McCort vs. Forest Hills
Posted: November 14th, 2005, 11:15 am
Yes Sir Buddy! Given the rivalry and drama between these two teams over the past 12 months, I can't think of a better match up for the Title Tilt in D6 AA. Both teams have taken different roads to get where they are today, but only one will be raising that District Trophy late Friday night.
The Bishop McCort Crimson Crushers. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a McCort fan. But you have to tip your hat to this team after what they've done over the past couple weeks. Going into the playoffs I think everyone thought McCort would be the least likely team to be representing on their side of the bracket. Everyone except the McCort kids (and fans). They surely have earned their spot in Altoona Friday night.
McCort has made it's way to this championship game in dramatic fashion with come from behind wins over Bedford and Tyrone. I know I have a stiff neck after listening to both of their games via radio. The Crushers have had me shaking my head in disbelief as they have been evolving into the team that everyone thought they would be late in this playoff run.
Speaking of evolving, how about the play of Mike Sheridan. The kid has really stepped it up and is the reason McCort is playing this weekend. The Crushers are moving the ball through the air and on the ground, making them very difficult to defend. With Wadley and Barbin back in the lineup, the Crushers are clicking on all cylinders.
The Forest Hills Rangers. The Rangers have had their cruise control button set for Altoona since that week 8 win over McCort, and it almost proved lethal. Forest Hills hasn't played 4 quarters of football since week 8, which they better change if they hope to win it all.
At the beginning of the year nobody, including myself expected the Rangers to be where they are right now. Coming into this year Ranger fans where predicting 5-4, 7-2 at best. I even heard rumors of a losing season. This team has really come together and is playing some good football.
Why is Forest Hills here? Although names like Trout, Rearick, Lazeration, and Oswalt, stick out this has really been a total team effort. We have seen the running game get shut down, only to have the passing game step it up, and vica versa. Players have been picking each other up all season long. Now it is time to see if this team will be added to the list of GREAT teams in Forest Hills history as FH will be looking for their seventh District Title.
The Game. Don Bailey said it in his interview after the Marion Center game. The Week 8 meeting between these two teams means nothing. This couldn't be more true.
For the Crushers they are indeed looking for revenge for that week 8 loss. McCort is claiming they were not at full strength, and they are a much better team now. While that may be true, Bishop McCort is still going to have to play better then they did the last two weeks in order to win this game. Somehow they managed to turn the ball over five times last week, and still come out with a win. In the first round, they were down big only to have Swaimy think he had it in the bag, which gave room for McCort to come back. I highly doubt they can win with five turnovers this week, and I know Don Bailey will not think this one is over until the final buzzer.
The knock on the Crushers all year has been that they are too one dimensional. They have proved otherwise the last two weeks. Again this week Barbin and Lewis will get loose a few times and find the endzone. That is a given. The key to this game for the Crushers will again be Sheridan. If he comes out early and has success throwing the football, the Crushers are going to be very tough to handle. On the Defensive side of the ball, McCort has the arguably the best run defense in the District. They are huge up front, and they have Scotty Lewis at middle backer. This team is a force against the run.
For the Rangers the fire is still a burning. How better to get revenge for a year full of taunting by McCort and their fans because of the two back-to-back losses from a year ago then to beat them twice in one year, and to boot at the District Championship game.
Forest Hills has had the most balanced attack in the LHAC all year long. But they haven't played a complete game in nearly a month. They will need to this week, and bring back that emotion and intensity that they had at Trojan Stadium. The key for the Rangers in this one will be similar to what it was in week 8. Their line play. Forest Hills must be able to establish some type of ground game early in this one. Also, I am sure McCort will be bringing heavy pressure on Rearick throughout the night. In week 8 the Crushers weren't able to get much heat on Rearick, I am sure they will be doing all they can to change that this week. Forest Hills must be prepared to pick up the blitz, especically off the edges. If they can control the McCort defensive front, I like Forest Hills chances in this one.
On the Defensive side of the ball for Forest Hills it's all about pressure as well. The D-line and Brad Waters have been playing exceptional against the run all year, and I would expect the same this week as well. The Ranger secondary has been a little soft the past couple of weeks. PLAY THE BALL FELLA'S NOT THE MAN!!! Forest Hills must limit the big plays of McCort. The best way to do that, get some pressure on Sheridan. If Phil Trout, Tyler Johnson, and the Ranger front can apply some heat to Sheridan, I think they can hold the Crushers in check.
Of course in a game this close it's always about the turnover battle as well. McCort put the ball on the field a good bit last week. Lazeration has a history of doing the same for Forest Hills. Rearick has been picked off a few times over the last couple of weeks as well. A big turnover at some point will surely have a huge impact in this game.
What does a game like this come down to in the end? Desire and momentum. This game will surely be one for the ages, and an experience these kids will never forget.
I've said all year it takes 25 points to beat McCort if you take care of the football. I'm sticking to that. Cowboy Up!
Rangers 27 - McCort 24
The Bishop McCort Crimson Crushers. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a McCort fan. But you have to tip your hat to this team after what they've done over the past couple weeks. Going into the playoffs I think everyone thought McCort would be the least likely team to be representing on their side of the bracket. Everyone except the McCort kids (and fans). They surely have earned their spot in Altoona Friday night.
McCort has made it's way to this championship game in dramatic fashion with come from behind wins over Bedford and Tyrone. I know I have a stiff neck after listening to both of their games via radio. The Crushers have had me shaking my head in disbelief as they have been evolving into the team that everyone thought they would be late in this playoff run.
Speaking of evolving, how about the play of Mike Sheridan. The kid has really stepped it up and is the reason McCort is playing this weekend. The Crushers are moving the ball through the air and on the ground, making them very difficult to defend. With Wadley and Barbin back in the lineup, the Crushers are clicking on all cylinders.
The Forest Hills Rangers. The Rangers have had their cruise control button set for Altoona since that week 8 win over McCort, and it almost proved lethal. Forest Hills hasn't played 4 quarters of football since week 8, which they better change if they hope to win it all.
At the beginning of the year nobody, including myself expected the Rangers to be where they are right now. Coming into this year Ranger fans where predicting 5-4, 7-2 at best. I even heard rumors of a losing season. This team has really come together and is playing some good football.
Why is Forest Hills here? Although names like Trout, Rearick, Lazeration, and Oswalt, stick out this has really been a total team effort. We have seen the running game get shut down, only to have the passing game step it up, and vica versa. Players have been picking each other up all season long. Now it is time to see if this team will be added to the list of GREAT teams in Forest Hills history as FH will be looking for their seventh District Title.
The Game. Don Bailey said it in his interview after the Marion Center game. The Week 8 meeting between these two teams means nothing. This couldn't be more true.
For the Crushers they are indeed looking for revenge for that week 8 loss. McCort is claiming they were not at full strength, and they are a much better team now. While that may be true, Bishop McCort is still going to have to play better then they did the last two weeks in order to win this game. Somehow they managed to turn the ball over five times last week, and still come out with a win. In the first round, they were down big only to have Swaimy think he had it in the bag, which gave room for McCort to come back. I highly doubt they can win with five turnovers this week, and I know Don Bailey will not think this one is over until the final buzzer.
The knock on the Crushers all year has been that they are too one dimensional. They have proved otherwise the last two weeks. Again this week Barbin and Lewis will get loose a few times and find the endzone. That is a given. The key to this game for the Crushers will again be Sheridan. If he comes out early and has success throwing the football, the Crushers are going to be very tough to handle. On the Defensive side of the ball, McCort has the arguably the best run defense in the District. They are huge up front, and they have Scotty Lewis at middle backer. This team is a force against the run.
For the Rangers the fire is still a burning. How better to get revenge for a year full of taunting by McCort and their fans because of the two back-to-back losses from a year ago then to beat them twice in one year, and to boot at the District Championship game.
Forest Hills has had the most balanced attack in the LHAC all year long. But they haven't played a complete game in nearly a month. They will need to this week, and bring back that emotion and intensity that they had at Trojan Stadium. The key for the Rangers in this one will be similar to what it was in week 8. Their line play. Forest Hills must be able to establish some type of ground game early in this one. Also, I am sure McCort will be bringing heavy pressure on Rearick throughout the night. In week 8 the Crushers weren't able to get much heat on Rearick, I am sure they will be doing all they can to change that this week. Forest Hills must be prepared to pick up the blitz, especically off the edges. If they can control the McCort defensive front, I like Forest Hills chances in this one.
On the Defensive side of the ball for Forest Hills it's all about pressure as well. The D-line and Brad Waters have been playing exceptional against the run all year, and I would expect the same this week as well. The Ranger secondary has been a little soft the past couple of weeks. PLAY THE BALL FELLA'S NOT THE MAN!!! Forest Hills must limit the big plays of McCort. The best way to do that, get some pressure on Sheridan. If Phil Trout, Tyler Johnson, and the Ranger front can apply some heat to Sheridan, I think they can hold the Crushers in check.
Of course in a game this close it's always about the turnover battle as well. McCort put the ball on the field a good bit last week. Lazeration has a history of doing the same for Forest Hills. Rearick has been picked off a few times over the last couple of weeks as well. A big turnover at some point will surely have a huge impact in this game.
What does a game like this come down to in the end? Desire and momentum. This game will surely be one for the ages, and an experience these kids will never forget.
I've said all year it takes 25 points to beat McCort if you take care of the football. I'm sticking to that. Cowboy Up!
Rangers 27 - McCort 24