Published: September 05, 2008 12:16 am      

Antlers hope to contain Piedmont speedster

It is a rivalry, but nerves should not be a factor for Deer Creek as they travel Piedmont tonight.

“No, I think the guys are excited to go play. It’s been six months since I took the position. This is the time where all the work they put in during the offseason, during the summer, during speed camp, this is where that pays off. Now we can finally keep score,” first-year head coach Grant Gower said. “We’re excited yes, but I don’t think nerves will be an issue.”

Gower believes the defensive key will be containing senior running back Evan Heath.

“He’s a good running back. A game breaker, he definitely has that ability. We have to contain him,” Gower said.

Heath rushed for 381 yards last season in limited action.

Another area of concern will be Deer Creek’s ability to block Piedmont’s big defensive line.

“I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but our key offensively, will be upfront. They have a couple of 300-pounders,” the head coach said. “Everything starts with Dax Dilbeck, there’s no secret there. We will attack offensively, spread the ball around. And we will try to attack them defensively out of the stack.”

For the first time in a while Deer Creek is healthy. Linebackers Casey Edgemon and Cade Draper are back, and should be at 100 percent. Adam Byrd, who didn’t see any action during the two scrimmages will also be back. Byrd is a playmaker for the Antlers in the secondary, and as a receiver on the offensive side of the ball.

Sophomore running back Colton Sander is near 100 percent, as he has been hampered by a hamstring injury the last two weeks. Though the injury didn’t seem to bother him too much in the final scrimmage versus Tecumseh.

“I’m not sure that he’s 100 percent, yet. I’m telling you, the guy has five gears. Get him in some open space and he can really get the ball down field in a hurry,” Gower said.

Sander and Tyler Price will share time in the backfield.

Zach Trujillo, who recently committed to Kansas State, will also likely get some carries, and will be Dilbeck’s favorite target.

Deer Creek won last season’s contest 40-0.

Game time is set for 7:30.