BY JOHN SCHUTTE
Enquirer contributor -->
For 10 years, Edgewood coach Steve Channell and Hamilton Badin coach Terry Malone have been good friends. And for the past 13 years, the two teams have met in the regular season.
Because of expansion in the Mid Miami League this year, Edgewood was unable to schedule the Rams in the regular season.
But thanks to the playoffs, the two will meet for the 14th-straight year Saturday night at 7 at Fairfield High School. This time the stakes are higher with a regional title and a spot in the state semifinals up for grabs.
"Edgewood is always a tough battle for us," Hamilton Badin Coach Terry Malone said. "This time both of us will have the goal of advancing and it should be even more highly competitive."
Hamilton Badin has dominated Edgewood in the series. The Rams have won 10 of the 13 matchups and last dropped a game to Edgewood in 1990, the year Badin won the state title.
"I will be honored as a coach to be able to take my football team against the winningest football coach in Ohio history," Channell said, "There is no one else I would rather play against."
Both coaches point to their defenses as the key to winninge. Badin will rely on its size to counter a speedy Edgewood team.
"Our defense will have to be in position because they have such a quick backfield," Malone said. "They also have the quickest defense we have faced all year."
Badin will rely on a strong offensive line to open holes for a trio of talented running backs. But Malone points out the line must sustain their blocks to nullify Edgewood's speed.
Fullback Chris Sinclair (245 pounds), Chris Cox (205) and Chris Brady (195) are all bruising backs and may wear down Edgewood's defense.
On defense, Badin linebackers Josh Marcum and Brian Woods will be counted on to stuff Edgewood's running game.
Edgewood hopes to turn in another defensive gem. The Cougars are coming off a 3-0 victory over Teays Valley in the opening round of the playoffs.
"I can guarantee that it won't be another 3-0 game," Channell said. "There will definitely be more scoring, but defense will still be the key."
Edgewood will look to keep tabs on Badin's tight end Andrew Brown. And it also will need strong efforts from linebacker James Smith and sophomore Brandon Osbourne. Smith was instrumental in stopping Teays Valley's run attack last week and Osbourne had three interceptions and a fumble recovery.
