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 three 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 turn around from weeks prior."
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."
One of Marietta's fumbles came when the Tigers were on the verge of punching one in for a score from the one-foot line early in the contest. But instead, the ball was coughed up and recovered in the end zone by the Bishops for a touchback.
Marietta squandered too many opportunites against Division 6 Rosecrans - and just might have let one slip away.
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 - No. 6-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.
DHS is coming off a 42-9 triumph over Cambridge (5-3, 2-2) at McFarland Stadium last Friday night. The Dan Ifft-coached Tornado defense limited the Bobcats to three fields goals in the contest.
Dover's Mason Mamarella is expected to take center snaps. The Tornado senior QB threw four TD strikes on 19 of 30 passing for 335 yards against Cambridge.
Senior Jonathan Fell had six catches for 126 yards and three touchdowns. Cory Contini chipped in with five receptions for 87 yards, while Trey Wallick had two catches for 43 yards and one score.
Needless to say, Marietta's pass rush and defensive secondary will be tested.
"Dover, just like any team on any Friday, can be beat," Eichhorn said. "We know we need to play mistake free football, but our guys are capable of that.
"Offensively, they are going to spread us out and force us to play in space. We need to be able to get pressure and keep everything in front of us. Defensively, they are very disciplined. It comes down to us winning one-on-one battles up front and getting the ball into the second level."
