I know that many of you would love to crown Cassville state champions right now.  After going through Seneca, Rogersville, and KC O’Hara, they’ve done enough to deserve it.  But there’s still one game left to play.  And it’s against a team that deserves to be mentioned with those three.  So let’s take a few moments to get to know Cassville’s opponent, and break down what we may see in St. Louis on Saturday.

Bowling Green Bobcats

• Record: 14-0
• Colors: Red & black
• Playoff appearance: 6 (‘81, ‘83, ‘86, ‘91, ‘08, ‘09)
• Playoff record: 4-5
• PPG: 38.1
• APG: 8.5
• Offense: Spread
• Defense: 4-3
• Road to the Dome:

  • Def. Lutheran North 45-15 at home
  • Def. Trinity Catholic 41-0 at Trinity
  • Def. Mexico 34-7 at home
  • Def. Priory 20-7 at Priory
• Key Players:
  • Ryan Cox, QB/K/P – 2,356 yards passing, 27 TD, 8 INT
  • Geoff Correnti, C/LB – 124 tackles
  • Roger Walkley, RB/DB – 121 carries, 831 yards, 9 TD
  • Cody Spegal, TE/LB – 42 rec, 561 yards, 6 TD
  • Devan Cobb, RB/LB – 101 tackles, 5.5 sacks
  • Tyler Behlman, RB/DB – 35 rec, 532 yards, 5 TD
  • Jeff Neimeyer, T/DE – 65 tackles, 7 sacks
  • Jeff Pease, RB/SS – 55 carries, 486 yards, 8 TD
  • Huntley Leverenz, RB/DE – 76 carries, 442 yards, 8 TD, 14 rec, 113 yards, 2 TD
  • Matt Brown, WR/DB – 52 tackles, 11 INT
  • Blake Robbins, SE/DB – 27 rec, 423 yards, 6 TD
  • Zach Pease, RB/S – 34 carries, 279 yards, 4 TD, 15 rec, 230 yards, 4 TD

Overview

• The Bobcats are a team on the rise in coach Jimmy Tucker’s fifth year.  Progressing from a 1-9 record in 2005, to 5-5 in 2006, 7-3 in 2007, 8-3 and making the playoffs in 2008, to their current 14-0 record.  They play a smart game and have players with good football IQ in their key positions.  They run a true spread offense with the wildcat formation thrown in from time to time.  Their tough defense emphasizes speed and good tackling.  In terms of size, they’re very similar to Cassville.  A number of weapons (9 players have at least 5 TDs) on offense make them a real challenge to defend.  They do run a number of players both ways.  Most skill position players will at least rotate through on defense.  While the three players that start both ways each have a spot on the offensive or defensive line.

Offense

• The spread is their primary offense and their leader is QB Ryan Cox.  Very smart & poised is how he’s described.  He has a better than 3 to 1 TD to interception ratio and a completion percentage of 55%.  While that’s enhanced somewhat by their quick tosses to the flat, he is still fairly accurate.  And has decent arm strength.  Cox has decent running ability but uses it mainly in short yardage situations.  Not as physically gifted as O’Hara’s T.J. White, he plays a smart game.  Roger Walkley is the main ball carrier and runs hard with good speed.  Huntley Leverenz is the battering ram out of the backfield.  Both take multiple tacklers to bring down.  Tyler Behlmen, Leverenz, and Zach Pease are favorite targets for quick outs.  While Cody Spegal and Blake Robbins are more downfield receivers and use their height (both are 6′1″) to good advantage.  When they go to the wildcat, Jeff Pease usually gets the snap with brother Zach also a target.  Both have good speed and elusiveness.  The line is not exceptionally big running 230, 200, 225, 240, 180.  But they suit the scheme they run and work very well together.

Defense

• Geoff Correnti is the heart & soul of the Bobcat’s 4-3 defense.  Decent speed, great football IQ, and plays with a bit of a nasty streak.  Just what you want in a MLB.  End Jeff Neimeyer stand 6′7″ and is a basketball prospect.  Think Waylon Doty from Aurora.  Good mobility, hard to keep at bay, tough to throw over.  His bookend Leverenz also brings some decent speed and power from the edge.  Again, not huge across the line going 205, 230, 190, 230.  But like Cassville, the linebackers are the key.  Correnti, Devan Cobb, and Devan Schuckenbrock are the teams #1, #2, and #4 tacklers.  #3 on that list is defensive back Matt Brown who has good coverage skills and speed.  He also plays wide receiver so he has good hands when given a shot at an interception as evidenced by his 11 picks on the year.  The Pease brothers start at two of the other defensive back positions making them a strong defensive backfield combo.

Special Teams

• Cox is both the punter and kicker for the Bobcats.  He has a solid 36.2 yard average on his punts.  But has hit only 26 of 36 extra points, and has missed his only field goal try.  Also the best stats I can find show no touchbacks on the year when kicking off.  The Pease brothers share kick return duties, and they’re obviously dangerous in those roles.

Media Coverage

• KHQA Bowling Green team page.
• Video from week 10 against Winfield.  Starts at 3:39.
• Video from regional against Lutheran North.  Starts at 2:20.
• Video from sectional against Trinity.  Starts at 1:28.
• Video from quarterfinal against Mexico.  Starts at 17:34.
• Video from semifinal against Priory.
• Feature on MLB Geoff Correnti and the BG defense.
• Bowling Green Times articles
  • 7-3 over St. Francs Borgia.
  • 41-0 over Trinity Catholic & 45-15 over Lutheran North.
  • 38-6 over Lutheran St. Charles.
  • 20-0 over Van-Far.
  • 34-7 over Mexico.
  • 32-0 over Winfield.
  • 25-7 over North Callaway.
  • 32-26 (OT) over Montgomery County.
  • 44-8 over Mark Twain.
• Hannibal Courier-Post articles.
  • 20-7 over Priory.
  • 41-0 over Trinity Catholic.
• MSHSAA Show-Me Bowl page

THE GAME

The Bobcats present a new challenge to Cassville.  They utilize far more offensive weapons than any team the Wildcats have faced thus far.  Defensively they will have to be sharp and continue to be disciplined.  Their athleticism will be tested.  Offensively, the game plan shouldn’t change much.  But they’re facing a defense that can pursue well, brings some pressure, and that has a great field general.

Keys for Cassville

1. No big plays allowed – Cassville is expert at wearing their opponents down with superior numbers and strength.  That will be a challenge here, but it gives them their best chance to win.  Even if Bowling Green scores, they have to make them take time to do it and wear down the boys up front.
2. Get a hat on Geoff Correnti – Much easier said than done.  But the Wildcats need to limit his impact on their running game as much as possible.
3. Seal the corners – The Wildcats are capable of running between the tackles, but good things happen when they give Joseph Gouvion, Trevor Tanner, and Josh Lewright room to operate outside.  They need to control Neimeyer and Leverenz and make the LBs & DBs stop them.

Keys for Bowling Green

1. Let lightning strike – The Bobcats would benefit greatly from getting some quick points early.  It would take Cassville out of their comfort zone, and give them some breathing room to work with.
2. Take to the air – With Cassville’s front line strength and pursuit speed, Bowling Green has to establish the passing game.  Their play selection this year has been 61% run, 39% pass.  They need to at least even those numbers out or even reverse them.
3. Leave it all on the field – With their numbers that play both ways and how the Wildcats hit on every down, Bowling Green is in for the fight of their life.  It’s a total cliche but if the Bobcats don’t give everything they have they cannot win.

Key matchup

• It’s the coaching staffs.  As previously stated, Cassville hasn’t faced a team with this many weapons on the offensive side of the ball.  But I doubt that Bowling Green has faced a team that combines so much athleticism and so much power, with such strong discipline.  Whoever prepares their team better for what they’re about to face has a big advantage.

Intangibles

• Bowling Green is much closer with just a 90 minute drive to the Dome.  But Cassville travels very well as evidenced by last years huge crowd in St. Louis.  And they have the experience of having been down this road before.  Bowling Green has to feel like their time has come with the way they’ve progressed over the last few years.  I’ve noticed that the Bobcats seem to have a slight tendency toward fumbling, but I don’t have enough data to say that with certainty.  If there’s one thing that does stand out for me it’s the incredible focus that Cassville has had all season.  Ever since the loss in game 1, the Wildcats have been dialed in.  They haven’t looked past anyone, and they haven’t let down after any win.  They are focused on each and every game like I’ve rarely seen before.

Summary

• Both teams play great team ball & great defense.  They’re both explosive but in different ways.  It should be a great football matchup no matter what happens.  Let’s get to Saturday.