AA "Air Show" Set For Take-Off Friday Night
#7 Park View @ #2 Sherando
Kickoff: Friday 7:00pm
Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Sherando High School
Broadcast Media: TCC Sports Game of the Week
Coverage: Starts at 6:15pm On The Gameday Radio Network At www.GamedayMagazine.com
Commentators:
Bruce Bornarth - Play by Play
Andy Hayes - Color Commentary
Tom Whipple - Pregame Analysis & Sideline
Justin Waddle - Halftime, Pregame & Engineer
STEPHENS CITY, VA - Both the Park View Patriots (10-1) and Sherando Warriors (11-0) tout a high flying offense, and strong armed quarterbacks, in senior C.J Leizear and junior Ross Metheny, respectfully. Both teams square off this Friday night, at Sherando, for the AA Region II Division 4 title, and the right to continue on, in their quest for a possible state championship. In 1st round action last week, the Patriots exacted a measure of revenge to get to this game, defeating the Broad Run Spartans 16-12, in a rematch from 7 days prior, where the Spartans were victorious, and took home the Dulles District crown. The Warriors, riding a 10-0 record, saw themselves down 14-0 to James Wood in the 2nd half, but fought back, and scored 21 unanswered points, all on the arm of Metheny, and his talented receiving corps. The go ahead score came with just over a minute left to play.
Key Match-ups
Presented By: Action Concrete Supplies of Winchester
Park View's C.J. Leizear vs. Sherando's Ross Metheny
Although Leizear garners the higher numbers between the two play callers (197 completions for 2908 yards and 29 touchdowns), Metheny, who is being looked at seriously by several Division I college football programs, can air it out, too, with the best of them...he just hasn't had to this season. With a fast, and powerful, running back tandem in Markeith Brisco and David Hoopengarner, the Warrior offense has been a balanced and potent force, and Metheny hasn't had to carry the load. But his numbers (114 passes for 1575 yards, and 17 touchdowns) are equal, relatively, to his Patriot counterpart. Let's look at the completion percentage... Metheny - 61.9%, Leizear - 57.3%. This is not to say that Leizear is a one man show. He simply has the arm, and the Park View offense is wrapped around it.
Park View's Defense vs Sherando's Offense
Brisco and Hoopengarner have combined for over 1900 rushing yards on the season and 24 touchdowns. Add Metheny's numbers and you have an offense that can hit you from any angle of the game. A defense can't concentrate on just one or two aspects. Sophomore Kenny Smith is back on a D-Line that has given up some major yards on the ground, mainly because teams were able to run away from Thomas Mulabah. With Smith back in the line-up, the line can now work to box in the running game, and not allow Brisco and Hoopengarner to get to the outside. Park View's D-Backs and linebackers will have their hands full covering many talented Warrior receivers, including Derek Crosen, Brian Barlow, and Derrick Dehaney, and still keep an eye on the backfield. Together they have combined for over 1400 yards and 19 touchdowns. If that wasn't enough cause for concern, Brisco and RB Nick Merchant will also come out of the backfield into the pass routes, on screens and swings. Look for Brandon Absher, Marcus Freeman, and Nash Cook to be busy all night. One big stat to pay attention to: The Warriors are averaging 35.6 points per game.
Sherando's Defense vs. Park View's Offense
Let's face it...everyone knows that Leizear can, and will, air it out. He attempted 348 passes on the season, and has thrown 29 touchdowns. But he also chucked 18 interceptions. The Warriors D-Line of Barlow, Joey Christine, Cephus Williams, Hunter Taylor, and Christian Loy will need to put the pressure on Leizear and force his hand. Arguably, the Patriots have not faced a more talented, and hard hitting, group of linebackers and defensive backs than the Warriors' Merchant, Hoopengarner, Crosen, Ryan Witt, and Bryan Root, and these players will need to bring their "A" game Friday night. Park View likes to flood the pass patterns with many receivers, and the Patriot front line does a very good job of keeping pressure away from Leizear long enough for him to find his open man. And just when you think you have the Patriots figured out, RB Eric Johnston gets the ball on a draw, or a screen, and oftentimes when the defensive backfield is 20 yards up field covering receivers...which, by then, is enough for a big offensive hit. Park View potency? 32.1 points per game average.
Nuggets of the Game:
Presented By: Chick-fil-A
For Sherando:
- Win The Line Of Scrimmage on Offense
- See What The Patriot D Gives You and Take It!
- Capitalize On Patriot Mistakes
For Park View:
- Limit Turnovers and Penalties
- Stop The Warrior Run Game
- Put Pressure on Metheny
- Play 4 Quarters Of Patriot Football
Breaking Down The Coaches:
Bill Hall:
Sherando High School
5th Year
Record: 43-11
Post-Season: (3-2)
The Warriors are used to winning since Bill Hall took over the program in 2003. His ability to get the most out of his talent, while keeping the egos in check, is remarkable, and this season is no exception. With 3 year starter Ross Metheny at QB, holder of several school records and an obvious Division I college candidate, Hall hasn't done what a lot of coaches would have, which is feature the QB's talents. Instead, he has developed the Warriors into a well balanced offensive machine, mixing in 3 to 4 different running backs, including Markeith Brisco and David Hoopengarner, and that is why his team stands at 11-0 going into this game. Hall's playoff record indicates that he certainly knows what needs to be done in the post-season, and gives him the edge over most other coaching staffs he faces in the "2nd Season."
Andy Hill:
Park View High School
3rd Year
Record: 24-9
Post-Season: (1-2)
After Park View's 1st post season win under Andy Hill, the monkey is now off the backs of the team and coaches. Now they have the confidence, and know they can win at the post-season level. A very dangerous thing for opposing teams, as this team already exudes a swagger the likes of a potential state title contender. Credit Hill and his staff for instilling this confidence in his Patriots. As has been said by the Gameday Staff in an array of different features and articles, Hill likes the victories, but his most important goal is making sure his players have fun, and enjoy their high school football experience. When you put this attitude into a team that is loaded with talent, the mixture congeals into success. Tune into this week's Gameday All Access to hear what Coach Hill had to say about this Friday's match-up, and about his philosophies on his coaching style.
Did You Know... Park View defensive coordinator, Mick Mullins, was once on the coaching staff at Sherando, under then 1st year coach Bill Hall? This might be one of best hidden battles of the night with Mullins and Hall knowing each other well and also knowing tendancies in play calling.
All Gameday Players To Watch
Park View Patriots
Thomas Mulabah - Defensive End (2006)
C.J. Leizear - Quarterback (2005)
Sherando Warriors
Ross Metheny - Quarterback (2006)
David Hoopengarner - Running Back (2006)
Brain Barlow - Tight End (2006)
Joey Christine - Defensive End (2006)
Derek Crosen - Defensive Back (2006)
Expert Prognostication:
The weather forecast is good news for Patriot fans, as a dry night and field will allow C.J. Leizear to air it out, early and often... Something Patriot Nation loves to watch. But, based on season stats (29 TD's vs. 18 INT's), this can either be a good thing, or a bad thing, for the senior QB. The Warriors' offense is as balanced and potent as any in the state, where if you are able to stop Markeith Brisco, QB Ross Metheny can beat you with his arm. The outcome will be a matter of which team's defense will step up, and make the big plays. With home field advantage at Arrowhead Stadium, give the edge to the Warriors. Final Score: Sherando 38 - Park View 24
Weather Forecast:
High of 45 degrees and low of 25 degrees, clear skies.
