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2005 3A Finals Preview

 

Friday Nov 25th

Manlius (Bureau Valley) (13-0) vs.Tolono (Unity)(13-0) 4pm

3A Playoff Bracket

 

Manlius (Bureau Valley)
After finishing as the runner-up last year to Driscoll in the 4A state playoffs, the Storm lost a lot of starters from that team coming into this year, including the starting QB, FB, RB, 2-LBs, 2-DBs, and several linemen. Anchoring the team this year are several Juniors who has stepped up into feature rolls.

First year head coach Dave Moore will be hoping that his play calling and team discipline will pay off where the Storm left off last year.

Overall, the team is well balanced, they have a scoring threat at more than just one position, causing defenses to focus on several aspects of the game. Whether it's pounding the ball through the middle, running on the outside, or throwing over the top of defenses.

The Storm usually run a double-wing double tight triple option on 1st down situation before going with a 4-wide shotgun on 2nd & 3rd down.

Dave Moore is in his first year as a head coach. He took over this year as Coach Kirby left to coach Herrin football. While Moore has opened up the game for BV, he's hoping that his play calling and team discipline will pay off where the Storm left off last year.

Players to watch:
-Garrett Barnes, (Jr - QB/DB 6-2 - 175). Garrett anchors a two pronged attack for the Storm. On the season he's completed 60% of his passes for 1500+ yards & 15 TD's and has rushed for 1000+ yards (6.0 yd/car) & 19TD's. As well as being an all Conference DB with 6int's on the year.

Last week vs. DuQuoin, Barnas completed 9 of 12 passing for 214 yards, rushed for 71 yards, 2 passing TD's and 2 rushing TD's. He's very shifty and quick and can run all over the field, avoiding the pass rush is something he's really good at and has been known to turn busted plays into big ones. On top of that he's got a strong arm and completing passes for 40+ yards is not uncommon.

-Nathan Black - (Jr - FB/LB 6-1 - 190). Nathan is the starting fullback and the anchor of the defense. He has gotten the tough grind-it-out yards all year long with 760 yards rushing (4.8yd/car) and 6TD's, and combined with Barnas, Nodine and Wilkinson rushing, makes the Storm offense very versatile and tough to stop. He is the leading tackler for the Storm (150 combined solo & assisted tackles) and can really deliver a blow.

-Patrick Smith - (Sr - WR 6-4 - 165). Patrick is a tall, lanky WR with great hands and overall WR instincts. His size gives him a great advantage when going up for the jump ball, he can use his body to shield away a defender if he can't out reach him. He has 780 yards (22.9yds/rec) and 8TD's on the year.

-Josh Wilkinson - (Jr - RB 6-0 160) Josh is the fastest guy on the team who plays more of a Wing-Back in the offense (along with Reid Nodine). He can hit the hole fast, breaking into the secondary and where he can turn a tackle into a foot race and become very hard to catch.

-Shawn Wager - (Sr - OL/DL 6-1 240) The only 2 way starting lineman to return from last years team. Shawn plays defensive line and is 2nd on the team in tackles and leads the team with 13 sacks. Combined with Kevin Thomas (a replacement starter on OL last year) the are the anchor of the O-Line as well.

By Nick Gerdes


Tolono (Unity)
The come into the 3A Finals with one of the states most productive running backs, Henry Deters (FB 6' 189 sr.). Deters has run for 2,864 yards & 36 TDs. His 9.1 yard average gives the Rockets something most teams don't have. A run option in the playbook for 3rd and long situations.

Deters has already placed himself 2nd on the states all time single season rushing leaders list. A spot previously held by Unity's Jonas Dees, a member of the 2000 runner-up Unity team, Deters might not be getting the press that 6A Morris' RB/S John Dergo is, Deters might see a few more accolades if he has a career day this weekend (Deters also plays safety & is just 3 pounds lighter than Dergo).

Unity's Henry Deters is currently 2nd on the states all-time single season rushing list.

The fullback Deters hasn't been single handedly putting this team in the win column, he's had a little help from QB Dane Paul, who on top of passing for 1,100 yards has also, put 968 yards up on the ground.

Linebacker Tynan Cain (6'1 203 sr.) has been the hit master on defense. With 182 total tackles Cain will be looking to add a few more by stopping Bureau's speedy QB Garrett Barnas.

by Vincent Johnson

 

 

 

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