Rockets, Mikes give county two playoff teams
Menhart
Jefferson-Morgan coach Liam Ryan. (Photo by Richard Finch)
After no county teams qualified for the WPIAL postseason last year, Jefferson-Morgan and Carmichaels will play in the second season tonight and will look to continue their 2012 season deep into the playoffs.
Both playoff games are set to kickoff at 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on greenesports.net.
The following are playoff profiles for both teams and all you need to know about the WPIAL postseason match-ups.
Jefferson-Morgan Rockets
Record: 7-2, 6-2 in the Tri-County South Conference (second place)
Points for/Points against: 332 points for (36.9 per game)/144 points against (16 per game)
Streaks: J-M began the season 3-0, but then lost two of its next three games. However, the Rockets ended the season by winning three straight and outscoring the opposition by a 166-20 margin.
Key Wins: Week One vs. Carmichaels, Week Five at Frazier
Key Losses: Week Four at Avella, Week Six vs. Beth-Center
Key Statistic: Even though the Rockets are known for their productive big-play offense, the defense has been the rock for this squad. J-M has only allowed more than 30 points once this year and has only allowed an average of 16 points per game. The Rockets are led by their aggressive pass rush and their steady defensive front seven that stuffs the run.
Key Players: J-M is led by its strong running attack, headlined by Dustin Conti (1,017 rushing yards/11 touchdowns), Nic Santoya (11 touchdowns), Jesse Jento (454 rushing yards/four touchdowns) and its dual-threat quarterback/jet sweep runner Tyler Bowman (778 total yards/11 total touchdowns).
Recent Playoff History: After missing the postseason the last two years, the Rockets return to the playoffs and are looking for their first victory in the second season since a quarterfinal win against Duquesne. Their last home playoff game was in 2007 (a loss to Apollo-Ridge) and its last home playoff win was in 2006 against Fort Cherry. J-M has qualified for the playoffs in seven of the last 10 seasons with their deepest run being a trip to the semifinals in 2006.
Playoff Opponent: Neshannock Lancers (8-1, tied for 1st in the Big Seven Conference with Sto-Rox and Rochester). They average 41 points per game and give up 17 points per game this year.
Site Change: Tonight’s 7:30 p.m. kickoff will take place at Waynesburg Central High School. Due to the weather, the WPIAL moved all first round games to artificial surfaces.
Scouting the Opponent: The Lancers are coached by Fred Mozzocio. They run a spread offense that predicates itself on short passing routes and spreading out teams to open up running lanes for their running backs and quarterback. Ernie Burkes is a dual-threat signal collar with 1,251 passing yards, 625 rushing yards and 21 total touchdowns. Tailback Eli Owens (942 yards/eight touchdowns), receiver Alex Welker (32 receptions for 540 and eight touchdowns) and tailback/receiver John Congolose (933 total yards and five touchdowns) also leads the offense.
Keys to the Game: “They are very creative on offense,” J-M coach Liam Ryan said. “They like to spread you out and run these short passing routes, but they can also throw deep and run some jet sweeps and draws. We have to limit their tempo and run the ball on offense. We have to win time of possession and control the clock. Defensively, we have to be aggressive at the line and the front seven has to be responsible for their gaps and make the correct reads.”
Carmichaels Mighty Mikes
Record: 7-2, 6-2 in the Tri-County South Conference (third place)
Points for/Points against: 334 points for (37.1 per game)/147 points against (16.3 per game)
Streaks: After starting the season 1-2, Carmichaels has rallied with six consecutive wins. In those six victories, the Mikes have compiled 286 points and have reached the 50-point plateau the last three games.
Key Wins: Week Two vs. Frazier, Week Seven at Avella
Key Losses: Week One at Jefferson-Morgan, Week Three at Beth-Center
Key Statistic: Carmichaels’ offense has carried the team in 2012, but particularly in the first halves of games. In the first 24 minutes of games this year, the Mikes have outscored the competition by a 275-64 margin. Despite the early success in games, Carmichaels has held the scoring disadvantage in the second half by an 83-59 edge.
Key Players: The Mikes catalyst on offense is tailback Josh Mundell, who has rushed for 1,088 yards (10.3 yards per carry) and 20 total touchdowns. Even though opposing defenses will key on stopping Mundell, Carmichaels has other runners in Brennan McMinn (602 yards, 10 total touchdowns) and Colton Henry (342 yards, six total touchdowns) that could hurt a defense.
Recent Playoff History: Even though Carmichaels was absent from the postseason last year, the Mikes have qualified for the playoffs in 15 of the last 16 seasons. The Mikes have had their struggles in the postseason dropping its last nine games in the first round. The Mikes has been on the road in the first round in its last seven appearances in the WPIAL’s second season.
Playoff Opponent: Sto-Rox Vikings (8-1, tied for 1st in Big Seven with Neshannock and Rochester). They average 40 points a game and allow 15 points this year.
Site Change: Instead of traveling to McKees Rocks, the Mikes will play the Vikings at North Hills High School, due to the weather.
Scouting the Opponent: Sto-Rox has been in this spot in the postseason before and brings a veteran group of upperclassmen coached by Dan Bradley. The Vikings are led by its athletic offense and its opportunistic defense.
Under center will be Lenny Williams, who has passed for over 1,500 yards this season with 19 passing touchdowns. Williams is also the team’s leading rusher with 638 yards and seven rushing scores. Other notable offensive weapons are tailback Brandon Blair (564 yards, 15 touchdowns) and receiver Ben Shackelford (32 receptions for 600 yards and seven touchdowns).
Keys to the Game: “They are very athletic and their team speed is unmatched,” Carmichaels coach John Menhart said. “Their defense creates a lot of turnovers and their offense capitalizes on those for scores. On Friday, we have to have the right attitude and just play our game. It’s no secret that we want to run the ball and possess the ball. No matter who we play, we want to be physical and have a chance to win it in the fourth quarter.”