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Semifinal football preview
By Joboo | November 21, 2008
It’s Civil War Saturday in the Ozarks! North vs South in all 4 state semifinals being played involving Ozarks team. Two #1 teams involved in Kearney and Chillicothe, and a team everyone really thinks is #1 in Maryville. But record and rankings don’t matter anymore. Win and it’s on to the Dome. Lose and you’re on your way home.
All games at 1:30 PM Saturday. Here’s what to watch for.
CLASS 1
- Thayer, 11-1 at Tipton, 13-0
- Tipton thrives on defense as their shutdown of Greenfield last week proves. The Cardinals surrender less than 6 points per game and only 4 times this year has a team made 2 trips to the end zone on them. On offense, it’s their offensive line that is their strength. In their last 2 games, RBs Keil Allison and Jonathan Loganbill have both had big games as a result. QB Marcus Brinkley can pass when pressed. But these Cardinals stay grounded as much as possible.
- This is a great matchup for Thayer. They won’t put up 70 like they did against McAuley, but they should be able to top 14. Which is the most anyone has hung on Tipton this year. Tipton has not seen an offensive attack as multi-dimensional as Thayer’s this year. With Jacob Eckman and Josh Huckabee leading the way, should be able to win the ball control battle. On defense, the Bobcats need to sell out to stop the run and make Tipton pass to win. They haven’t been very successful in doing that but their defense has been strong enough to get them through.
CLASS 2
- Maryville, 12-1 at Fair Grove, 13-0
- What a great matchup. Maryville is flat out good. The Spoofhounds only loss this year is the class 3 #1 Chillicothe by 1 point on a missed extra point. They have a fantastic RB/FB combo in RBs Adam Mattson/John Farmer and FB Wyatt Maudlin and love games to be ground wars. The defense is good and very strong against the run, but is vulnerable to passing attacks. They’ve got 2 shutouts this year and have given up 21 or more 4 times. But no more than 28. Carrolton’s more wide open offense moved the ball well against them through the air scoring on three long pass plays, but gained only 22 rushing yards. Not a perfect setup for Fair Grove.
- For those of you wondering what a spoofhound is, I found this.
- The Eagles have to find a way to loosen up the Spoofhound defense. Cam Bruffett needs to hit some passes. We all know that Caleb Schaffitzel has the size, strength, and speed to exploit any space he gets, but Maryville is focusing on him. Fair Grove has the line to win the battle up front, but some passing yards would greatly help the effort. For the Eagle D, they have to play a great all around game. Maryville will run inside and outside, will use all three of their main backs extensively, and will have fresh legs all game long. Fair Grove has the tallest order of the four area teams
CLASS 3
- Chillicothe, 13-0 at Cassville, 10-3
- The best way to describe Chillicothe is Monett+. Run oriented with multiple weapons including leading rusher and burner Bryce Young going for over 1,700 yards, and RBs Clint Dysart and Kyle Dosterchill both gaining over 700. Pass capable with QB Tyler Trammell tossing for more than 1,200 yards and 14 TDs with just 2 interceptions this year. Their defense isn’t quite as good as Monett’s, but is plenty good enough. Dysart, Dosterchill, and lineman Tommy Hargrave lead an opportunistic defense that has generated 28 turnovers this year. With 5 state titles under the legend Bob Fairchild, they have an impressive tradition and fan backing. They are balanced, don’t make many mistakes, and are a serious challenge for Cassville.
- For Cassville, they must continue their strong defensive play. If they cannot contain the Hornet offense they cannot win. Linebackers Ethan Couch and JR Woodruff are going to be key to the Wildcat defense. They have to be all over the place reacting to the Chillicothe backs. Stopping the run is the first priority, but they like the big pass play also. So the Wildcat DBs cannot afford mistakes. Offensively, this is a decent matchup for Cassville. Their offensive line has the size advantage over the Hornets that can offset their superior quickness. If RBs Jon Haney and Joseph Gouvion continue to run with the same intensity they’ve shown the last two games, Cassville can win the possession game.
- If the Wildcats can avoid turnovers and turn this into a straight up smash mouth game, they have a great chance to win. If Chillicothe finds room to run their offense, it could be a long afternoon in Barry County.
CLASS 4
- Webb City, 13-0 at Kearney, 13-0
- For all intents and purposes, this should be your state title game. Helias is a fine team, but these two are a cut above them. Kearney is easily the best defensive team Webb will see this year. LB Tyler Trout leads a Bulldog defense that has only surrendered 66 points this year. And no one has scored more than 10 on them. Last week they held previously undefeated Smith-Cotton to 40 points below their season scoring average and only 217 yards of offense. Offensively, the Bulldogs are very well balanced and explosive. QB Conrad Schottel has thrown for almost 1,800 yards and 15 TDs, 4 running backs have gained over 300 yards on the season, and 4 receivers have 17 catches or more this year. Their lineman aren’t the biggest, but they are quick, aggressive, and well-coached.
- The Cardinals have a big size advantage on the offensive line and have shown that they can be as physical as anyone. That bodes well for Braxton Baker and Mack Kyle. Webb should be able to ground and pound on the Bulldog defense. The possible red flag is Kearney being able to control the ball also. Webb City’s defense needs to assert itself and keep their time on the field to a decent level. If Kearney can wear them down, it will be all downhill for the Cardinals.
- Both teams are best playing from the lead. If neither team makes any huge mistakes, this could be a classic slugfest. But something tells me one of these coaches is going to find a wrinkle that makes it not as close as that.
Topics: Football |