Creston vs Bishop Heelan Catholic (I think Creston is the home team)
First game features defending champion SCH versus Creston. What to make of the trends?
Well, SCH had -25 yards rushing and just 8 first downs, but prevailed 14-2 in their semi-final. They have some injuries, but did have a return from illness. Creston can score, and score and score. SCH has been there, done that, with respect to the UNIDome. Creston moves their scoring machine inside. SCH can play defense, even with some personnel down. Creston doesn't bring a record of defense to the dome. This could be a high scoring affair, but I'm picking SCH because of their dome experience and their ability to score with not much offensive output.
Xavier vs Pella (I think Xavier is the home team)
Pella has a talented slippery quarterback. Pella has a few big, fast linemen on offense and defense. Pella strikes quick. Pella has the top ranked defense. Pella has throttled many teams.
Xavier has their leading rusher and captain out. Their fullback and linebacker captain out. Xavier doesn't throttle too many teams. Xavier has a young QB. Xavier defense isn't top ranked, but they are top shelf.
Pella has played two Quarterfinal teams and beat them soundly. Xavier has played the top ranked team in 4A and the top ranked team in 1A and lost both games with limits on offense.
Pella has to be the heavy favorite, but it is hard to pick against the Xavier record in the post-season.
Maybe the most instructive games are the physical context with Carlisle and the late season contest with IC Regina. For Pella, the Carlisle game spawned off a couple of big plays by the defense. For Xavier, the ICR game ended up with a couple of big plays from ICR.
I'll pick injured, worn down, thrice beaten Xavier and wonder if Pella spins the big plays. Pella's best route to winning is to stop the Xavier run game and get lots of offensive possessions. Xavier's best route is to get ahead and then use the stifling defense and some clock consuming drives.
First game features defending champion SCH versus Creston. What to make of the trends?
Well, SCH had -25 yards rushing and just 8 first downs, but prevailed 14-2 in their semi-final. They have some injuries, but did have a return from illness. Creston can score, and score and score. SCH has been there, done that, with respect to the UNIDome. Creston moves their scoring machine inside. SCH can play defense, even with some personnel down. Creston doesn't bring a record of defense to the dome. This could be a high scoring affair, but I'm picking SCH because of their dome experience and their ability to score with not much offensive output.
Xavier vs Pella (I think Xavier is the home team)
Pella has a talented slippery quarterback. Pella has a few big, fast linemen on offense and defense. Pella strikes quick. Pella has the top ranked defense. Pella has throttled many teams.
Xavier has their leading rusher and captain out. Their fullback and linebacker captain out. Xavier doesn't throttle too many teams. Xavier has a young QB. Xavier defense isn't top ranked, but they are top shelf.
Pella has played two Quarterfinal teams and beat them soundly. Xavier has played the top ranked team in 4A and the top ranked team in 1A and lost both games with limits on offense.
Pella has to be the heavy favorite, but it is hard to pick against the Xavier record in the post-season.
Maybe the most instructive games are the physical context with Carlisle and the late season contest with IC Regina. For Pella, the Carlisle game spawned off a couple of big plays by the defense. For Xavier, the ICR game ended up with a couple of big plays from ICR.
I'll pick injured, worn down, thrice beaten Xavier and wonder if Pella spins the big plays. Pella's best route to winning is to stop the Xavier run game and get lots of offensive possessions. Xavier's best route is to get ahead and then use the stifling defense and some clock consuming drives.