OXFORD — The Talawanda High School football team got its first win of the season last week with a 35-12 victory over previously-unbeaten Carroll.
The Brave, who are coached by second-year mentor Andy Stuckert, look to continue the momentum against Shroder at home on Friday.
Here are four takeaways from Talawanda’s first half of the season:
1. Offense is coming around
Talawanda (1-4) is improving its offensive production as the season is progressing. The Brave average just 13.8 points a game, though.
Senior quarterback Cale Leitch threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in the win against Carroll.
Leitch and junior running back Lance Cantrell rushed for a combined 178 yards and two scores last Friday, while senior receiver Ryan Wright caught six passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns.
2. The program is growing
Stuckert said there were no wins to be found at any level a couple years ago.
Now, the eighth grade team is undefeated, and the junior varsity squad is 4-1.
“We just need to win at the varsity level,” Stuckert said. “We have 82 kids playing now, which is amazing.”
3. ‘We are starting to play well’
Talawanda’s offensive line is young but a good one. It’s allowed the offense to grow into its own to this point.
“We are starting to play well,” Stuckert said. “I wish we could have a couple of games back where our defense kept us in games, and we couldn’t score.”
4. Brave not lacking leaders
Leitch, Cantrell, Wright and Demetrius Morris-Williams have been the team’s leaders. Aside from Leitch, the other three are getting their share of time on the defensive side of the ball as well.
“They are bona fide studs,” Stuckert said.
Wright has a team-best 25 tackles, and all four are huge contributors on offense.
Midseason Report Card: C-
