Apollo hoping to stop Central Hardin, get back in win column

September 2, 2021 | 12:04 am

Updated September 1, 2021 | 11:04 pm

Apollo will have a tall order in halting a Central Hardin offense that has been very successful in its two previous matchups. 

The Bruins defeated DeSales in its season opener 21-6 before breezing past Butler 34-0 last week. The bulk of their offense comes on the ground.

Treyvon Williams and Mason Thompson have run for 180 and 171 yards, respectively, in two games, as well as combining for six rushing touchdowns.

While those two lead the pack, the Bruins have an arsenal of backs in the system, as they own a combined average of 313 rushing yards per game.

“They are very big and can grind the ball,” Apollo head coach John Edge said. “We have to get them in 3rd-and-long to put them in bad situations.”

The Central Hardin defense has also proven sturdy, only allowing the one touchdown on the year.

Apollo will be looking to avenge last week’s 44-7 loss to Owensboro. Offensively they struggled to get anything going, and turnovers also hurt the Eagles.

Edge said in order for them to come back and get in the win column they will have to limit those mistakes offensively and keep the defense from having a large workload.

“​​We can not turn the ball over on our own 20-yard line and we must sustain drives to keep our defense off the field,” Edge said. “Defensively we have to do a better job with our run blitz and get to the ball.”

Offensively they’ll rely on junior quarterback Christian Combs and sophomore wide receiver/running back Noah Rhinerson, who have proved to be a deadly duo throughout the first two games.

Their major success came against Owensboro Catholic, in which Combs had 295 passing yards and four touchdowns on 19-26 passing, while Rhinerson had 128 yards receiving on six receptions and four total touchdowns.

Apollo take the field at 8 p.m. EST at Central Hardin on Friday.

September 2, 2021 | 12:04 am

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