Attica @ Cardinal O’Hara – 1:00 pm – Elba High School
| BataviasBest.org
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Key Players: Jake Strzelec (Attica); Damien Marchetti (Attica); Derek Walker (Attica); Phil Wilshire (Attica); Levi Snyder (Attica); Clifford Zeigler (Cardinal O’Hara); William Willis (Cardinal O’Hara); Charles DeBose III (Cardinal O’Hara)
Coming into this non-league matchup, the Blue Devils are hoping to improve upon their unblemished record of 3-0, and move on as the number one team in the league. Standing in their way are the Cardinal O’Hara Hawks, who are 2-1 on the young season, having beat Nichols and CG Finney in lopsided affairs.
Following victories over the Vikings and Finney in consecutive weeks to open the year, the Hawks dropped a close one to University Prep last week by a score of 16-14. Over the course of the first three games, the CO offense has been led by a trio of runners who have all received their fair share of work thus far. Clifford Zeigler, William Willis and Charles DeBose III will carry the mail for the Hawks this week and the Blue Devils will have to be on the lookout for any one of them to break out this afternoon.
Here are their stats to open the season:
As you can see Cardinal O’Hara likes to spread the ball around, and even though only 2/3 games’ stats are listed for the trio, the trend is clear. Interestingly enough, to compliment their heavy running attack, the Hawks have had three separate players throw passes so far this year. Nasir Benton, Donel Cathcart, and Tony Maple have all recorded at least one attempt, while none have thrown over 7 passes (Maple). However, the Hawks’ passing game is an afterthought and this game will come down to the Blue Devils ability to stand up to the CO ground attack.
Defensively, the Hawks have been great this year and will probably be the toughest test for Attica so far.
Alllowing just 34 points over their first three games, Cardinal O’Hara has done a decent job against the run, while also limiting their opponents through the air. Leading tackler Charles DeBose III has accumulated an impressive 28 tackles through just two recorded games, and will be out there gunning for Blue Devils all day long along with several other quality athletes who have, as a team, forced three fumbles in the past two games.
Clearly for Attica, they will need to be at full strength for this one. That means hopefully for the Blue Devils lead runner Jake Strzelec is active for this game.
Strzelec, who will be a game time today, sat out last week against Alexander and has been on the mend for quite some time. Despite his possible absence, though, head coach Rob Cusmano believes his team can collectively pick up the slack and put forth a quality performance no matter what the circumstances.
Taking all matters into account, I still believe in the Blue Devils. Give me Attica going to 4-0.
Prediction: Attica 16 Cardinal O’Hara 14
Other articles you may like:
The GR Report: Week 4 begins with Attica in first place, followed closely by Elba and Oakfield
Cusmano and Company in first place as they head to Cardinal O’Hara this weekend
