Friday, September 29, 2000
New Richmond enjoys unbeaten feeling
Lions off to best start since 1991
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
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New Richmond backfield: Matt Armbruster, John McMonigle, Tony Rowan, Matt Godsey.
(Steven M. Herppich photo)
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Talk hasn't surfacedat New Richmond about the Division III football playoffs, but a victory tonight over Clinton Massie could start the conversation.
Off to a 5-0 start, New Richmond's offense has dominated opponents, averaging 386 yards a game. The efense has given up a mediocre 211 yards, well below expectations.
“We can't start thinking about the playoffs because the five teams we've beaten have only won a combined three games,” coach Ron Bird (191-109-5),said. “Clinton Massie will be ourfirst big test.”
A senior dominated team off to the school's best start since 1991, New Richmond returned 15 letter winners from the '99 team that went 8-2. It was the first New Richmond team to qualify to the state playoffs.
The Lions beat London in the first round but were eliminated by Gallia Academy.
“It's hard to describe the feelings of making it to the playoffs,” senior running back Matt Godsey said. “The excitement has carried over into this season.”
A graduate of Covington, Ky. Holmes, Bird started at defensive end for Alabama's 1964 national championship team. He's in his 32nd year as head coach at New Richmond.
“We were looking forward to this year because of the number of players back,” Bird said. “This group of seniors have been outstanding. They were 9-0 as freshmen.”
New Richmond uses the wishbone offense with senior quarterback Matt Armbruster (583 yards rushing) one of the keys along with running backs John McMonigle (545 yards), Matt Godsey (388 yards) and fullback Tony Rowan (263).
“The offense has been effective and can move the ball well,” Bird said. “But we're prone to turnovers and penalties. We've fumbled the ball too many times and had some passes intercepted.”
In the trenches where , the Lions have a talented group including veterans Brad Scribner (5-9, 215), Aaron Ireton (6-2, 180), Billy Stiles (5-7, 235) and John Merrill (5-11, 195).
“Offensively, we've been clicking because we only have new two guys,” Godsey said. “I don't know what's wrong with the defense but everyone knows we must improve.”
Armbruster, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior, is the key to the offense. He not only leads the team in rushing, but also completes over 50 percent of his passes.
“We're one of a handful of teams in Ohio that uses the wishbone which has three running backs behind the quarterback,” Bird said. “It's actually an option offense with the running game setting up the pass.”
Bird explained why the Lions run out of the wishbone.
“At a small school, you learn to do things with the talent that is available,” Bird said. “A couple of years ago we had John Abner at quarterback and we threw the ball a lot.”
Clinton Massie has lost two games (Wyoming and Cedarville) and also is a wishbone offensive team.
“We beat them 14-7 at our place last year,” Godsey said. “They also have a lot of players back and one of their linebackers has already commited to Miami.”
Most of the Lions key offensive players also play on the defensive side including Godsey, Armbruster, Rowan, Merrill, Brian Morton, Bret Wiseman and Jeff Mahaffey.
“The defense usually starts off slow,” Godsey said. “We can't let this happen Friday. I think we'll be ready to play.”
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