PREP FOOTBALL: Central's defense will try to slow down E'town (9/5)

By CHUCK JONES cjones@thenewsenterprise.com CECILIA — Central Hardin senior linebacker Seth Logsdon realizes the challenge the Bruins face with Elizabethtown’s high-octane offense. “It’s an offense that’s meant to score,” Logsdon said. “They have a lot of good players and it’s built to score.” Logsdon’s not lying. The Panthers hung 55 points on Bardstown Bethlehem in their opener. Despite breaking in a new quarterback in senior Micheal Thomas, the Panthers passed for 302 yards and scored seven times through the air. Both teams ride a wave a confidence into the annual clash. Central Hardin shut out Erlanger Lloyd Memorial, 24-0, while Elizabethtown routed Bethlehem, 55-12. The teams meet at 8 tonight at Doug Smith Memorial Stadium. “Last week’s practices were OK,” Central Hardin junior Jeremy Barr said. “This week, you can tell a big difference. Everyone is focused and we know what we’ve got to do. Winning last week was really big, because it gave us a lift.” In last year’s game against Central Hardin, then-quarterback J.D. Tanner completed 36-of-71 passes for 489 yards and five touchdowns. Senior Chris Gohman made 16 grabs for 238 yards and three scores. “This is definitely a challenge for our defense,” Central Hardin junior cornerback Cameron Chaney said. “They love to throw the ball. They have big receivers and they have athletic receivers. This may be our biggest challenge all year as far as a receiving corps.” Central Hardin coach Mike Lawson said Elizabethtown’s receivers present a multitude of problems. Senior Trevor Deneen and Gohman, both three-year starters, combined for eight catches for 151 yards and five touchdowns against Bethlehem. Freshman wideout Devante Clarkson and sophomore tight end Mitchell Henry each added scoring receptions. “Their skilled kids, Gohman, Deneen, (Titus) Sublett … they have a wide range of weapons,” Lawson said. “They have a lot of playmakers on the field.” Thomas, in charge of getting to the arsenal of weapons, had an outstanding debut. He shredded overmatched Bethlehem, completing 14-of-18 passes for 268 yards and six touchdowns and making an impression on Lawson. “His decision-making was very good,” Lawson said. “He was very accurate and you don’t see that from a guy starting his first game in this offense. I was real impressed with the way he played.” When Lawson refers to this offense, it’s the spread offense, which Tony Franklin made popular, and both teams use it. But Lawson said he doesn’t think either team has the advantage. “I don’t think it helps either way,” Lawson said. “They do a lot of things different than I do it. It’s not exactly the same. There’s subtle differences both ways.” Unlike Elizabethtown, the Bruins don’t rely as heavily on the pass as Lawson prefers a balanced attack. Against Lloyd Memorial in their opener, the Bruins rushed for 186 yards and passed for 188 yards. “We were balanced last week,” said Barr, who had 80 yards rushing and 75 receiving. “We don’t do just one or the other. We can do both and we can be successful at both. Teams can’t just worry about me, because we have Darius (Revels) in the backfield. And we have Mikey (Ward), Rex (Kelly) and Cameron (Martin) … they’re all good receivers.” While establishing a running game is important every week, Lawson said getting a ground attack launched against the Panthers is vital. “We need to be able to control the ball and keep their offense off the field,” Lawson said. “To do that we need to establish a running game. We need to be able to move the ball and not give them as many chances.” The Bruins, who won last year’s meeting, 48-35 after falling behind early, are well aware of what Elizabethtown’s offense can do if given the opportunity. “We’re not going to be shocked when they come out throwing,” Chaney said. “It definitely gets you excited as a secondary, knowing your going to have the opportunity to make plays.” Chuck Jones can be reached at 505-1759