Blogger's Note: This was my column that appeared in last week's Sunday Dispatch (www.psdispatch.com). I have received a few compliments on it (pat-pat on back), so I thought I would share it with the Blogging World. Enjoy!
I know. Just by reading the headline, you now know for sure that I am certifiably nuts.
And it might actually be so. But as a community sports writer, I need to find the positive in everything in covering Old Forge. So, here is my take on how the Blue Devils – a 42-6 loser to start the season to the arch-rival Vikes – can beat Riverside next Friday night for the District 2 Title.
DO NOT KICK TO KLEBON! If that statement isn’t obvious, I don’t know what else would be. But it wasn’t obvious to Dunmore last week. And as I stood on the sideline in disbelief, the senior stud tailback took the opening kickoff 95 yards to paydirt as the house erupted and totally deflated the previously undefeated Bucks. Squib kick, pooch kick, onside kick. It doesn’t matter where Riverside gets the ball, they can score from anywhere at anytime. Just don’t let them deflate you immediately after a score with a run back.
KEEP THE BALL AWAY FROM THE VIKES OFFENSE… I know that is easier said than done, but ball control is a must. Just like you wouldn’t kickoff to Joe Klebon, you must keep the ball out of not only his hands on offense, but also Riverside’s other playmakers: Jay Velehoski, Matt and Corey Talerico, Ryan Chisdock, Kevin Sochovka and Corey Schuster. That means hand the ball to Brian Morris, Jon Kaville, Jim Tagliaferri, Anthony Pero and whoever else, 50 to 60 times. If Old Forge must pass, throw the pigskin short and in the middle of the field. Keep the clock ticking, and don’t give Riverside’s athletes any chance to jump the routes or their pass rushers extra time to get to Corey Hodick. And you know what else? Don’t punt on fourth down. Go for it no matter where you are. Again, Riverside can score from 80 yards on one play or 20 yards on one play. Run the clock.
WHEN THE VIKES HAVE THE BALL… Pray. And make them earn every yard. So that means Old Forge is going to have to pick their poison. Either stack up against the run with 8 and 9 guys in the box or gamble with multiple DBs to try and stop the pass. Personally, I am stacking up against the run. Clogging holes. Getting as many hats on Klebon and Talerico. And pressuring Velehoski when he drops back to pass. That is going to put a lot of pressure on DBs Bob Vieira, Dustin Slack, Brian Morris and Gabe Wilson, but it needs to be done. If you zone up with them, they are going to run by you. If you are going to get beat, it might as well be man-for-man. Remember one other thing Old Forge DBs, pass interference is only a 15-yard penalty. So if you are beat deep with the ball in the air, start grabbing and tackling. No big plays! That is our mantra. Put more guys in the box and make them block 7 or 8 with five or six guys. Get to the QB faster than he could dump the ball to either Talerico or Klebon and you have a chance. Otherwise, go back to praying.
NO BIG PLAYS, NO TURNOVERS, NO PENALTIES…. You need to play the perfect game. That doesn’t mean executing every offensive or defensive snap to perfection, but it does mean no big plays, no turnovers and especially, no penalties. Riverside is extremely talented and diverse already. Do not give them any advantage by allowing a big play, or coughing up the football, or getting a personal foul penalty on a big third down play.
PLAY EVERY PLAY AS IF IT IS YOUR LAST… Because you know what Blue Devils, it is. This group of seniors have won 25 games in three years for Old Forge, and if they want to win No. 26, they have to play at a high level of intensity for the entire game. The Vikes may be more talented, but if the Blue Devils can play more inspired, more desperate, more heart-filled football, that can win you a game when the team across from you isn’t expecting it and is looking ahead – which Riverside is most definitely doing.
Well those are my five keys to beating the Vikes.
Call me crazy. Call me irrational. Call me biased. Call me stupid.
Just don’t call me late for dinner. A dinner you will owe me when the Blue Devils pull off the biggest upset in the history of this rivalry.
Old Forge 28, Riverside 27
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