Redmen look to end Ashland streak

Gazette Sports Editor

sports@gazettepublishingco.com

In what has turned into a pretty good little rivalry, the Bellevue Redmen will host the Ashland Arrows in the second football game of the season.

Last week Ashland defeated Northern Ohio League member Willard, 51-12, while Bellevue beat the Perkins Pirates 27-16.

While the Redmen hold the series lead 4-3, Ashland has won the last three including last year's 31-21 victory. This will be the last game of the series and Bellevue coach Ed Nasonti wants to end it with a victory.

"In 2003 we beat them in overtime and again in 2004, but they have gotten the better of us the last few seasons," Nasonti said. "We always play them tough. Last year it was a three point game with nine minutes to go in the game. We are not satisfied with just playing tough, we want to win. There are no moral victories for Bellevue."

The Arrow's have lost some key players from last season's playoff team. Quarterback Taylor Housewright, who passed for 31 touchdowns and scored seven rushing TDs has graduated, as well as key wide receivers Anthony Fairhurst, Logan Kerr and Tyler McFarlin.

The Redmen defense will have its hands full with Ashland running back Shane Kipp. Kipp ran for a school record 327 yards and four touchdowns last Friday against Willard.

"He is a physical, strong kid. There will be no arm tackling this kid. We will have to change our defense up during the course of the game and have all 11 guys get to the ball," said Nasonti.

Marcus Fuller will be the starting quarterback for the Arrows. He completed three of nine passes last week with one touchdown. Grant Fairhurst is the leading wide receiver for Ashland, hauling in two catches last week for 54 yards, including a 42-yeard score.

The Ashland offense will be tough to contain as they racked up 566 yards of total offense in week one.

"Ashland has an outstanding running back and a good quarterback even though he is just a sophomore. They will line up and run at you. They have a very big offensive line, with four guys being over 300 pounds. They also will run a spread type of offense, so we will have to change up our defense," Nasonti said.

The Redmen also have an outstanding quarterback in junior Curtis Watson. Last week against Perkins, Watson completed 21 of 26 passes for 232 yards and a touchdown. A few of his incompletions were dropped passes.

"Curtis is an outstanding quarterback. He works very hard and is a great leader for us. We have the right guy calling the signals for us," said Nasonti.

The Arrow defense will also be tough as they gave up only 24 rushing yards against Willard and picked off two passes.

The Arrow defense will be anchored by seniors Ryan Smeltzer (FS), Cody Fast (DT), and Jacob Oberholtzer (LB). Other defensive starters for the Arrows include Trent Cooper (DE), Paul Baker (DT), Justin Stewart (nose tackle), Ryan Carper (DE), Brandon Zeigler (LB), Anthony Deppen (MLB), Matt Smith (CB), and Josh Allen (CB).