LOOKING FOR ANOTHER STRONG SEASON – Eric Meek and the Catholic Central Crusaders had a memorable 2023 season and are hoping for another in 2024 when the season opens Saturday night with a visit from Wellsville at Harding Stadium. – Andrew Grimm
STEUBENVILLE – A memorable season for Catholic Central began with a win over Wellsville.
The Crusaders hope to repeat that victory over the Tigers and the memorable season it began when their northern opponents from State Route 7 come to Harding Stadium for the season opener on Saturday night.
“We’re ready to play,” said Meek, whose team is coming off a 9-2 season and back-to-back playoff appearances. “We’ve had a good summer leading up to it. We’ve got some guys back who have been through this before and some new faces as well. Some of those new faces have been getting a lot of good play in our practice games. We’re excited and ready to go.”
The Tigers are coming off a 1-9 season and are looking to bounce back. Central won last season’s road game 37-6, but Meek expects a much improved Tigers team to take to Harding Stadium this time around based on what he’s seen from them.
“We know it’s going to be a challenge because Wellsville is going to be a tough opponent,” Meek said. “It’s going to be a big task. They have a lot of young players back and from what I’ve seen on film, they’ve really improved from last year.”
Wellsville, which is 7-5 against the Crusaders in the all-time record between the two schools, is also a very familiar opponent for Meek, as the veteran coach had a successful tenure as head coach of the Tigers from 1995 to 2002.
“I was the head coach there for eight years. I just know the type of kids that Wellsville produces, and they’re always tough guys,” he said. “They’re pretty fast and like to crowd on defense and apply pressure. On offense, they have some really athletic kids that can play in space.”
The Crusaders didn’t lose a single game at Harding Stadium last season and will be hoping to continue that streak starting Saturday night before heading on the road over the next two weeks.
“That first win is important,” said Meek, who is looking to surpass 150 career wins this season. “We won all six games at Harding Stadium last year. It would be really nice, especially for our seniors and our program, to continue that streak for a second year.”
“It’s always great to start 1-0 because you’re so fired up to go out there and try to win. It’s going to be a tough battle, we just hope that at the end of Saturday night we’re lucky enough to come out healthy and with a win.”
