Outside the Huddle is breaking down every area semistate matchup scheduled for this Friday as teams vie for a trip to Indianapolis over Thanksgiving weekend.
We continue by looking at Class 5A where Merrillville (11-1) travels to Warsaw (9-3).
TWO STORYLINES
1. A Team of Destiny?
After opening the season 3-3, the Warsaw Tigers have been on a roll as of late, ripping off six straight wins to advance to semistate. And, while that is impressive, what may be more impressive are a pair of the wins that Bart Curtis and Co. have earned to get to this point. Warsaw knocked off No. 1 Concord 31-28, after losing to the Minutemen earlier in the season. That win gave Warsaw a Sectional 11 championship. Then last week, the Tigers flattened a very good Lafayette Jefferson squad 44-27, to capture a regional.
Throughout the season, Warsaw has been able to get it done with its unique “Bart Ball” offense and a stingy defense. The Tigers enter averaging 34 points per game and surrender 18 a contest. They will need a solid effort on both sides of the ball if they are going to pick up a victory.
The biggest intangible, however, may be the fact the Tigers don’t know the word quit. They just continue to attack and when they fall behind, they claw their way back. Can they pick up a win that few expected before kickoff for the third week in a row?
2. Can Merrillville get the monkey off its back?
Brad Seiss is a tremendous coach and has done great things during his time with the Pirates. However, there has been one glaring thing missing and that is Merrillville playing for a state championship. For the fourth time under Seiss, the Pirates are playing for a semistate championship, and the Pirates have come up short each time, including last year when Merrillville fell to Snider.
At some point that starts to wear on a coach and a program. If tonight’s game is tight, will the old ghosts that have plagued the Pirates creep back in or will this year’s installment be able to bury the past and get the monkey off its back, picking up its first spot at Lucas Oil Stadium under Seiss?
FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
Drew Sullivan, senior, Warsaw
Sullivan has been a steady hand for the Tigers this season on offense. He rushed 31 times for 311 yards and a touchdown last week and added a passing touchdown as well. Sullivan will face a test in the semi-state from a Merrillville defense that will be looking to make a statement early and often in this contest. With that said, don’t expect Sullivan to get rattled easily as he definitely has the “it” factor and will play a key role in the Tigers being able to secure a victory.
Quinton Brock, junior, Warsaw
While Sullivan may generate the bulk of the headlines, Brock is equally as talented and capable of getting into the end zone for the Tigers. Last week, Brock had a rushing touchdown, a touchdown reception, a passing touchdown and almost took a kickoff back to the house. If he can get going early, it could be a very long night for the Pirates, as he can hurt opposing teams in so many different ways once he gets the ball in his hands.
Jac’Quarious ‘JQ’ Johnson, junior, Merrillville
Johnson is absolutely dangerous if he gets past the first line of defense and into open space. He put up a clinic against Valparaiso in the regional round, running wild for 222 yards and two touchdowns, while going for just over 10 yards a carry.
Cameron Jordan, sophomore, Merrillville
Much like Johnson, Jordan is also dangerous when he has the ball in his hands, as he has shown an ability all season to find the end zone and create havoc for opposing defensive coordinators and defenses. Last week, Jordan rushed 10 times for 113 yards and two trips to the end zone.
KEY TO VICTORY – WARSAW
Stay steady
The Tigers have shown an ability as of late to just get the job done, regardless of who is across from them. Last week, Warsaw got in its own way several times against Lafayette Jeff with drive stopping penalties. Those things cannot happen this week if Warsaw is going to punch its ticket to a state championship game. When the Tigers put together scoring opportunities, they have to cash in and get points. In addition, the Tigers have to be able to tackle early and often in this game as Merrillville has the athletes to turn this into a track meet and find the end zone if not wrapped up and brought down.
KEY TO VICTORY – MERRILLVILLE
Believe
Last year is in the past, as are the other trips to the semi-state round where the Pirates came away empty handed. This is a new year with a new team and new goals, one of which is to get to Lucas Oil Stadium. The Pirates have to come out and play assignment football, and that starts up front with an extremely solid defensive front. Those guys have to come out and set the tone with physical and aggressive play. The Pirates also must get Jordan and Johnson going offensively. And, if the game is tight, Merrillville has to dig deep and believe they can get it done.
PREDICTION
Check out Blitz’s pick HERE.
Be the first to comment