Time to hand out some hardware. Tonight, a few area teams will get trophies and a few area teams will see their seasons end. Sectional Friday is always a lot of fun and with the matchups we have, don’t expect anything different in 2020.
As we examine the keys of victory for teams, which individuals need to have big nights? OTH names five players who you should keep an eye on…
DUCE TAYLOR, NORTH SIDE (at Bishop Dwenger)
On the verge of a 3,000-yard season passing the football, Taylor is a long way from the first meeting with the Saints in Week 2. That week, though throwing for 328 yards, Taylor passed for just one score and his lowest completion percentage of the season at 42 percent. Since that time, he has had more than a single touchdown passing in 6 of 8 games and his completion percentage has been lower than 58 percent in just a single game. While North Side has gotten better across the board throughout the season, the energy that Duce and his passing brings to the field is still a leading factor in the Legends’ wins. Taylor is going to look to lead North Side to its first three game winning streak since 2013 and its first sectional crown in 30 years.
JUAN ANTONIO JARAMILLO, WARSAW (at Homestead)
The question is clear after Warsaw bullied its way by Carroll last week: who can contain the Tiger run game? It is especially difficult because they have four or five guys that can all tally major yardage. Jaramillo is at the forefront of that. He is big, he is strong and he really does bully the line. Remember that word “bully,” because Homestead is going to have to be bullies to stop Jaramillo. If he can get going, it opens things up for Warsaw. No, it isn’t going to pass to balance out his run, but the energy and confidence of this Tiger team rises when one of their leaders can just plow through defenses.
KAEDEN MILLER, LEO (vs. East Noble)
After dealing with a nagging injury, Miller is expected to be back in the Leo lineup for this meeting with NE8 rival East Noble. And just like with Jaramillo from Warsaw listed above, the Lions have fed off Miller’s success all year long. He is a power back that can move the sticks four or five yards at a time, but you don’t really see the Leo sideline light up quite like you do when he disappears into the pile up at the line of scrimmage and then pops out the other side for a long run. While Leo is known as that run and grind team, Miller is capable of the big, eye-popping plays. East Noble knows it has to slow the run, but it absolutely has to stop big plays from taking it out of things. Whether it is on the handoff or the return team, Miller can hurt the Knights badly.
SCOTTIE VANLANDINGHAM, CONCORDIA LUTHERAN (vs. Norwell)
There have been times that Norwell has shown it is susceptible to the pass and that is an area that Concordia Lutheran can try to take advantage of. The Knights are good at making changes when they have trouble matching up in the pass, but before they can do that, the Cadets should try to strike. Vanlandingham is a great target for quarterback Brandon Davis. He is long, he is quick and has a nose for the ball. As Concordia tries to reel in a sectional title, Vanlandingham is very underrated. He leads the Cadets with 22 catches for 300 yards and could break off some big plays if Concordia takes chances and tests the Norwell defensive backfield.
ALEX CURRIE, ADAMS CENTRAL (vs. Southwood)
Currie missed some time injured this season but his big game last week should remind everyone just how versatile and dangerous he is. The back can slash around some of the tougher angles and really makes defenders work to slow him down and play catch up. Southwood is unbeaten for a reason so the Flying Jets know they are going to have to be unpredictable and part of that is just letting Currie work. He has the ability to change the game in every facet, on both sides of the ball and special teams. Do not be surprised if he has another big game tonight.
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