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11/24/05

Coldwater looking to contain Monroe QBs

Cavs' secondary has only allowed three passing TDs this year

By Greg Billing
Dayton Daily News
DAYTON | Coldwater's prolific passing attack needed just six quarters to throw four touchdowns this season. How long did it take opponents? So far it's 62 quarters and counting.

The Cavaliers' secondary has allowed just three passing TDs through 13 games. On Saturday, Coldwater (13-0) attempts to take the air out of Monroe's offense in the Division IV state semifinals at Welcome Stadium.

The Hornets' (12-1) two-quarterback rotation of Tyler Osterman and Tad Kilburn combined for TD passes of 80 and 73 yards and three receivers finished with 96 yards or more in last week's win over Valley View.

"Don't get beat deep," Coldwater senior Justin Kahlig said. "That's been one of our goals all year, to not let the long ball get us."

Only Delphos St. John's has managed to do so against the secondary that includes Kahlig (two interceptions), senior Brady Geier (10), senior Trevor Stromblad (two) and sophomore Ryan Geier (five). The Blue Jays' TD went for 67 yards. The others covered 14 and 11 yards.

"That's more than you can ever expect," Coldwater coach John Reed said of a defense that has allowed a miserly 10 TDs all season, none in the postseason. "We've gotten better and better and better. The development of our defensive line has been the key."

With a strong defensive line and hard-hitting linebackers pressuring quarterbacks, the secondary benefits from some rushed passes and bad judgements. But the group — just like the teammates in front of them — are speedy and athletic. That'll come in handy trying to contain Osterman and Kilburn, both nearly 1,000-yard throwers. Though the offense isn't routine — each QB plays two series then switches — the Cavs' approach remains the same.

"It won't change a thing," Ryan Geier said. "Both quarterbacks like to throw it short and try to get you long once in a while. They have the same kind of ability out there."

Few teams, though, have been able to take advantage of Coldwater's defense. The Cavs have allowed 119 yards rushing and a scant 65 yards passing per game. More of that could land the Cavs in the state title game for the first time since 2000. Coldwater lost to Versailles 14-0 in last year's state semis. Unlike that game, this game doesn't bring the added hype and pressure of facing a fellow Midwest Athletic Conference member.

"We're not holding anything back," Stromblad said of the seniors' last shot at a title. "We have that mentality."

"We're playing a little looser," added Brady Geier, who had a pair of interceptions to go along with 181 yards and 2 TDs receiving in last week's win over Huron.

In addition to their defensive duties, Stromblad is a standout kicker who has made 64 of 65 extra points and boots 50-yard field goals in practice. His longest in a game is 38. Both Geiers and Kahlig are key targets for Coldwater QB Steve Borger. Brady Geier is also the team's top return man and the Cavs' punter.

A win Saturday puts Coldwater in the state title game at 11 a.m. Dec. 3 at Canton's Fawcett Stadium against either defending champion Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (11-2) or Bellaire (13-0).

Contact Greg Billing at 225-2400, Ext. 6991.