In a rematch of the 2010 Region 8 Championship game, Kings takes on the Trotwood-Madison Rams this Friday night at Dayton’s Welcome Stadium, game time 7:30 pm. The battle of unbeatens features the Division II #1 ranked Rams versus #2 Kings for the right to represent Region 8 in the state tournament.

 

 

Pre-Game

Head Coach: Maurice Douglas (75-42, eleventh season @ Trotwood)

2010 Record: 12-3, 4-0, GWOC-North Champion, Division II State Runner-up

2011 Record: 12-0, 4-0, GWOC-North Champion

Trotwood enters the Championship game highly touted and for good reason. The Rams ran the table in 2011, defeating their opponents by an average score of 42-15. According to Coach Douglas the winning game plan is a simple one -  “We want to play each and every play the way we’ve played all year. Play fast, play hard and play physical.” It has served them well. The Rams also expect to strike early and often. Over the last four weeks Trotwood has outscored their opponents 82-3 in the first quarter, including a four-touchdown scoring blitz in the first five minutes against Ross. The Rams have delivered under pressure too. Their closest margin of victory came against Piqua, a 26-23 victory, in a game in which Trotwood scored the winning touchdown with just 14 seconds left.

Offense: The Rams opened the season with a few questions on offense due to the graduation of several key skill-position players. Those questions were quickly answered in the form of transfer QB Michael Simpson (3,216 yards and 26 TD’s while attending Chaminade-Julienne) and the emergence of RB Israel Green. In 2011 Simpson has thrown for over 2,000 yards with 25 TD’s and only 6 INT’s. He gets great protection up front with an experienced line led by Jordan Ashe and LJ Mosley that has surrendered just 17 sacks all year. RB Green has rushed for over 1,300 yards with 17 TD’s while averaging nearly 10 yards/carry. His backfield mate, RB Ashton Jackson has racked up over 800 yards with 14 TD’s. When Simpson drops back his favorite targets have been Trai Mobley (45 receptions, 7 TD’s) and Dalin Byrd. When the Rams need a big play though, watch for his big TE, Michael McCray, to get the ball (24 receptions, 9 TD’s). As a team, the Rams average an impressive 450 yards per game in total offense, with a Run/Pass balance of 56/44, the most balanced offense the Knights have faced so far.

Special Teams: Kicker Eric Copsy is 45/59 on X/P’s and 0/1 on FG attempts this year. Trotwood has used a few different punters this year but as a team averages around 31 yards per attempt.

 Defense: The Rams bring the GWOC’s number 1-rated defense to the game, surrendering 255 yards per contest. The defense is led by Bam Bradley, a Second-Team All-Ohio selection last season. Bradley leads the team in tackles and has 3 INT’s this year. He’s joined in the secondary by Cameron Burrows and Reon Dawson, each with three interceptions as well. Treyvon Williams-Brown leads the Rams in sacks from his DL position. Trotwood has size, strength, and speed on this side of the ball and uses it effectively, forcing 25 turnovers in 2011. In their 1st round play-off game against Ross the Rams blocked two punts, returning one for a score. Michael McCray recorded two interceptions last week (a third was nullified by penalty) versus Wapakoneta, returning one 75-yards for a touchdown.

Team Comparisons: