They have experience, a high powered offense and a stingy defense that is also known as the "Black Swarm."
Copley (0-1, 3-1) will enter the Hornet's nest Friday after losing its first Suburban League game of the season to Tallmadge last week.
It will be a one-two punch as the Indians continue league play with Highland (1-0, 3-1) improved over last year's team that went 6-4 and lost in the first round of the Division II playoffs to Aurora. Last week, Highland beat arch rival Wadsworth by a score of 31 to 12.
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The Indians will go up against an experienced offensive line consisting of four seniors and one junior. It is that experience up front that has allowed the Hornets to average 43.5 points per game so far this season. Highland is also solid on the defensive side of the ball with two of three returning linebackers and a line that goes six or seven deep on the depth chart.
Copley will try to get their offense back on track after last week's shutout at the hands of the Blue Devils. Junior quarterback John Kromalic was intercepted three times and senior star running back Aregerous Turner was held to only 79 yards. As a team, the Indians offense was held to 178 yards.
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The Indians have won five of the last seven games and have a two-game winning streak against the Hornets.
TOMAHAWK CHOPS
Slipping Down the Polls - The Tallmadge loss took the Indians out, or dropped them, in three major polls. Copley dropped from two to eight in the Division II, Region 5 computer ratings and dropped out of the Associated Press Coaches poll altogether. The Indians also dropped off The Plain Dealer's Top 25 High School Football Poll.
Punishing the Pigskin - Senior punter/kicker Josh Brebent is having one heck of a year. In last week's Tallmadge game, Josh had punts of 54, 53 and 50 yards. While kicking off, he cheats the opposition return men by consistently launching the ball into the end zone.
Take a Seat for the Team - The Copley Adult All Sports Booster Club is selling attractive bleacher chairs to raise money to buy a new golf cart for the Athletic Department. The chairs will be sold at the Nordonia Homecoming game on September 28.
Follow the Indians all season long on CopleyIndiansFootball.org, or on Facebook.