For the third consecutive game, Cincinnati and Marion will meet on the gridiron – and head coach Billy Back doesn’t quite mince words.
“I don’t like it,” said Back. “We play Marion two more times and Erie one more time, then play the winner of Marion/Erie in the playoffs.”
At issue mainly is the inability to mix up the game plan from week to week.
“With the rules set there is not much you can do different,” Back replied. “It’s three coverages and handful of plays; basically it’s the jimmy’s and joe’s, not x’s and o’s. It’s going to be can you stop our best play and can we stop your best play. When it comes to playing a team three or four times, you hope make right play call at right time.”
In the last meeting against the Blue Racers, Cincinnati made the plays when needed as the pull out the 61-53 comeback victory. The Commandos faced its largest deficit of the season, but used an excellent effort from Corry Stewart and Kyenes Mincy to clinch a playoff berth. A victory will put the Commandos on the doorsteps of the first round bye.
The one thing Cincinnati has going for it is two starters – James Frazier and Richard Bailey – and key reserve, D’arrell Brown, didn’t play against Marion.
If Cincinnati is to correct one aspect of the last Marion contest, it will be the turnovers. Tyler Sheehan threw six touchdowns in the win, but also threw four interceptions. Fortunately for Cincinnati, they were able to pick off Blue Racers quarterback Boo Jackson five times.
Marion starting quarterback Josh Harris, who missed the game with an injury, could be back in action. It would be the first time that Harris and his favorite target, Jackson, are on the field at the same time against Cincinnati.
Following the Marion game, the Commandos return home for back-to-back home games to complete the regular season at the historic Cincinnati Gardens.
