Oakfield @ Elba – 1:30 pm – Elba High School
| BataviasBest.org
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Key Players: Allen Chatt (Oakfield); Ryan Emery (Oakfield); Jon Harris (Oakfield); Mike Shanley (Elba/BB); Steele Truax (Elba/BB); John Hochmuth (Elba/BB); Garrett Chappel (Elba/BB)
This contest features two 2-1 teams who are both challenging for the League Title. The Hornets come into this game following a lopsided win over Pembroke last week, while the Lancers suffered a difficult loss to Notre Dame, and each side enters this afternoon with a chance to take firm control of 2nd place and perhaps even a tie for 1st. Here is our Week 4 Game of the Week.
Appearing for the second straight time in our spotlighted contest, these past two weeks have been incredibly important in relation to the Lancer’s League Title hopes. Letting them down against the Irish this past Saturday was the Elba/BB offense. Due in large part to lead running back Mike Shanley’s absence for much of the game, the Lancers were unable to move the ball with any success and found out quickly that they were in for a dogfight with Notre Dame.
Throughout much of the second half, without Shanley, Elba/BB turned to Steele Truax who received the majority of the carries over the last 24 minutes. As good as Truax is at breaking through the line of scrimmage and slicing through tackles, especially on his long touchdown run vs ND, he does not bring what Shanley brings to the table on a given day. Shanley, when healthy, and his ability to catch balls out of the backfield, run to the outside, and make people miss in the open field, is what sets him apart from his teammate as well as many running backs in the Genesee Region League. I believe if the Lancers are to endure another extended period of time without Shanley, especially against Oakfield, the result will not turn out in their favor.
However, if the Elba/BB running back is at 100% and he plays a full game against the Hornets, the duty of stopping him along with the strength of Truax will be a difficult one to endure.
Up to the task however, will be the Hornets’ strong defensive group who is coming off an impressive performance versus the Dragons. In last week’s game, Pat Caprio, Jon Harris, Jake Velletta, Tyler Hamm, Casey Arnold, Ryan Emery, Trent Stack, and Allen Chatt led OA defensively, and will be called upon to plug up the line of scrimmage in order to halt a potentially-dangerous Elba/BB rushing attack.
On the other side of the ball the Hornets will look to Chatt, Emery, Velletta, among others, to lead them to the promise land. Although they have several capable running backs who have provided a great compliment to the passing game, the Oakfield quarterback and his receivers have been the focus of this offense so far during 2014.
Coming off the multiple touchdown performance of a week ago, the OA passing game will attack the Elba/BB secondary early and often all over the field and it will be up to their defensive backs to limit the Hornets’ chances. If the Lancers allow wide receivers to get free outside the numbers and up the seam, before long Oakfield will be able to have their way and light up the scoreboard.
With either side presenting their own specific strength offensively, and being fairly equal defensively in my opinion, I foresee this contest being one of the best of the year. Both the Lancers and Hornets will be able to score points, the defense will tighten up late, and we may even see an overtime. Although it is tough to pick a side, I have to.
Give me the Hornets in this one.
Prediction: Oakfield 28 Elba 27
Who do you think will win?
Other articles you may like:
The GR Report: Week 4 begins with Attica in first place, followed closely by Elba and Oakfield
