By J.J. Totaro
Special to LoudounPrepSports.com
(Nov. 21, 2007) –This Friday night at 7 p.m. the Sherando Warriors (11-0) will host Park View (10-1) for the AA Region II Division 4 Finals.The Warriors come in boasting an undefeated season, though were given a scare last week by rival James Wood in a 21-14 semifinal victory. Park View has one loss on their record, to rival Broad Run in the final week of the regular season, but the Patriots avenged it with a 16-12 win over the Spartans in the semifinals last week.
Looking at the two teams, this game could come down to the wire.
The Warriors have had an impressive year, both on offense and defense, scoring over 400 points and allowing only 87. On offense, Sherando has only been held under 21 points once this season and that was their first win of the season againstJefferson High School inWest Virginia. In three games this year, Sherando has scored 50 or more points on their opponents, and has beaten almost everyone by double-digit margins.
Park View Offense:
The Patriots have a potent offense themselves this year, scoring 342 total points in their 11 games. Though they have not scored as many points as Sherando, they have scored more against common opponents Handley and Jefferson. Park View scored 34 points on Handley in Week 3 and 35 on Jefferson (WVA), while Sherando scored 23 against Handley and seven againstJefferson.
Sherando Defense:
Sherando’s defense has been just as impressive as their offense, boasting three shutout games this season and holding opponents to less than 90 total points. They have limited opponents in yardage too, allowing only 171 yards per game. Along with three shutouts, no team has been able to score more than two touchdowns against the stout Warrior defense.
Park View Defense:
Park View has not been the toughest on defense, but has done enough to win. The Patriots defense has allowed almost twice as many points as Sherando (172 total points to Sherando’s 87), and has not held any team scoreless this year. Not all the blame can be placed on the defense because the Patriot offense has given the ball away over 30 times this season.
Sherando Key Players:
Leading the offense for the Warriors is QB Ross Metheny (#15), who threw for nearly 1800 yards this season. Helping Metheny are WR Derek Crosen (#7) with 36 catches for 630 yards, and RB Markeith Briscoe (#29) who rushed for 1274 yards on the year. The three of them are the heart of the offense, but Sherando Coach Bill Hall says that “the [key] to our team is just that… TEAM. We could not do it without the line opening holes, and the receivers and tight ends making plays.”
On the defensive side, the Warriors depend on two Division I-AA scholarship players in Brian Barlow and Safety Derek Crosen. Defensive tackle Joey Christine was also an all-state player who returns, along with all-district linebacker Nick Merchant, to help the Sherando defense hold teams to under 8 points a game.
Park View Key Players:
For Park View, QB C.J. Leizear (#10) is the cornerstone of the offense, throwing for over 20 touchdowns and nearly 3000 yards this season alone, as well as being voted Dulles District Player of the Year. Thomas Mulabah will spend some time in the backfield to help Leizear, but most of the rushing detail falls on the shoulders of Eric Johnston, who is both a rushing and receiving threat. Kenny Smith (#33), out all but two games this fall after knee surgery, will be cleared to play, but will only play tight end.
On defense, DE Garrett Smith (#31), and DT Thomas Mulaba (#36), both all-District selections will anchor the front line, but according to Coach Andy Hill, it will be inside linebackers David Revsbach and Nash Cook that need to step up. “It will be key for them to play downhill and aggressive. If we can stop their run, we can get after their quarterback on third-and long-distance downs.”
Coach Bill Hall’s Keys to a Sherando Warrior Victory:
The roster of Sherando is loaded with a group of seniors that played in a state semifinal game two years ago, and Coach Hall is sure that has a major impact. The growth and maturity they have gone through pushes them towards their goal. Hall points out that “big plays and turnover ratios always play a big role in big games.” He adds,“whoever wins the line of scrimmage battle will go a long way in determining the winner.”
Sherando thinks if they can attack with the run and the pass, they should be fine, but focus can be tough with Thanksgiving fast approaching. “Our team’s strength is its focus, and we will keep things as regular as possible.”
Coach’s Final Thought: “If we don’t give up a big (trick) play we should be in good shape to compete.”
Coach Andy Hill’s Keys to a Park View Patriot Victory:
For Coach Andy Hill, his keys are a bit different. The offense has to get back on track and has to finish drives with points. Hill is hoping to gain 4-to-6 yards on first down and to spread the ball more by being disciplined and consistent. As for the defensive side of the ball, it will require a “48 minute effort” to win the game. Being in a position to rush the quarterback in passing situations will be what the Patriots are looking for.
“We’re going to have an intense week of practice” to prepare for the game says Hill. Even with Thanksgiving in the middle of the week “ I trust my kids to make smart decisions with the Thanksgiving meal and time away from school.” Park View will come back Friday before they depart forWinchester to run through one more team walk-through to tie up any loose ends.
Coach’s Final Thought: “We have developed the ability to overcome adversity, and we will need that strength to get a victory at Arrowhead Stadium.”
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