Dragons, Warriors preparing for big battle

Oct. 19—When the Edgewood defense tackled Lakeside's Angelo Collazo one foot shy of the goal line a year ago to preserve a win, it meant a lot more than just city bragging rights.

Both teams ended up making the playoffs, each falling in the first round.

The two teams will meet once again on Friday night and once again there will be more at stake than just the Battle of the Bridge Trophy.

¨That win kind of catapulted us into a great offseason," Edgewood coach Olajuwon Cooper said of the win over his alma mater a year ago. ¨We understood how serious the rivalry is.

"I know it was troublesome over there on the other side. My nephew [Tierre Anderson] is a starting linebacker for Lakeside so I got an understanding of their vantage point and how they felt about it, so we know it's a big deal and our players hold it in high regard.¨

While the win catapulted the Warriors, Lakeside coach Buzz Edwards said the loss stung for quite some time.

"Ï told the team [Tuesday] after practice that I think about that one particular play more than any other play in my coaching career of 20 years." he said. ¨How different our offseason would have been and how different our outlook would have been had we gotten that one foot to get in."

This season has been one in which both teams are feeling like they let a few wins get away over the past nine weeks.

Edgewood checks in at 5-4, losing by three points to Conneaut (27-24) and Madison (20-17 in overtime).

The Dragons are 4-5. They have dealt with the loss Jimmy Timonere, the team's top receiving threat, the second week of the season and the absence Hassani Sy, one of best linemen, for much of the season.

But a victory on Friday night could fix a lot of things for both teams.

"It would be big for us," Edwards said" For playoff implications this could be the difference of being a 12 or 13 seed and having to play a good team, compared to having to possibly play a nationally-ranked team."

The Dragons are currently holding the 16th — and final playoff spot — in Division II, Region 5, while Edgewood sits at 12th in D-IV, Region 13.

"For us, it's about finishing the right way and finishing on a high note," Cooper said. "Änd hopefully getting to Week 11 with a better matchup for us ... not saying that it's not a blessing to make the playoffs as a whole, because it definitely is. But, strategically you want to put yourself in the best situation possible."

As far as the game goes, both teams know each other well.

Edgewood has the more balanced offensive attack, but Lakeside has the offensive line and run game that can when it's on can be dominant, as it was last week in a 30-6 win over Conneaut.

Warriors quarterback Tony Hall threw for 260 yards and four touchdowns against Lakeside a year ago.

"The biggest thing from last year's game is we have to do a better job of tackling when they catch the ball, we didn't do a very good job of tackling last year," Edwards said. "Tony is a really good quarterback and they have some really good skill receivers. They're pretty explosive on offense and it will be a test for our defense. We have not played great on that side of the ball

"But we've gotten better every week and I think our guys are up for the challenge."

On the other side, Cooper said the biggest thing for his defense will be not to let the Dragons control the line of scrimmage.

Last Friday, Devan Miller Jr. and Nate Bartone both topped the 100-yard mark for rushing.

"There are two caveats with a power running game," Cooper started to explain. "You're not getting off the field on defense and the clock is moving, that's a recipe for disaster.

"So, we know that Lakeside goes as the running game goes, that's no disservice to [quarterback] Alex DiSalvatore, he's done a great job, but anyone that plays against Lakeside knows everything goes through their offensive line and then those two backs."

Offseason momentum and playoff implications are on the line, but at the same time, more than anything, the game is a crosstown rivalry and bragging rights still mean just as much as anything.

"It's one of those games where I never have to worry about getting my players ready for that game, because they're going to be ready for sure," Cooper said.

Edwards added, "Our guys will be ready to go. We've been working pretty hard this week."