D2 - A Round 2

[GTfanTN]

4 teams are left in the D2-A state playoffs.  USJ (#1 seed in the west) will travel east to face FC (#1 seed in the east and overall #1 ranked team in D2-A) and JCS (#2 seed in the west) will also travel east to face NCS (#1 seed in the middle).  Both games should be very good as I believe all the teams are pretty evenly matched.

 

USJ vs FC--this will be the first contest between the 2 school in recent memory.  USJ is coming off a very convincing win against Lakeway Christian.  FC blocked an XP in OT  to secure their victory against the defending state champs DCA.  Both teams enter the contest averaging over 38 PPG and surrendering less than 8.5 PPG.   The only common opponent is Lakeway Christain; USJ winning 48-6 and FC winning 38-7.  FC has only played 4 games where their opponent has stayed within 30 points and USJ has only played 2 games that stayed within 30 points.  

FC has a very explosive offense lead by their Mr. Football semifinalist QB #8 (Weekly).  #8 has above average speed and a very good arm.  He looks to run more than any QB the Bruins have played this year other than the triple option QB from Union City  His favorite target is WR #6 (Montgomery).  #6 has very good size, speed and hands.  #8 typically tries to throw the deep ball to #6 3-4 times a game.  He showed off his powerful/strong arm on a long completion where the ball traveled 49 yards in the air last Friday night.  I believe Montgomery will the most physical WR USJ has faced all year.  The Commanders leading rusher is #5 (Wolcott).  #5 is a smaller RB that hides behind a very big O-Line and then hits the hole quickly.  He is hard to tackle once he gets to the 2nd level. 

The Commanders are solid on the defense side of the ball.   Really good size on the defensive front with very aggressive LB play.  Their defensive backs seem to play a little soft making sure to keep everything in front of them.  However, they do have 15 ints on the season.  

USJ offense is very dangerous as they have multiple weapons.  Everything starts with QB #18 (Pettigrew); accurate arm (32 td's and 4 Int's) and very quick in the open field.  The Bruins' rushing attack is lead by Mr. Football semifinalist #31 (Finch) and his 140 ypg.  #31 sees the field well and makes some really good runs when not much is there.  #8 (Barksdale) is #18's top target.  #8 has over 1K yards in receiving and 11 td's.  However, he is not the Bruins' only target.  #17 (Sain) and #0 (Seals) are both big bodies with great hands.  

On the defensive side of the ball; the Bruins have a solid/physical D-Line and a veteran group at LB.  MLB #7 (McMillan) is the leader of the defense.  The DB's are solid tacklers as well as ball hawks.  FC will be a good test for the USJ defensive backfield.  

 

FC has a slight advantage in the kicking game with #24 (Williams).  Almost half of Williams kickoffs reach the end zone and he has a big leg on FG's.  USJ uses 2 kickers that have been solid all year.  Both teams have very explosive offenses.  However, I think this will be a lower scoring game.  The cold weather and 2 solid defense will make scoring tougher to come by than in past games.  

 

JCS vs NCS--this is a rematch of last years quarterfinal game that was won by NCS 35-14.  NCS was victorious last Friday night 42-7 against TCA.  JCS won a great game against MTCS overcoming a 18pt deficit in the 3rd quarter.  They have 2 common opponents.   Both beat Columbia Acd (NCS 31-14 & JCS 49-14) and Trinity Christain Acd ( NCS 42-7 & JCS 49-42).  JCS enters the game on a 6 game winning streak and NCS has won 9 in row.  

 

NCS is lead by their QB Mr. Football semifinalist #2 Curtis.  The freshman has had great year throwing 21 td's with only 5 int's.  #2 is also the 2nd leading rusher for the Eagles.  He has very good size to along with a solid arm.   #24 (Carden) is their leading rusher.  NCS has 4 different players with double digit receptions. #7 (Warmbrod) is the top pass catcher.  The Eagles will try to spread the defense out and let Curtis create with his arm and speed.  

 

JCS is lead by #3 (Boyd).  #3 has over 1600 yards on the ground to go along with 22 td's.  He is small in stature but is very strong and extremely quick.  He hides behind his O-Line and then hits the holes running.  Very tough to bring down once he gets into the secondary.  #3 isn't the only weapon for JCS.  #1 (DeMoss) and #23 (Mosley) create a lot of problems for opposing defenses.  The coaching staff does a real good job of getting these 2 into open space by running outside and getting vertical in the passing game.  #11 (Kelley) will be making his 3rd start of the playoffs at QB.  The sophomore has played well.  Had a sound 2nd half against MTCS as he engineered a comeback with 2 td's in the air. 

Both teams have very solid kicking games so I believe that is a wash.  The D-Line and O-Line will play a huge part in this game.  The biggest question marks:  Will JCS's D-Line be able to put pressure on Curtis and not let run around like Johnny Manziel?  Will NCS's D-Line be able to keep Mosley and DeMoss from getting outside the tackles?  Both teams will move the ball on the other teams defense.  

 

This is my synopsis of the 2 games.  I want to sleep a couple of more nights before I make my picks.  The great unknown is how each team will perform after the hitting starts in 35 deg weather.  Let me know your thoughts on the teams.  

Edited November 16, 2022 by GTfanTN

[BobbyB]

I've seen all four play this season , in my opinion NC is the most battle tested. They played a challenging schedule and the other 3 have not played near as many quality opponents . I'm taking NC to win it.  USJ / FC should be good game . DCA may have showed the road map to beating FC by loading box stop run and make them pass . USJ QB under the radar I believe he has a big night . I've seen FC play several games this year they kill themselves with penalties, usually personal fouls . It's hard to beat quality opponents when you shoot yourself in the foot.  

[GTfanTN]

5 hours ago, BobbyB said:

I've seen all four play this season , in my opinion NC is the most battle tested. They played a challenging schedule and the other 3 have not played near as many quality opponents . I'm taking NC to win it.  USJ / FC should be good game . DCA may have showed the road map to beating FC by loading box stop run and make them pass . USJ QB under the radar I believe he has a big night . I've seen FC play several games this year they kill themselves with penalties, usually personal fouls . It's hard to beat quality opponents when you shoot yourself in the foot.  

I totally agree with pretty much everything you said.  DCA's 5 man front shut down the running game and FC uses the run to set up the pass.  That was by far the worst offensive performance of the year for FC.  Will be interesting to see how the Bruins defense attacks FC offense.  

FC/USJ should be a great game.  I also agree that NCS will beat JCS and play USJ in the championship game.  I'm not sure if I believe that NCS is that much more battle tested than USJ.  I believe NCS best 2 opponents were FRA and DA.  Both of these games were played within the first 4 games of the season.  5 of their last 6 games have had running clocks.  USJ's best 3 opponents are JCS (semifinals DII-A), UC (quarterfinals of D1-A) and Hardin Co (lost 2nd round of D1-4A playoffs).  USJ has had a running clock in the last 7 games.  I'm not sure how battle tested either team is right now since both teams haven't played a full game in over a month.  

That is a good discussion for next week.  Right now; the Bruins need to stay focused on their business trip to Lebanon  Friday night.  

Edited November 17, 2022 by GTfanTN

[ReitzFan]

It's  too bad that both games are being broadcast by the NFHS. I refuse to give that monopoly a dime of money because they force quality broadcasters to the sidelines for these NFHS hacks. 

[GTfanTN]

9 hours ago, ReitzFan said:

It's  too bad that both games are being broadcast by the NFHS. I refuse to give that monopoly a dime of money because they force quality broadcasters to the sidelines for these NFHS hacks. 

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I think the USJ game will be broadcasted on the Worthy Road Studios Facebook page tonight with Seabass and Chuck.  

[Intense]

36 minutes ago, GTfanTN said:

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I think the USJ game will be broadcasted on the Worthy Road Studios Facebook page tonight with Seabass and Chuck.  

USJ 28 FC 14.  FC hasn’t seen a defense like USJ.  No weaknesses at any position.  Only way USJ loses is if they have multiple turnovers. 
 

NC over JC by a couple of TD’s as well. 

[CougarDadx2]

10 hours ago, ReitzFan said:

It's  too bad that both games are being broadcast by the NFHS. I refuse to give that monopoly a dime of money because they force quality broadcasters to the sidelines for these NFHS hacks. 

Watch Blackman vs Oakland on StorkVision! I know 6A in Murfreesboro, but 4 Mr. Football candidate on the field in what should be a pretty good game.

[volwalker23]

13 minutes ago, CougarDadx2 said:

Watch Blackman vs Oakland on StorkVision! I know 6A in Murfreesboro, but 4 Mr. Football candidate on the field in what should be a pretty good game.

I'm sure you're already aware but thought I'd mention just in case.. the game will be on StorkVision, but you'll need an NFHS subscription to be able to watch.

[FootballSchoolHigh]

1 hour ago, CougarDadx2 said:

Watch Blackman vs Oakland on StorkVision! I know 6A in Murfreesboro, but 4 Mr. Football candidate on the field in what should be a pretty good game.

Was interested in your take on JC and game last Friday cougar?   Sorry if you have posted it elsewhere.

[ReitzFan]

2 hours ago, GTfanTN said:

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I think the USJ game will be broadcasted on the Worthy Road Studios Facebook page tonight with Seabass and Chuck.  

Worthy Road is not allowed to video stream the USJ at FCS game tonight thanks to the NFHS and the TSSAA. They will be allowed to audio stream and do a radio broadcast but no video. Boycott the NFHS!

[ReitzFan]

1 hour ago, CougarDadx2 said:

Watch Blackman vs Oakland on StorkVision! I know 6A in Murfreesboro, but 4 Mr. Football candidate on the field in what should be a pretty good game.

 Sorry my friend. I know your school is a NFHS member, but you can understand why I will not support a NFHS broadcast during the playoffs. I will miss the state championships this year cause I dropped my eplus cable package which carried the football and basketball championships for a streaming package that is 50 bucks a month cheaper. But I want do NFHS cause the quality of 95% of the broadcasts is just awful

[Playerscoach]

FCS over USJ. Injuries to key players may keep it close but FCS is too physical.

NCS over JCS. Every team goes into the game vs NCS and says “we are going to keep the QB from getting outside and extending plays” then nobody does it. He’s easily the best player in the division and one of the best in the state regardless of class.