Woodridge football uses running game to dominate Streetsboro

Having a stable of athletes who play running back and perform well is something that Woodridge football relies upon.

Besides offering a rest to players who may also have huge roles on defense, the Bulldogs can use the ground game to open up its passing attack.

Veteran head coach Jeff Decker realizes that his teams can never have enough backs to run the football.

It showed in the Bulldogs’ recent 35-7 domination at Streetsboro in a Metro Athletic Conference clash.

The Rockets (4-4 overall) may only be 2-3 in league action, but Streetsboro recently gave Cloverleaf fits – that same Colt squad that handed Woodridge its first MAC loss of the year.

While the Bulldog defense dominated the Rockets and held the hosts to just 164 total yards and 10 first downs, Woodridge used a superb effort in the trenches to rush for 387 yards against an overwhelmed Rocket defense.

It was a victory that pushed Woodridge to 4-1 in the MAC, joining Norton and Cloverleaf at the top of the standings prior to week nine as the Dogs hosted Ravenna (3-5, 1-4).

A tough test in week ten looms large in the MAC as Woodridge hosts Field (4-4, 3-2) Oct. 21.

Junior Robert Dixie paced the bevy of Bulldog ball carriers with 16 carries for 144 yards and touchdown runs of 24 and 14 yards.

The fun aspect for Woodridge is that their running back room is crowded with a plethora of underclassmen.

Taysear Williams had 15 attempts for 95 yards and the junior had a one-yard touchdown plunge.

In addition, sophomore Nassir Abdullah chipped in 86 yards on just five totes, including a 22-yard scoring run.

Powerful senior Terrance Wray also had a couple of carries for 14 yards for Bulldogs, who moved to 5-3 overall this season.

“Our backs are not selfish and love to cheer for each other,” pointed out Decker. “Whoever is in runs REALLY hard and that really keeps us fresh, not only for the game, but for the season as a whole.”

“Going into this week, many teams’ running back would have 150-200 carries, that amount is really split between three or four of our guys,” said Decker.

Junior quarterback Charlie Lambes was held out due to a tender shoulder and versatile wide out Johnny Howard got the start.

“Lambes’ shoulder has been giving him trouble and was just a bit too sore and Johnny found out Wednesday that he would start,” said Decker.

“Johnny was awesome in accepting this challenge and because he has such a different skill set, he really hasn’t taken a lot of reps this year at that position,” added Decker. “We changed our game plan and obviously Johnny did it well. He can run and pass, but is very fast so he puts a different kind of pressure on the defense.”

Senior David Hitchings, who has some starting experience at quarterback and who has moved to wide receiver, returns punts and also has been the placekicker holder, came in late in the first half. He found junior tight end Evan Duve in the end zone for a five-yard touchdown pass on a crossing route as the first half expired.

The touchdown pass by Hitchings was set up by a 7-yard toss to junior wide out Artrell Wallace. Hitchings was 2-2 passing for 12 yards.

Howard, a versatile junior athlete who plays wide receiver and cornerback, used his running skills well at Streetsboro as the speedster had 14 rushes for 48 yards. He also was 2-3 passing for 14 yards and intercepted a pass on defense.

“David Hitchings had been our back-up until a summer time broken collar bone and he only returned about a month ago,” said Decker. He throws certain routes very well and it was truly a clutch performance by both players.”

“I thought David was patient in the pocket and made a beautiful throw on the touchdown,” added Decker. “David is a team player and would play on the offensive line if we asked him. He is willing to do whatever the team needs.”

The defense was a bigger highlight than the quarterback spot for the Dogs.

Other defensive leaders were Williams, senior Gavin Nesbitt (fumble recovery), senior Oliver Mayer, Duve, senior Sam Mencer, senior Owen Snyder and sophomore Gavin Lynch.

“Our front seven really stood out,” said Decker. “The D-line absolutely dominated the line of scrimmage from the opening play. (Senior) Jeremiah Newsom, Mayer, Nesbitt, Wray, and Williams were dominant.”

Williams is used as an outside linebacker as well as an end out on the edge. The Bulldog defensive brass likes to stand him up at times, push him out off of the line, or down at the end spot.

“I thought our linebackers - Duve, Snyder, Mencer and Williams had tipped passes, an interception (Williams), and 20 some tackles between them,” said Decker.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Woodridge uses running game to dominate Streetsboro