Playoff Preview: Oakton vs West Springfield
Top Seed Oakton hosts Bryn Renner and The West Springfield Spartans Friday in what could be the most exciting game in the second round of the Northern Region playoffs.....Our Live Gameday Radio Coverage Begins At 7:15pm
Photo By: Dave Bernhardt / Gameday Magazine
Oakton's Trey Watts is the big play threat for the Cougars when on offense. The Spartans have to keep track of #28 at all times, or they may find themselves down for good.
Photo By: Barry deNicola / Gameday Magazine
West Springfield's Bryn Renner has put up huge numbers this season, throwing 31 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions. His play Friday will be a big factor in the outcome.....
VIENNA, VA - When the Oakton Cougars welcome the West Springfield Spartans to town on Friday night, it could result in one of the best playoff games of the Second Season.
Oakton is the top seed in the Northern Region playoffs for good reason. They have won every game this season and enter the showdown with the Spartans a perfect 11-0. West Springfield hasn't had the same type of season, but nonetheless they are where they want to be.
The Spartans are 8-3, but that record is deceiving because of a poor 0-2 start, and one game in the middle of the season when several starters were unable to play. The thing most Oakton fans should focus on is the 8 wins they do have, because those wins have featured some outstanding play on both sides of the football.
West Springfield has one of the best quarterbacks in the country in the talented Bryn Renner (UNC Commit). Renner has thrown 31 touchdowns this season and run for another 8. He has tossed the ball around the yard for more than 2,700 yards, and amazingly has thrown just 3 interceptions.
Oakton will have its hands full, but every time we have doubted the Cougars, they have more than impressed us with a thumping of a good football team. The Cougars have more than a few big play threats themselves in tailbacks Trey Watts and Jonathan Meadows. Quarterback Chris Coyer has thrown for nearly 1,000 yards and rushed for nearly 1,000 yards, accounting for 19 touchdowns along the way.
Oakton has one of the best core of linebackers in the region with Joey McCallum, Jack Tyler, and Kevin Culkin. Where they have shown some vulnerability though is in pass defense. Robinson, Chantilly, and Westfield all found some plays down the field in the passing game, and that has to be a major concern for head coach Joe Thompson with Renner coming to town.
The one thing you have to say about Oakton is the fact that they do what it takes to win. Making big plays when it matters most has been the storyline of their season, and they will need that storyline to continue on Friday night. Let's take a look at how this one breaks down.
KEYS TO VICTORY:
FOR OAKTON:
Get Trey Watts The Football Early and Often
Pressure Bryn Renner On Every Play
Win The Time Of Possession Battle
FOR WEST SPRINGFIELD:
Take Advantage Of Scoring Opportunities
Don't Give Up The Big Play To Watts, Coyer
Win the 2nd Half
KEY MATCHUPS
Oakton Defensive Backfield vs West Springfield 5-Wide Offensive Set
This is the most intriguing match-ups in this game because this is where the Spartans hold an advantage. West Springfield has speed on the edge at receiver, and a great possession receiver in Andy Stallings. In addition, if Oakton tries to just focus in on the passing attack, the Spartans have a talented tailback in Brandon Bailey. If they aren't afraid to give Bailey the ball 15 to 20 times in this game, it will make it really difficult on Oakton's defense. The key to a win for West Springfield is not turning the ball over. They have to score at every opportunity, and they also can't put their defense on the field too long. The Cougars will be on their heels in this match-up all night long, and the Spartans hold the advantage when they are on offense...Advantage... West Springfield
Oakton Offense vs West Springfield Defense
The Cougars are prolific on offense because of their versatility in their passing and running schemes. Coyer is the key to Oakton's offensive locomotive, and Trey Watts is the guy he turns to when things are sputtering. If West Springfield doesn't get these two to the ground quickly, the Cougars will roll up big numbers in this game. I'm not impressed with how West Springfield has played defense against the better teams this season, but they have played well at times. The key is, which Spartan defense will show up on Friday? Even if they do get a solid performance from their defense, the Cougars hold the advantage in this match-up because of their ability to control the clock by running the football.......Advantage....Oakton
EXPERT PROGNOSTICATION:
I think every Cougar fan is a little nervous about this game, and for good reason. Renner and crew are downright scary. Oakton could score 40 points in this game and it still might not be enough, and that makes every coach nervous. However, Oakton's defense has answered the call this season, and West Springfield's defense hasn't against quality opponents. If the Spartans had a top flight defense to go along with their offense, they would be a serious state title contender, but that hasn't shown to be the case this season. If West Springfield scores 40, the Cougars will score 60 in this one. I think Oatkon can also get to Renner more than other teams with their aggressive linebackers. Look for plenty of pressure packages from the Cougars to disrupt the Spartan offensive attack. With that being said, I'm not one that would be surprised to see the Spartans pull the upset based on how dynamic their offensive attack is. However, I will hold true to my belief that defense wins championships, and Oakton is more sound on that side of the ball.......Oakton 48 - West Springfield 35
