DeKalb set for DVC battle with Waubonsie Valley

The DeKalb football team has seen many different styles of offenses this year, and when they take the field at home Friday against Waubonsie Valley, coach Keith Snyder said the Warriors' triple option will be like looking in a mirror.

The two offense are very similar, Snyder said, aside from some terminology. Also, he said the other big difference in the Barbs lining up in the pistol and the Warriors out of the shotgun.

"We have experience defending ourselves in August and during the summer," Snyder said. "But it's really had cause they have a running back with a offer to Air Force. And Bryce Logan can also play the slot in addition to coming at you from the backfield. ... With an offensive like that they're going to score their points so you need to minimize explosive plays and don't let them big play and chunk you to death."

The Barbs (3-2 overall, 1-1 DuPage Valley) return home for the first time since Week 3 to take on Waubonsie Valley (2-3, 0-2).

After shutouts in their first two weeks against Lake Park and Sycamore, the Barbs have surrendered at least 30 points in their last three against Edwardsville, Neuqua Valley and Metea Valley – winning only last week against the Mustangs, 31-30.

"I know people are probably tired of me saying it, but we're still young on defense," Snyder said. "There's a lot of first year players still going through a growing process. And if you look at it we've played offenses of all different style. Maybe Neuqua is similar in style to Lake Park, but what Lake Park and Neuqua did was still much different. Every game has been unique from Sycamore and the Wing-T to Edwardsville's inside zone. Metea is going to be a whole different animal with the triple option. But we just have do our jobs. Do our 1/11."

The Barbs have been fairly balanced in terms of offense this year – with quarterback Trenton Kyler attempting as many passes as leading rusher Jalon Redmond has rushing attempts. Redmond has run 105 times for 491 yards and five scores, while Kyler has completed 54.2 percent of his passes for 845 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions.

Two of those interceptions came against the Mustangs last week. Snyder said each were timing issues more than anything."
"The first thing you have to do is give Metea credit," Snyder said. "I think they did a good job of executing their game plan. They played really hard. But when it comes to the interceptions, I know the second one Donovan stumbled a little on the wet turf, and TK threw to the spot and Donovan wasn't there. The first one he made a lead on coverage and Alex didn't see it, so he threw the ball and Siebens wasn't looking for the ball. They're just timing things that we just have to make sure we're on the same page.