Eier’s ‘blue collar’ Colonels looking to establish running game

The Whitley County Colonels open the Coach Zeke Eier Friday night with a trip east to face Perry County Central.

New Coach Zeke Eier said it will be a battle to see which team can impose its desire to consistently run the ball while taking away the opponent’s running game.

Eier said Whitley County has been focused on those two things noting that it starts up front on both sides of the ball.

“We might be smaller on the line, but they are physical dudes who play fast,” Eier said.

In two scrimmages against Clay County and Lexington Lafayette, Eier said the Colonels have shown the propensity to establish the run, whether it is lining up and running right at an opponent, or hitting big runs of 20 or more yards.

“I’ve been really pleased,” Eier said noting the Colonels have multiple options with which to run using a four-back system including Tye Hamlin, Mason Croley, Brian Leach and Caden Rose.

Eier is looking to returning quarterback Caden Petrey to spread the ball around, though he emphasized that Petrey can and will throw it.

“We are trying to establish the run and then throw it when we want,” Eier said.

Defensively, Eier said the Colonels will be making it difficult for opponents as the entire squad has a nose for the football.

“They are a bunch of blue collar kids who fly to the football,” Eier said of the defense. “It is amazing how much desire they have to get to the ball. Watching film, you will see eight or more black hats near the ball on almost every play.”

As to what he wants to see in Friday night’s game, Eier said it is simple.

“Just to keep building on what we are doing,” Eier said.

Whitley County will play in front of the faithful for the first time under Coach Eier on Aug. 27 when the Colonels host Corbin in the First Priority Bowl.

Knowing the hype associated with that game, Eier said neither he nor his team has given it much thought, noting all of the focus is currently Perry County Central.

“We just have to keep getting better from week to week,” Eier said.