Balance is key to Temple's success

By Stephen Hargis
Assistant Sports Editor
tfponline.com

The belief that Tennessee Temple can challenge the best football teams in Class 1A is no longer just a passing fancy.

Thanks to a solid running game, the Crusaders' offense is now as balanced and as tough to stop as any team remaining in their classification.

"The whole reason we're having so much more success this year is the balance the running game has given us," Crusaders coach Kevin Skogen said. "In the past, we ran the ball so poorly that people could come after the quarterback and double-team our receivers.

"Now if we see six guys in the box, we love it because we know we can run the ball."

Temple's offense is a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators. It features the state's career receiving leader, Seth Skogen, and bullish 245-pound fullback Josh Smith. But it is the combination of speedy runners Kameron Ridley and Joey Skogen that has given legs to the Crusaders' state championship hopes.

Ridley, a senior transfer from Southeast Whitfield, and sophomore Skogen each have more than 1,200 rushing yards, averaging more than 114 yards per game apiece. Add to that Smith bruising his way to an average of 85 yards on the ground and Seth Skogen having 1,600 receiving yards this year and it becomes clear why no opponent has come close to slowing Temple's offense. The Crusaders (11-0) average 480 yards per game, 265 on the ground and are winning games an average of 42-14.

"It's very hard with us having three different running styles," Joey Skogen said. "Josh runs over you. Kameron can turn any play into a breakaway and I've got pretty quick feet and try to hit the hole really fast.

"Any defensive coordinator would have a hard time preparing for us."

This week the headache belongs to Trousdale County coach Clint Satterfield, who must choose between bringing extra help near the line to stop the running game, or double-team Seth Skogen. Because McCallie is hosting Christian Brothers at Finley Stadium, the game will be played at Lookout Valley High School.

Satterfield brings one of the state's most storied programs to town, as the Yellow Jackets (7-4) have won six state titles and have 59 more playoff wins in their history than Temple. That tradition, and the fact that Trousdale has won six of its last seven games since several key players returned from injury, are why Temple is perhaps the only one of 15 remaining unbeaten teams that is not considered a favorite in its second round game. The Yellow Jackets beat Temple in the first round of last year's playoffs.

"There's no question this is the best team we've seen all year," Ridley said. "They're very physical. But we know they're not the same team they were last year and neither are we. Every one of our linemen are seniors and they're making our jobs as backs a lot easier with the holes they're giving us."

Leading by only four in last week's opening round game, Temple turned to its tailback tandem of Ridley and Skogen, who sparked a 26-point third quarter, helping to a 51-14 win over Monterey. Skogen finished with 192 yards on nine carries and Ridley had 12 carries for 142 yards. Both scored two TDs.

"Those two guys have been a pleasant surprise," Coach Skogen said. "We knew what we had with the other offensive pieces, but with the speed those two guys bring to the backfield, it really completes our offense."

E-mail Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com