It's often said in the high school football world you see your greatest improvement from week one to two. Teams are still figuring out the kinks of a new season, shaking off the rust of the offseason and getting into football shape.
Joel McNeece
You do what you can in practice, but nothing can replace the speed and intensity of a Friday night under the lights when the final score counts toward the wins and lost column.
Applying that premise to the Bruce Trojans' opening week loss to New Albany, the unquestionable need for greatest improvement must come from the running back position.
The Trojans only offense to speak of against the Bulldogs last Friday night came from quarterback Wesley Ross. He was 12-17 passing for 112 yards with the bulk of his throws going to wide receivers Fisher Ray and Ike Willis, who clearly are the Trojans' best play makers on the outside at this point of the season.
Ross, a 5'11", 200-pound senior, also ran the ball 18 times for 108 yards.
Four Trojan running backs had carries in the game totaling 32 yards. Junior Lemarcus Echoles carried four times for 19 yards and appeared to be the most likely of the current set of RBs capable of separating himself from the pack.
Senior Tyrone Corbitt had five yards on two carries. Junior Rynez Holland had eight yards on two carries and junior Jordon Glaspie carried once for no yards. Don't rule out junior Dekeltric King and freshman Stone Lindley figuring in the mix before the season's over.
Whomever steps forward, it needs to happen sooner than later if the Trojans are going to be playing into November. Ross can't carry that heavy a load all season and now that film is out there, expect teams to focus their defensive game plan on shutting down his running lanes and forcing someone else to beat them.