Sharkey: Run defense a concern

A comment by Ferris coach Jim Sharkey that the Saxons needed to shore up their run defense seemed curious considering the fact they have allowed only one touchdown in two football games this year.

Sharkey was recapping Friday’s 35-7 win over East Valley and looking ahead to Thursday’s South Hill showdown with rival Lewis and Clark.

“We were laughing about that in the coaches’ meeting,” Sharkey agreed, “about fretting over our run defense at the same time we’ve only allowed one score. But actually we have a lot to correct after Friday.”

Ferris has outscored North Central and EV 75-7 in two wins, but allowed 264 yards to the Knights, 137 on the ground. EV had 471 yards of total offense.

“The game was closer than the stats,” Sharkey said. “We played them big.

“The defensive line was not up to standard. It’s a concern. They need to get off the blocks better and get lower.”

Ferris scored on its first three possessions for a 21-0 lead at halftime, but also needed a goal-line stand and goal-line interception to hold back the Knights.

Quarterback Jeff Minnerly threw for 325 yards and four touchdowns, including a 48-yard catch and run by back Nathan Tonani and a 75-yarder to receiver Jared Karstetter.

Karstetter was back after missing the season-opening game. He had three catches for 108 yards. Shawn Stockton had 76 yards before spraining his ankle and Andrew Weigand added 77 yards, both receivers’ grabs mainly from shovel passes out of the slot.

“One thing that has improved is our execution on offense,” said Sharkey. “The offensive line is doing as well as I’d hoped and having the system in for a year and doing all the summer work has made a difference.”

But defensively things need to improve, he said, particularly with Thursday’s upcoming game against LC.

“They are an amazing team right now,” said Sharkey of the Tigers. “Their defensive front is probably the best in league right now. And their linebackers are much better than people thought at the beginning of the year.”

While Sharkey seeks better execution on defense, Tigers coach Tom Yearout, whose defensive front was dominating against Mead, said LC needs to be able to execute downfield better on offense.

Such contrast concerns should make for an interesting game. Last year Ferris beat LC 17-14.

Nelson wins round one

The state’s top two returning girls cross country runners squared off for the first time this year and Shadle Park sophomore Andrea Nelson won round one. Nelson beat Bellarmine Prep’s Nicole Cochran 11:18.67 to 11:19.33 in the 2-mile Bellarmine Invitational last weekend.

“Andrea won by outkicking her (Cochran) the last 80 yards after leading the entire race,” said Shadle coach Bob Isitt.

Nelson finished second in state last year and Cochran third. Cochran was the state track 1,600 and 3,200 meter 4A champion last year.

Gonzaga Prep sophomore Alicia Doohan finished seventh.

Thacker topic at Freeman

Public commentary will be taken Wednesday during a school board meeting at Freeman regarding the dismissal of Mike Thacker as boys basketball coach.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the gymnasium of Freeman Middle School.

Thacker’s contract was not renewed following a vote at last month’s regular meeting, but following a special session, the issue was reopened and will be presented at this month’s meeting.

League openers

GSL volleyball, soccer and cross country teams play for real.

An early volleyball match of interest tonight sends Shadle Park, eighth in state last year, to four-time defending champion Mead.

There are four cross country meets and five GSL soccer matches Wednesday, headed by University-Ferris soccer at 4 p.m. at Joe Albi Stadium.