The Notre Dame Football team is coming off of a loss to Bishop Kearney a week ago, but the loss may benefit them in the long run. They experienced tough competition, vs a tough opponent – which is exactly what Attica will bring to the field this week.
Attica beat up on Elba/Byron-Bergen last week after a loss to U Prep the week before. Much like the Irish, the loss to U Prep will benefit the Blue Devils as they approach this game as they have already faced an extremely talented football team and will know what awaits them this week.
Players to watch:
Notre Dame
RB Jack Sutherland
Sutherland may have a tough time finding a ton of holes vs a good Attica defense, but he will receive a heavy workload nonetheless. A good portion of ND’s overall success will rest on his shoulders.
DL Ethan Osbourne
I believe Osbourne will be double teamed throughout the night which will open the door for those behind him to make plays at the line of scrimmage.
LB CJ Suozzi
With Osbourne likely facing double teams throughout this game, I expect Suozzi to have plenty of opportunities to make plays near the line of scrimmage. Whether or not he makes them will greatly impact the Notre Dame defense’s ability to stop the Blue Devils.
Attica
QB Damian Marchetti
Marchetti may have to make hay through the passing game if the Blue Devils hope to operate at full efficacy. He is also a threat to run.
RB Alex Piechocki
Piechocki is a huge threat for the Blue Devils’ offense and will pack a punch heading into this game on Friday night. Look for the Irish to account for him by loading up at the line of scrimmage.
LB Levi Snyder
Snyder is the true leader of this defensive unit and will have to continue to do a solid job heading into their toughest matchup of the year.
Prediction:
I can’t wait for this game. With the winner going on to claim the GR League Title, the drama is as great as it gets.
The only tough part about this game is that I have to pick a loser, as each side has proven themselves as worthy of my selection this week – but regardless of the difficulty in doing so, I have indeed reached a decision.
With both the Irish and the Blue Devils each possessing physically imposing fronts on either side of the ball, as well as multiple athletes out of the backfield, in the end, I believe this game will be won by the team who can find different ways to score the football – outside of the running game. Whether it be through the passing game, the return game, or defensively, whichever team can put up points outside of what they receive through running the football will win this game.
And in the end, I see the Attica passing game being the difference here.
