York Needs Maximum Offense In Week 7

York Institute is on a three-game win streak and head coach Derwin Wright said the team needs to evolve quickly ahead of Friday’s matchup with Oneida.

The Dragons offense has steadily improved with each game, coming off a 50-point output last week, the highest point total of the season. Wright said this Friday, the offense is going to have to play its most complete game of the season.

“They’re strong up front, their linebackers play really well, their defensive ends play really well and on the inside they’ve got some size,” Wright said. “I don’t think it’s a team that we’re going to just be able to be one dimensional on. We’re going to have to open the offense up and we’re going to have to complete some passes.”

Another role for starting quarterback Nathaniel Tipton on this offense is as a blocker. Wright said Tipton has bought into the philosophy and does not shy away from the role.

“Nathaniel is a good blocker and his backup who’s a freshman, Ryder Smith, he’s a very aggressive kid, good blocker,” Wright said. “I’ve not had an issue with it, but I have had quarterbacks in the past that would have struggled with some of what we do.”

In a week five win over Tellico Plains, Wright noted that Tipton had his best performance of the year with his arm. But with last week’s game being played in a downpour, the Dragons elected to keep it on the ground. Wright said the offensive line got in a rhythm and hopefully that can carry onto week seven.

“I think the offensive line is using better technique,” Wright said. “They’re getting lower, but we still have some areas still to keep working on. We’re seeing it in our games, you know.”

York welcomes the 3-2 Oneida Indians to the Dragon Pit this Friday night. Kickoff at 7pm.