Senior @ Sentinel (Friday)
Friday nights playoff match up brings a rematch from the second week of the year when the Spartans took on the Senior Broncs in game that found Sentinel on top 21-3. In the early season game Sentinel was able to hold the Broncs to three points despite Senior running more offensive plays and gaining more first downs.
In the playoff match up between these two Class AA powerhouses expect Sentinel’s finely tuned offensive line to control the line of scrimmage giving way to the one two punch of the Spartans quarterback and runningback. Seniors offense has been feeding off the play of their dynamic quarterback which they will rely on in order to keep Sentinels front seven on their heals. The Spartans are peaking at the right time with a polished attack from all three phases of the game which will give Sentinel the edge over Senior in order to advance to the semi-finals next week.
Loyola @ Manhattan (Saturday)
It’s going to be round two between Loyola and Manhattan on Saturday as the two teams battled the fourth week of the season, only this time they play on Manhattans field. In the first game the Tigers held the Rams at bay in the first half, not allowing a score until midway through the third quarter, giving Manhattan a 26-14 win.
The saying goes in high school football, “It’s hard to beat a team twice in a season.”, and that phrase will be tested on Saturday as the Tigers will need to rely on their running attack to wear down Loyola’s defensive line. The Rams have the experience of playing all three of the top three Class B football teams in the state this season, giving them a strong resume. The game will come down to how Loyola’s defensive line stands against the brute force of the Tigers offensive line while the Rams maintain a balanced run/pass attack.