East Olympians Blog

Lost amid all the hubbub over East’s record-setting offense is the incredible play of the defense.

Consider that Friday’s win was the third shutout of the season by the O’s. That’s pretty impressive, especially when you consider how many fourth quarters this season have been JV vs. JV.

The last time East had three shutouts in one season was 2006, but one of those came in the regional. The last time East had this many shutouts in the regular season was 1983, when the Olympians blanked four opponents in a 9-2 season.

And in that 1979 state championship season? Six shutouts and a total of 74 points allowed total in a 13-0 season.

Just saying, is all.

Since there’s not much more to say about yet another resounding HHC win by the Olympians – they’re 35-3 now in the conference since 2003 – let’s talk about highways.

Now, I realize that our, ahem, FINE interstate road system needs to be worked on from time to time. Things fall apart, it’s true.

But 9:30 p.m. on a Friday night? Really? You couldn’t do this at, say, 1 a.m. on a Wednesday?

OK, with that out of my system, and since this is an East football blog, a little bit about Friday’s game.

Coach Gaddis made it a point to talk about the offensive line and their unsung work. Well, let me sing a little bit here (and a bit more in Monday Morning QB).

East’s O-line was dominant Friday night. You don’t rush for 301 yards — unofficial totals, mind you; keep in mind I was tallying numbers in the vehicle while my wife patiently waited for traffic to JUST GET MOVING ALREADY! — without the line making a gigantic push up front.

And the fact Dusty Kiel had time to throw for 292 yards showcases the talent up front.

Bottom line: Without the O-line, Kiel, Duwyce, Olds and McLaurine — while still putting up big numbers — wouldn’t nearly be as effective.

And a quick word on the defense before I call it a night.

With all due respect to Columbus North, New Albany really did pose the biggest offensive threat East has faced this season. A quarterback who’s not afraid to throw or run, fast athletes in the backfield and split wide, and a decent offensive line.

The Bulldogs were not in the least bit intimidated by all of East’s gaudy statistics.

And they still got clobbered.

It’s only midway through the season, with always dangerous Jeffersonville and a Bedford North Lawrence team waiting to play spoiler down the road.

But you might as well pencil in a fifth straight conference title for 4A’s No. 1 team.

Not to belabor the point, but East continues to prove they’re not only the premier team in the HHC, but they’re certainly deserving of their status as the No. 1 team in Class 4A.

Considering the depth this team has — Will Saddler misses the game with an injury and his replacements on kickoffs and the secondary make his absence a moot point — I don’t foresee anyone giving them trouble during the regular season.

Of course, it should be noted that Joumeel McLaurine went limping off in the second half. But with all due respect to McLaurine, who would be THE MAN on any other team, there are plenty of options at tailback should No. 22 have to spend some time on the pine.

An aside here: compliments to the Owls, and not just because of my ties to Seymour. Coach Richey was honest in his assessment that Seymour doesn’t have the athletes that East does. He’s not putting down his team, it’s just a fact. But what the Owls do have are a hard-working team that kept playing hard against the No. 1 team in the state.