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Broncos, Indians get quick peek at 2022 football

By Ray DiMonda Correspondent
Posted 5/25/22

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS - Monday Night Football visited Keystone Heights as the Middleburg Broncos came across the county to take on the Indians in the annual Spring Classic. Keystone Head Coach Chuck …

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Broncos, Indians get quick peek at 2022 football


Posted

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS - Monday Night Football visited Keystone Heights as the Middleburg Broncos came across the county to take on the Indians in the annual Spring Classic. Keystone Head Coach Chuck Dickinson and Middleburg Head Coach Ryan Wolf were anxious to get on the field and see what they had in store for Fall as the teams prepare for the 2022-2023 season.

“We’re just assessing what we have and where we are at for next season,” said Dickinson as he prepared his team. “We want to make sure during the spring, we didn’t overlook a kid that came out and he shows us he can play, we can get him on film and maybe that kid we didn’t expect that could help us much, but came out and played really hard tonight and gives us an idea of that.”

Tonight it was all Broncos as Middleburg looked very well conditioned and prepared with players showing they have worked at their positions. The Broncos already had full hand and sign signals in use for the offensive play calling. Middleburg’s Achilles Heel was holding penalties. Of the five holding calls, two touchdowns were called back due to the infractions.

“First thing I am looking for is execution, people flying around and being physical, that’s what we’re looking for,” said Middleburg’s Wolf. “When we play anything, we want to win. Anytime we line up we want to win. We want to see any of our returners, if they are progressing and see how physical we can play up front.”

Keystone Heights played their traditional disciplined run game, staying rather conservative. Keystone will need some players up front to bulk up over the summer and gain some mass. While they weren’t pushed around, the offensive line could not open holes for the run game as last year’s line and it showed with Keystone down 21-0 at the half.

Middleburg had a very good speed offense led by Clay transfer Jayden Jenkins. Jenkins ran the ball over a dozen times, only getting stopped in the backfield once, compliments of the Indian’s Linebacker Cartez Daniels. Complimenting Daniels at Linebacker was the Indian’s Bryar Schenck, coming up with several great stops and preventing two runaway escapes. Bronco’s running backs Mike Mitchell and Jaden Boyd showed real speed with power sweeps and great foot work when they worked holes in the middle. Jenkins also had a few good passes right on the money, one in particular to Joseph Forte for a huge gain.

The Indians were in full steam roller mode, trying to perfect the inside run game that was so successful last season. Gone are the stout, never quit running backs known as the Four Horseman. Sophomore Trey Jefferies was ready to take his place at the table, eating all Coach Dickinson would serve up. While the home crowd never witnessed a breakaway for a huge gain, Keystone was able to win several first downs and showed the option offense can still be very effective if the line can close the gaps and keep the inside rush from stopping the play. Out of the backfield, Sam Ulsch was the other curtain caller who effectively moved the ball when he could find a gap. Younger Brother Ben Ulsch took the nod to call the signals and get the ball into the running back’s hands. The Sophomore Quarterback had no fumbles and was never shaken even when the Broncos came calling in the backfield. Both Middleburg’s Jayden Levy and Trenton Robinson met Ulsch face-to-face in the backfield more than once, which allowed Keystone to practice their punts a little more than they’d like.