Week 5 preview: Despite 0-4 record, Rodgers stars for Culver

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Triton (2-2, 1-1 Hoosier North) at Culver (0-4, 0-2), 7 p.m.

Culver had 195 yards of offense in a 52-18 loss to West Central last week, and running back Jack Rodgers accounted for 116 of them on the ground, and he also had a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Culver coach Austin Foust also said that quarterback Jonas McCuen started making more plays with his feet against West Central after working on that aspect in the practices prior to that game.

But West Central put up 447 yards of offense against Culver’s defense. The Cavaliers are allowing 49.8 points per game.

Foust said the focus defensively in practice has revolved around being more physical and reading keys.

Foust said missed execution on a fourth-down attempt helped turn the momentum West Central’s way, and the Trojans built a 36-12 halftime lead.

“We just keep shooting ourselves in the foot and beat ourselves, execution-type stuff,” Foust said.

Culver will face a Triton team coming off a 28-21 loss to Bremen last week. However, Triton has won the last three meetings against Culver, including a 42-0 win last year.

“Obviously, Cole Shively is a big-time athlete, maybe one of the best athletes in the conference,” Foust said of Triton’s senior quarterback, who has over 200 yards rushing and passing this season. “He didn’t play last week against Bremen, and Triton played really well and had a shot to win it at the end. I think he’s supposed to be back for us, so we’re going to have to try to contain him, and he does a lot, not only with his arm but with his feet. That’s what makes him so dangerous. Just when you think you’ve got everybody covered up, he’s going to take off and run on you, and he’s very athletic and very fast.”