Game day: Trojans vs. Clark
An always tough Clark team comes to town tonight at 7 p.m.
The Trojans (2-2 overall, 1-1 Sunset League) hope to increase their league wins to 2-1, and will try to air the ball out against the Chargers.
Clark has given up 386 yards in passing in their last two games against Faith Lutheran and Spring Valley. Their run defense isn't any better, giving up 282 yards to the past two opponents.
Clark (2-2, 0-2 ) is winless in league play and will be looking for their first league win.
Despite the porous defense, Trojans coach Adam Gent is not looking past them.
"They are very well coached and fast," Gent said.
To win, the Trojans will be looking for great play from their corners and linebackers to stuff the run.
According to Gent, Clark runs a spread, which is run heavy and that helps their play action pass game.
"We need to contain the run and force them to pass to be successful defensively," the coach said.
Looking at the last two games, Clark has passed for only 82 yards against Spring Valley and 106 yards against Faith Lutheran. In contrast, they rushed for a total of 274 yards against both opponents.
Defensively the Chargers run a 3-4, which allows them to disguise where they send a blitzing backer almost every down.
In the past, the Trojans have successfully avoided a blitz by changing senior quarterback TJ Milk's launch points. Milk has successfully thrown the ball on the run. Look for some short vertical passes down the middle tonight and some screens.
Of course the Trojans will try to run the ball down the middle with Aaron Fuentes and Tommy Gascoigne or on the sides with Devlin Dillon or Jesse Dillon.
Gent is excited to be playing Clark at home.
"Of course we are excited every Friday night, but playing in front of our amazing home fans makes it that much better," the coach said. "It's going to be a great night."
The Trojans need this win to rise above a slew of teams who are tied at 1-1: Cheyenne, Sierra Vista and Spring Valley.
Next week the schedule doesn't get any easier as the Trojans are on the road to play Cheyenne.
