WILLIAMSTOWN - Given what happened last week in their home-opener against Wayne, the Red Devils from Ravenswood are probably wishing for something less taxing when they welcome Williamstown to Jackson County on Friday night.
That probably won't be the case since the Yellowjackets are coming off a victory where they posted their best offensive numbers of the season.
"We fell behind to Wayne 32-0 so fast, we were just shell-shocked," Ravenswood coach Mick Price said while trying to put the 84-42 loss in perspective. "Obviously, you don't ever want to be put in a situation like that. They put us in such a hole that we were digging our way out all night. They were so aggressive and so fast, and it's hard for us to replicate that.
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MICHAEL UHL Special to The Times
Williamstown’s Chris McDuffy (82) rushes the South Harrison quarterback during prep football action last Friday night. The Yellowjackets won 49-7.
"To our kids' credit, they kept playing hard. No one quit on the field. They saw what it was like and what level they need to play at to be really good."
Ravenswood enters this week's contest - scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff - with a 2-1 record, while Williamstown pulled even at 2-2 with last week's 49-7 win against South Harrison.
Against the Hawks, the Yellowjackets finished with a season-high 532 yards of total offense, including 416 on the ground. Trace Hart inched closer to the top of the list among Williamstown ballcarriers after rushing for 148 yards on just four carries, while scoring two touchdowns.
Teammate Dakota Watson contributed 124 yards on only six rushes.
"The offensive line blocked really well for them," Williamstown coach Terry Smith said. "Trace Hart, Dakota Watson and Brad Meeks have been doing a good job."
In nine years as Williamstown head coach, Smith has never faced Ravenswood. The long-time mentor is just six wins shy of 100 for his career.
Despite being in just his first year at the helm with the Red Devils, Price is fully aware of what the Yellowjackets bring to the table.
"The tradition they have at Williamstown is second to none in Class A - they are in the upper echelon," Price said. "I know how hard Terry and his staff work. They've always had good football teams, and I have all the respect for their staff and the athletes they put on the field."
Price is impressed by Williamstown's size on the line on both sides of the ball. In addition to their running backs, quarterback Jake Tracewell put up solid numbers against South Harrison after throwing for 111 yards on 5-of-9 passing.
Ravenswood counters with Devan Cruz and Rhys Jelich, who combined for 212 yards rushing against Wayne. Quarterback Heath Burgess gives the Red Devils an added threat.
Of course, it all comes down to tackling and that's an area which concerns coach Smith. The Yellowjackets are surrendering an average of 272 yards rushing per game.
"Against South Harrison, I thought we were better than we had been but I still wonder how good we are tackling," Smith said. "I don't think we were really good tacklers, but we won.
"It just felt good to be at home for the first time this year, play in front of the home crowd and move into our new locker rooms. The kids were excited about that."
