Hornets run over Timberwolves
Second-year Emmaus head coach Randy Cuthbert felt like many high school coaches do after his team's first game of the season.
He liked some things his team did in Friday night's 41-7 win over East Stroudsburg North. And there were plenty of things the second-year Hornet head coach saw that he'd like to see improve.
"Obviously we were sloppy at times," he said. "The thing I liked the most is when we got into some tough situations the kids always responded."
"We have a lot of stuff to work on. We were in a situation where we were down 7-0, then we bounce back and get 21 in the first half."
After giving up the early score, the Hornets did exactly what Cuthbert wanted. They controlled the line of scrimmage and ran the ball effectively with backs Wyl Miller (196 yards on 17 carries, three touchdowns) and Andrew Davidson (87 yards on nine carries, three touchdowns).
Emmaus had 14 running plays that went for 10 or more yards.
"We know we're going to hit a lot of big plays in the running game," said Cuthbert. "Andrew Davidson and Wyl Miller are going to be a force to contend with this year.
"We're going to keep it simple. It's not anything fancy. I think our line did a great job. Everyone was talking about how we graduate everybody (on the offensive line), but those guys did a great job. I thought they really came through and controlled the line of scrimmage tonight. I think we're bigger and stronger up front this year."
Emmaus' first-year varsity starters on the line were junior center Josh Purnell, junior guards Richie Roman and Eric Miller, senior tackle Zach Muller, junior tackle Jared Romig, along with tight ends Tom Wagner and Kyle Carraher.
Emmaus fell behind 7-0 when East Stroudsburg scored on a fourth-and-eight frm their own 17-yard line less than three minutes into the first quarter.
The Hornets answered with a six-play, 58-yard drive capped by Wyl Miller's 5-yard touchdown run.
After allowing the Trimberwolves one first down on their next drive, Emmuas didn't allow another for the rest of the first half.
"It's a different look when you play an option team," said Cuthbert. "You've got to be disciplined. You've got to do your assignment. You can't be a hero and try to make a play that's not yours. Once we settled down and got a little used to it, the defense played really well."
"The offense punched them in the mouth first," said Wyl Miller. "The defense picked it up and finished the job."
Emmaus scored on its next drive, going 69 yards in eight plays to take a 14-7 lead after Wyl Miller's 8-yard touchdown run.
The Hornets capilatized on a bad punt snap in the second quarter that resulted in Davidson's 1-yard plunge into the end zone and a 21-7 halftime lead.
Wyl Miller scampered for a 69-yard touchdown on his team's second possession of the second half for a 28-7 lead with 6:19 left in the third quarter.
Davidson scored his second touchdown of the game on a 34-yard run that ended the fourth quarter. He got his third score on a 13-yard punt return touchdown, which gave Emmaus a 41-7 lead with 3:36 left to play.
Now Emmaus must prepare for an Easton team that it upset last year when the Rovers played without Shane Simpson, one of the best running backs in the league last season.
Emmaus visits the mecca of Lehigh Valley High School football, Cottingham Stadium, this Friday night to face a 1-0 team that beat Pleasant Valley 49-14 last week.
"It's a great place to play," said Cuthbert. "They're a great team. They're very well coached. It's always interesting. Last year they're tailback got injured and didn't play. He's a special player. We're very similar in a lot of ways. It's going to be fun to watch."