Norwalk preps for unbeaten Copley

NORWALK — Focus on us. During what has been an unprecedented year with schedule quirks at every turn, that was the message third-year Norwalk head football coach Todd Fox delivered to his team last week. The Truckers (3-3) were off last week, the byproduct of being the No. 7 seed in a region that has 22 teams attempting to form a traditional 16-team bracket. Norwalk will host No. 10-seeded Copley (6-0) at 7 p.m. Friday in a Division III Region 10 playoff game at Contractors Stadium at the Warren C. Whitney Complex. "We did a lot of fundamental work and called it a "focus on us" week," Fox said of how the Truckers prepared during a week that didn't have a Friday or Saturday night game against another opponent. "We did a lot of individual work by positions and in small groups, similar to what we would do during install sessions in the summer," Fox said. "As much as I didn't want a bye because it's so different this year, we felt it was beneficial for us. "We were able to focus on the fundamental things that maybe we haven't been able to do, and we felt we got better from it." Fox and the Truckers will have needed to get better for Friday's game with the Indians. Norwalk may be favorites in seed only, as the unbeaten Indians feature an NCAA Div. I SEC recruit, a three-year starter at quarterback for an offense averaging 33.3 points, and a blitzing defense that allows just 13.6 points per game. "They are a great team, and the way the pairings came out, our first round game sets up very much for a playoff-style game," Fox said. "There is no unbalanced matchup of any kind here, and even though we're the higher seed we're probably the underdogs … we just have to be ready to go on Friday night." Copley is in the midst of a big turnaround under second-year coach Jake Parsons. The Indians were 2-8 in 2019, but have won four of their six games this season by 21-plus points. "Whenever you come into a new program, it's not always as much about winning and losing as it is about setting your standards of what you expect the kids to do," Parsons told Akron.com. "I think we did that last year and we're seeing the results this year. I think we knew we were on the right track. I don't necessarily think anyone expected the results that we've had, but I knew we were capable of this." On offense, the Indians are led by quarterback Joe Reho (6-foot-4, 205). He is a three-year starter who connected with Preston Taylor for an 87-yard touchdown pass last week — the only TD for the Indians in their 10-7 win at Aurora (5-2) — a team that lost in double-overtime of a state semifinal last season. Taylor (6-0, 165), a running back, has 13 touchdowns in six games this season. "They are very slimier style to us in terms of offensive sets," Fox said of the Indians. "They use their speed and weapons in the spread, and Reho is more of a dual-threat that is probably more run-first. He's talented runner." On defense, the Indians boast 6-4, 240-pound linebacker/defensive end AJ Campbell — who chose Vanderbilt over 18 other college offers. Also the starting tight end, Campbell is rated the No. 63 prospect in Ohio according to 247 sports composite rankings. Copley also has middle linebacker Landon Robinson (6-1, 230), a Lehigh University commit who also starts on the offensive line. Robinson had an interception last week that set up a 37-yard field goal by teammate Jarred Kerekes, which proved to be the difference in the three-point win. The Indians run a 30-stack defense with multiple fronts, throwing various stunts and coverage while stacking players to cause opposing offensive lines confusion. "They bring the pressure all night, which will make it challenging for us," Fox said. "We had an extra week of prep for them, but this will also be a key week to make sure we are prepared for the various looks and blitzes they are going to present." Offensively, Norwalk averages 20.8 points and is led by quarterback Garrett Chapin and receiver Ethan Phillips. Chapin has completed 94-of-158 attempts for 1,123 yards with 6 TDs and four interceptions. Phillips has caught 38 of those passes for 478 yards and 2 TDs. Kade Staley adds 22 catches for 246 yards, while Daniel Traczek has 322 yards rushing on 55 attempts with a pair of TDs in four games. The Truckers are allowing 24.7 points on defense, as Traczek (51) and Phillips (47) lead the team in tackles. Linemen Jakob Stebel and Mason Hughes each have 33 tackles and three sacks, while Andrew Mozina adds 40 tackles and an interception. Kicker Garrison Smith has made 84 straight extra point attempts and has nine field goals this season while also holding a 45.1-yard punting average. Copley previously has made 12 state playoff appearances, most recently in 2015 and 2016. The Indians are 10-12 all-time in the postseason, with one state semifinal appearance in 2000, falling to eventual state champion Canton Central Catholic. The winner of Friday's game advances to face the winner of Mansfield Senior (3-4) and Ashland (5-1). Though it will partly be because of the calendar being three weeks early, Fox noted the Norwalk program is thrilled with the opportunity to play Friday's game at the redone Contractors Stadium, complete with field turf. In first-round home games in November in each of the past two seasons, the field conditions were nothing short of poor on the old grass surface. "Absolutely it is great to not travel, but also to play on our new field," he said. "Last year it was a sheet of ice and mud for our playoff game with Glenville, and it was even worse the year before that (vs. Bowling Green). "I know those were later in the season, but it's nice to earn this position and host this game," Fox added. "We're excited to get on the field and hopefully pay back our community with a good football game." ------------------------------------------------------ Norwalk playoff history Norwalk will play its 12th state playoff game in program history Friday night at home vs. Copley. The Truckers are 8-3 all-time in their five previous playoff appearances: 1974 Norwalk 20, Akron SVSM 7 (state semifinals) Norwalk 27, Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas17 (state championship) 2013 Tiffin Columbian 34, Norwalk 28, 2 OT (first round) 2014 Norwalk 42, Perkins 34 (first round) Clyde 35, Norwalk 24 (second round) 2018 Norwalk 42, Bowling Green 14 (first round) Norwalk 56, Rocky River 7 (second round) Norwalk 20, Sandusky 17 (regional championship) Kettering Alter 34, Norwalk 13 (state semifinals) 2019 Norwalk 22, Cleveland Glenville 2 (first round) Sandusky 31, Norwalk 15 (second round)