Hobbling along

Injuries have plagued the Sacred Heart Trojans (4-3, 1-2) all season long.
And when the Trojans hit the road tomorrow night to Slaughter Community Charter for their battle with the Knights, Sacred Heart will still be nursing a number of injuries that have key players unavailable at kickoff. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
“Last week against North Central, we had six or seven starters out because of injury,” stated Sacred Heart head coach Josh Harper. “This week it does not get any better. We may get back one or two of those guys, but we are still hobbling along with other players. This has just been a crazy season when it comes to the injury bug and the number of players that it has bit.”
Despite those injuries, the Trojans took care of the business at hand last week, blasting the Hurricanes 54-12. Going back to basics on offense, Sacred Heart rushed for over 250 yards on the ground and amassed a total of 400 yards of total offense.
“With all of the injuries, we decided to run the single wing because we can simplify the terminology and the blocking scheme,” said Harper. “It allows the younger players that are having to start a chance to react instead of think. The way it went this past Friday night, that maybe the offense we go with the rest of the way.”
Tomorrow night, the Trojan offense will be called upon once again, not only to score points but to keep the football away from a Knight offense that averages 29.9 points per game. Slaughter Charter (4-3, 2-1) has put up some impressive numbers this season, scoring 30 points or more in four games this year, including a 54 point effort against North Central two weeks ago. Last week the Knights beat Beekman Charter 20-7 in a non-district game.
“This team is so much improved from last year,” commented Harper. “I didn’t see much of an identity from them offensively last season. This year, they know what they want to do. They want to throw the ball.”
“They have the quarterback and the receivers to do just that,” Harper continued. “Their quarterback gets rid of it quickly and is accurate. They want to get the yards after the catch. I think they average 10 runs or less a game.”
Defensively, Slaughter gives up 14.9 points per game, but has surrendered 24 or more points three times this year. However, the Knights have also held opponents to seven points or less in four games.
“They are susceptible to giving up points,” said Harper. “They are not the best defensively, but they are good enough to be competitive. Basically they want to outscore you. Our job is to control the football and keep it out of their offense’s hands. If we can do that we have a chance to come back with the win.”