Explosive combination

Published 10:34 p.m., October 29, 2009

By Josh Julius

Daily Journal

A solid rushing attack, along with a productive running back is every football coach’s dream.

So, in a sense, some would consider Hillcrest coach Charlie Brue extremely spoiled. Not only does Brue’s Comets average 277 yards on the ground per game, but he has not one, but two backs that can line up in the backfield and pound the rock.

The junior running tandem of Zach Taylor and Andrew Twedt have combined for 1,211 of the team’s robust 2,492 rushing yards through nine games this season.

Taylor and Twedt, or TNT as we’ll call them, both provide a nice change of pace and fresh legs in the Comets’ backfield. Their skill sets complement each other as runners in several ways, and usually leave defenses guessing in the process.

Thunder: Twedt, the power back, has ran for 317 yards and three touchdowns. His sure hands out of the backfield in the passing game has led to 442 all-purpose yards. Twedt serves has the primary lead-blocker when Taylor is lined up in the backfield. A force defensively, Twedt ranks third on the Comets with 48 tackles.

“Andrew does such a great job clearing the way,” Taylor said. “I just have to follow him through the hole and there is usually some running room.”

Lighting: Taylor’s 894 yards rushing and 1,006 all-purpose yards ranks second on the Comets behind dynamic quarterback Jared Schultz’s 925 rush and 1,616 all-purpose yards.

Taylor is tied for a Comets’ team-best 14 total touchdowns (13 rushing) with Schultz. Defensively, Taylor leads the team with three interceptions.

“Zach is an extremely shifty back, he knows how to read the blocks and find an opening,” Twedt said.

Brue had nothing but praise for his talented running back duo.

“Zach and Andrew bring two completely different styles of running. Zach is a guy who is going to try and make you miss with a quick move,” Brue said, “While Andrew is used more in our power formations, he hits the holes hard and fast and looks to run people over.”

Let’s not forget about Schultz, who’s 691 passing yards and seven touchdown tosses open up plenty of running lanes for TNT.

“Jared is patient when he back in the pocket, and when things start to break down he knows what to do,” Taylor said.

Added Twedt: “He (Schultz) is probably the smartest runner on our team.”

“Its harder for the defense to key on any one guy when we have so many players that we can give the ball to,” Brue said.

In Tuesday’s 49-8 Section 4 (9-Man) opening round playoff win over Onamia, TNT combined for 151 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Twedt had a spectacular 46-yard catch-and-run touchdown negated on a holding penalty, bringing the ball back to the Onamia 17 yardline.

Saturday’s Section semifinals matchup at Pheasant Conference North rival Bertha-Hewitt poses a much more difficult task.

The Bears (8-1), coming off a 22-8 first round victory over Eagle Valley, have outscored their opponents 306-82 this season, with their only slip-up coming in a 32-8 week four loss to No. 4 ranked (9-Man) Verndale.

If the Comets (7-2) want to avenge a Week 2 22-18 loss to the Bears, they will have to find a way to neutralize quarterback Jake Braaten and the Bears’ mainly rushing attack. Braaten serves has both quarterback and middle linebacker.

“Bertha has put together a strong season, they have been consistent and play very unified football,” Brue said. “As a team they strive together.”

TNT both know that the keys to victory go far beyond just their impact.

“The line has to get a handle up things up front and get the initial push to establish dominance,” Taylor said.

Added Twedt: “Defensively we got to step up and prevent the cut backs and big play.”

Bertha-Hewitt has out-scored its opponents 300-80 this season.

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