Indians still trying to get on track

Nathan Hutchinson

RICHMOND — A quick glance at the statistics from last week’s loss to Ballard in Louisville certainly provided the Madison Central coaching staff with some reasons to be optimistic.

However, those same numbers also left them scratching their heads in disbelief.

The Indians’ sluggish offense had almost as many first downs against the Bruins (17) as it did during the first two games of the season combined (18). Central (0-3) was six-of-14 on third down, by far the team’s best performance in that category on the year.

The Indians also ran a season-high 66 offensive plays and tied a season-low with just three penalties.

Still, they finished with only 216 total yards (a season low) and suffered a 37-7 setback.

“It doesn’t make sense, does it?” Central coach Kenny Turner said. “Stats are deceiving, but they do tell a story.”

The Indians did have three turnovers, allowed four sacks and missed two field goals — all of which led to a third-straight lopsided loss.

Central will try to snap a four-game losing streak today at home against Lexington Catholic (2-2). Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.

Live in-game updates will be available on www.twitter.com/richmondrsports.

“The positive we can take out of it is that they are still here working,” Turner said of the Central players. “That’s basically all we can ask. We still light.”

In the loss to Ballard, the Indians once again struggled to move the ball early in the game. On the first three drives, they had negative 15 yards.

They finished the first half with just 120 total yards, 55 of which came on one drive.

Through the first three games of the season, Central has scored just six points in the first half.

“I really believe that if we can come out, put together a drive and score, that will really help us,” Turner said. “I’m going to keep taking the ball if we win the toss, just so we can get some points on the board.”

Putting points on the board has been the biggest problem for the Indians.

Central has just four offensive touchdowns this season, only one of which has come on the ground. The Indians also have just 694 yards of total offense.

Senior quarterback John Moncrief has completed 26-of-59 passes this season and has three touchdowns and seven interceptions.

“We are just shooting ourselves in the foot,” Turner said.

Offense has not been a big problem for Lexington Catholic so far this season.

The Knights scored 49 points last week in a loss to Lone Oak and put up 43 points in a win over Whitley County in the season opener.

Catholic’s offense is led by senior quarterback Nic Ward and senior running back Greg Raglin. Ward has thrown for 812 yards and nine touchdowns and Raglin has rushed for 531 yards and six touchdowns.

“They can put up a lot of points,” Turner said. “That running back is really quick and the quarterback is really good. They have some firepower. The defense is young at spots. They have a tendency to give up some things, but the question is can we put points on the board.”

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