team's Touchdowns. Evans had 118 yards on the day, averaging 3.7 per carry. Quarterback A.J. Urmston, however, was held to less than 100 yards through the air, with the Cowboys only allowing 91 passing yards as opposed to 269 on the ground.

On offense, the Cowboys got 386 yards of total offense, much short of their average 488. Still, the run game was solid, with Junior RB Terrell Dailey supplying 148 yards and a touchdown, as well as Will Marty adding 59 of his own. As I mentioned before, however, the turnovers in this game almost lead to Wyoming's demise, as Will Marty threw 3 interceptions. He still threw for 176 yards and 3 TDs however.

This game came down the final seconds, as Taylor scored with :11 on the clock in the 4th, but their two point try was stuffed at the line. Although this game came out with a W, it had to be a heart racer for Coach Hancock and the rest of the Cowboy faithful.

This week, the Cowboys take on Mariemont (4-3) on Friday at home. Look for my preview to the Warrior game later this week. 

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Taylor Preview




    WYOMING COWBOYS (4-2)                   TAYLOR YELLOW JACKETS (3-3) 


  After a big win fueled by 4 straight Touchdown passes from Will Marty, the Cowboys roll into Taylor on Friday to try to continue a four game winning streak. The Cowboys will face a Taylor Yellow Jackets (3-3) team that is 3-0 in CHL play, and come off a 6 point victory against Indian Hill last week.

Against Deer Park last Friday, the Wyoming found much of it's offense through the air, with QB Will Marty racking up 434 yards and 4 TDs. They'll need to equal those numbers on a Taylor defense that has stifled passing offenses. Running Back Terrell Dailey should find some room to run on a defense that has allowed 576 yards on the ground in the past three games.

The Wyoming defense will need to be stingy on the run, as the Yellow Jackets have only attempted  34 passes against CHL opponents, giving most of their possessions to Senior RB Cole Evans, who is second in the CHL in rushing yards.

In order for the Cowboys to come out of Taylor with a victory on Friday, they need to successfully run the ball on Taylor's D, as well as contain Cole Evans. This game is set to be smashmouthed, in-your-face running game. Unless of course, Will Marty works his magic over the Yellow Jacket secondary like he does so well.


Next Up: Taylor Yellow Jackets (3-3)
@Taylor High School
Friday, Oct. 5th 
730