How do you contain an athlete that is quick and slippery and is
capable of breaking open a game in a hurry? Not very easily.
That is the question coaches throughout the Tri-County Athletic
League have tried and failed to figure out when they have faced
North Salinas’ Ronnie Drummer. And that is the question the Balers
will have to answer when the Vikings pay a visit during the
homecoming game tonight.
Drummer, who won the 100- and 200- meter titles at the Central
Coast Section track and field championships, is the fourth fastest
runner in the state.
How do you contain an athlete that is quick and slippery and is capable of breaking open a game in a hurry? Not very easily.
That is the question coaches throughout the Tri-County Athletic League have tried and failed to figure out when they have faced North Salinas’ Ronnie Drummer. And that is the question the Balers will have to answer when the Vikings pay a visit during the homecoming game tonight.
Drummer, who won the 100- and 200- meter titles at the Central Coast Section track and field championships, is the fourth fastest runner in the state.
The senior running back has already rushed for 1089 yards and 10 touchdowns on 111 carries.
“We got to play great football,” said Baler coach Chris Cameron. “We can’t get a speed look in practice. They have the fourth fastest athlete in the state on their team and have three or four other guys who are very skilled. You can’t duplicate that look in practice, but what you can do is rally with the 11 guys on defense.”
North Salinas lost 28-56 to Palma, but then defeated Live Oak 56-28 last week. Drummer was all over the place, picking up 254 yards on 18 carries. But Drummer isn’t the only one who can make things happen.
“Every year I always feel like North Salinas has the best athletes,” Cameron said. “This year is no different. They are just loaded with talent. They got more talent on the team in terms of raw athletes than we may have ever had in the last five years – pure athleticism.”
The Vikings are coming into the game with a 4-3 overall record and 1-1 league record, while the Balers bring their five-game winning streak and 5-1-1 overall record into the game. The Balers moved from No. 12 to No. 8 in CCS after taking care of Gilroy last week in a 37-7 game.
“We just have to make sure we play assignment football and key-read well,” Cameron said. “We have different looks for each formation that they have. It is a matter of going out and executing the game plan, getting in the right right fronts and coverages based on what they are doing.”
The Balers will try to avenge a 31-22 loss to the Vikings last year. But it won’t be easy.
“We have to be able to move the football,” Cameron said. “The best way to keep them from scoring is to keep the ball out of their hands. If it turns into a track meet where they are racing up and down the field, we probably won’t be able to keep up with them.”
