By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
The Salina Post Game of the Week heads to the world of 8-man football for an all-area clash between the Ell-Saline Cardinals (3-1), and the Solomon Gorillas (0-4).
For Ell-Saline, this game is an opportunity to continue their recent run of dominance that has seen the Cardinals collect huge wins over Osborne and Canton-Galva after a brief week-one stumble at the hands of now 4-0 Hanover.
“I really like the progress we’ve made since game one,” Ell-Saline head coach Joe Roche said. “Our kids have been very detail oriented and they’re learning every step of the way. Sometimes you think you can get away with things in your first varsity game that you just can’t but we’ve grown a lot since then.”
While Solomon enters this week’s contest at 0-4, the progress made by one of the youngest teams in the state of Kansas, with a roster holding just two seniors, is apparent, and will be tested against another of 8-man Division I’s best.
“I’ve been impressed with our resilience so far,” Gorilla head coach Devin Rizzo said. “We’ve faced a tough schedule, and we’ve been hit with a lot of adversity, but our guys continue to show up every single day with great effort, great energy and a great love of the game of football. We’re very young but we’re focusing on the experience that we’re gaining.”
Many stars will take to the field tonight, but perhaps none brighter than Ell-Saline quarterback Reese Krone, who has puzzled opposing defenses with his 6-5, 220 point frame, strong arm, and downhill rushing ability.
“Reese fits right in with everybody and the kids know him as an outstanding guy,” Roche said. “He’s a great leader, the kids know he’s a gamer and he’s the kind of guy you want on your side.”
The quarterback matchup will be one to watch as sophomore standout Brecken Coup continues to rehab an injury that took him off the field for a majority of the first four games, but with the starter back in the saddle the Gorillas should ready to strike on offense.
While the Cardinals enter this game as heavy favorites, Solomon will look to use this contest to take another step toward the program they want to be, as this incredibly youthful roster continues to grow and mature.
“[Ell-Saline] fires off the football on both sides of the ball and they do things the right way,” Rizzo said. “The program Joe Roche has built down there is very impressive and I have a ton of respect for him and the way he does things. Our schedule is tough but we have an opportunity to go play a program that does things the right way, this is how we lay the groundwork of where we want to be.”
Kickoff in Brookville is scheduled for 7:00 and pregame coverage with livestream video and audio commentary will begin on Salina Post at 6:40.
You can tune into our broadcast of this game below 100% free.