Confident Clovers ready for conference commencement

Thursday, September 5, 2013
Cloverdale senior Cody Stout (44) makes a tackle during a game earlier this season as a swarm of defenders close in. The Clovers will need to be sure in their tackling on Friday as they take on the high-powered rushing attack of Monrovia. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

The Cloverdale football team has started its season 0-2, but the group has been in both games and the Clovers think they're on the brink of building something.

That confidence will be put on display Friday as the Clovers host WCC opponent Monrovia (1-1, 1-1 WCC). Cloverdale was shutout in last year's matchup, but it's a different team and the players are much more confident in their abilities this time around.

"I think the fact that we have been competitive in our first two games has been a huge confidence boost for the players," CHS coach Jarrod Duff said. "They're starting to see that if we continue to work toward doing things the right way and getting better every day we will se results on the field."

Monrovia has a powerful rush attack that has been difficult for opponents to stop early in the season, but the Bulldogs' defense has been suspect. Greencastle put up 34 against them in a win during week one, and Cascade hung up 28 last week.

Those teams have done a lot of their damage through the air, which hasn't been a specialty for Cloverdale in recent years. That may have turned around last week when CHS quarterbacks combined for 113 yards and two touchdowns in just one half.

Cloverdale trailed Indianapolis Marshall 20-13 before the game was called due to weather. In a new wrinkle, the Clovers alternated possessions between senior quarterback Mark Osmialowski and freshman Duke Duff.

"We want to be balanced offensively. Hopefully, we can succeed in being that type of team offensively Friday night," Duff said. "We will continue to alternate quarterbacks this week. As a staff, we constantly evaluate every position, on a daily basis, and put kids in a position where they can help the team be successful.

"Playing Mark and Duke and quarterback helps us as a team. So, we will continue to alternate them as long as that is true."

On the opposite side of the ball the Clovers face what might be a bigger challenge, the Bulldogs well-trained, well-practiced rushing attack.

Monrovia is averaging 325 yards per game on the ground.

"To stop their running game, we are going to have to be disciplined, physical and good tacklers," Duff said. "If we do those things we will have a chance to contain them."

The Clovers are preparing for a tough opponent and they'll be a long shot to pull it out. But they'll be ready. And they'll be motivated.

"I think the motivation in this game comes from the fact that we are playing a quality football team on our home field," Duff said. "Each time out we want to compete at a high level, regardless of the team we are playing against. ... We are not satisfied with where we are.

"They see that we are closer, but still not all the way there, and the only way to get there is to continue to improve."

Cloverdale hosts Monrovia on Friday at 7 p.m.

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