Following a heartbreaking 28-24 loss against conference rival Whiteland last Friday night, the Woodmen turn their focus to their Sectional opener at Connersville.
GHS had a successful season compared to those in recent years. Posting a 4-5 (2-5) record, the Woodmen improved their win total from a 1-9 (0-9) record in the 2022 fall season.
“We obviously struggled a lot last year,” senior Jaxton McClain, left guard, said. “Our offense struggled to score, and we did not play well on defense either. This year we have a different scheme on offense, and the defense is better every week.”
The new offensive scheme, courtesy of first-year coach, Justin Boser, is high flying with more pass plays and some trickery. For the last two decades, GHS was known for their relentless ground attack. This new offense is fun and has proven to be successful.
“The run game was the backbone of the Greenwood offense for so long,” senior Brock Riddle, quarterback, said. “As a kid, you don’t really notice it, but as we got older watching the games, we noticed just how much the play call was a run. I would be lying if I said I don’t like throwing the ball often. We have fun with the offense and the few trick plays we run.”
With this new “West Coast” style offense, the Woodmen expect to utilize their passing game to push them past a solid Connersville team.
“Our run game has been important this year, but this week we will probably be passing the ball more,” senior Amare Middleton, wide receiver, said. “They have a better run defense, and their conference and play style is more suited for the run game. Our athletes outside are fast, and we plan on using them as the difference maker.”
The Connersville Spartans of the Eastern Indiana conference boast a 2-7 (0-3) record. The Eastern Indiana conference includes 4A State title contender and Sectional foe East Central. Connersville lost to East Central 0-64 in week 7.
“We look at the schedule and see a few blowout losses and some close games as well,” McClain said. “We also have the same couple of blowout games that were closer than the score may tell. We can’t overlook them and think they will just roll over and let us beat them. It’ll be a battle, and it’ll be tough to defend their run game.”
The Spartans rushed for 910 yards and 10 touchdowns compared to their 35 passing yards and 1 passing touchdown. The bulk of these rushing yards falls onto the shoulders of junior running back Micah Buchanan. Buchanan rushed for 636 yards and tagged on seven touchdowns.
“Most of their offensive production has come from Buchanan,” senior Cooper Smith, linebacker, said. “He’s quick, strong, and a better athlete than some of the guys in our conference. Our gameplan on defense is to stop him and keep him from getting to the next level.”
The storyline for the Woodmen offense has been turnovers. A late fumble cost the Woodmen the game against Whiteland last week, and a few costly mistakes have proven to be haymakers in weeks prior. Connersville’s defense has forced eight turnovers on the season but have not recorded an interception.
“They force fumbles and have a ton of tackles for loss,” Riddle said. “They have a solid run stopping front seven, but the pass defense hasn’t been strong. Capitalizing on deep balls and executing our middle routes will be huge. I need to be better with the ball and not force as many throws into tight coverages. We need to take what they give us and control the time of possession.”
The Woodmen will travel to Connersville tonight to take on the Spartans at 7 p.m. Connersville is all cash with tickets being bought at the gates. The winner will face either Edgewood or Jennings County next week.
