Now that nine weeks of the regular season are in the books for area prep football teams, it is time to look ahead to sectional play.
We continue our sectional football primers in Class A.
This could be a very interesting sectional with two teams that are the favorites that just saw each other in the regular season finale.
Let’s take a look at Class A Sectional 43 and who are the contenders and pretenders.
THE DRAW
Southern Wells (0-9) bye
Southwood (0-9) at Triton (6-3)
Blackhawk Christian (1-7) at North Miami (7-2)
Fremont (3-6) at Northfield (3-6)
THE FAVORITE
NORTH MIAMI (7-2)
On paper, it is hard to argue against North Miami, and here’s why…the Warriors defeated Triton, the only other team with a winning record in the field, in the regular season finale last week.
After suffering back-to-back losses during the middle part of the season, North Miami has looked very impressive, capturing four straight wins and doing it in convincing fashion. The Warriors average 33.8 points per game and are surrendering just under 20 points per contest.
Ryan Meredith (692 yards, nine touchdowns) can get the offense going with his legs, while, defensively, look for Braylon McIntire (four INTs) to get his name called early and often for making plays in the secondary.
North Miami has rushed for over 170 yards every game this year, while throwing just 33 times all season.
THE CONTENDER
TRITON (6-3)
The Trojans enter with three losses against quality opponents – North Judson, North Miami and Bremen.
Triton also enters without its head coach Zach Whittaker, who was let go recently following a criminal investigation. Despite losing Whittaker, Triton has talent all over the field and someone who knows the program inside and out in Rodney Younis back in the fold as head coach, a position he held from 2002-22. Adversity is known to sometimes make teams stronger, and such could be the case for Triton as it circles the wagons and looks to quiet doubters and naysayers with a sectional title.
Triton has an offense with some weapons and now is time to show what the Trojans are capable of.
THE REST
FREMONT (3-6)
The Eagles opened the season 0-3, won two games and then suffered three more losses before turning back Blackhawk Christian in the regular season finale to get some momentum heading into the sectional. Freemont is averaging 15 points per game while allowing just over 21 per contest.
Carmyne Moreno has been a constant for Fremont in the offensive backfield. He capped the regular season with a four-touchdown effort in Week 9.
NORTHFIELD (3-6)
Like Fremont, Northfield enters at 3-6 after opening the season 0-3. The Norsemen have lost two of the last three games they have played. On the season, Northfield averages 22 points and has given up 29 a game this season. Two of the losses came by six points or less.
Northfield has rushed for 25 touchdowns on the season.
BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN (1-7)
It was a very rough regular season for Blackhawk Christian, whose lone victory came against an Ohio school, the same one that the Braves earned program win No. 1 against last year.
On the year, Blackhawk scored an average of 18 points and gave up just over 39 points per game. Chip Bennett will look to get the offense going, and showed in Blackhawk’s victory he can hurt teams with his arm and legs at quarterback.
Regardless of what happens this postseason, it is a poignant moment for Blackhawk Christian as it competes in its first-ever sectional.
SOUTHWOOD (0-9)
It has been a rough go for first-year head coach Thomas Tyree as he looks to rebuild a program at Southwood. The Knights have scored seven points or less in four games and have been shutout twice. Southwood averages 15.2 points and surrenders over 31 points defensive per contest.
The Knights have struggled offensively, particularly in rushing the football, where they average just 82 yards a game on the ground.
SOUTHERN WELLS (0-9)
With a per game point differential of 50, it has been tough for Southern Wells and first year head coach Blake Blaker. The Raiders average three points and have allowed 53 per contest. Of its nine games, Southern Wells has scored seven or less three times and have been shutout five times this season, including the last three weeks.
Be the first to comment