Outside the Huddle is breaking down every area regional matchup scheduled for this Friday.
We look to Class 2A as undefeated Eastside (11-0) plays host to Wheeler (11-1).
TWO STORYLINES
1. RUNNING HOT AND HEAVY
Wheeler wants to win one way, by running junior Levi Murray down opponents’ throats.
It sure has worked for the most part, with the Bearcats’ only loss coming Week 9 at Griffith. Outside of that blemish, Wheeler has not really been tested while averaging 40 points per game.
Murray is the centerpiece. He has rushed for 2,281 yards and 40 touchdowns on the season. His rushing averages (nine yards per attempt, 190 yards per game) are ludicrous. He has scored three or more touchdowns in all but one game – the aforementioned loss to Griffith.
This team goes as Levi Murray goes.
2. TANDEM ATTACK
Wheeler has one guy, Eastside has two.
The duo of senior Job Richman and junior Noah Dove has been unstoppable all year long, as they have combined for 2,871 yards and 47 touchdowns on the ground.
Richman can throw if need be, as he has thrown for seven touchdowns on the year, but the Blazers go as the the dynamic duo goes in the running game.
Dove sat out last week’s game against Rochester as he nursed an injury, and Eastside still won 42-0 over Rochester. He is expected to be back for this one and ready to face a defense allowing just eight points per game.
FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
LEVI MURRAY, JUNIOR, WHEELER
Yeah, let’s talk more about Murray.
His 6-foot, 180-pound frame is capable of delivering some serious punishment, and he is very quick in the open field. He put up 355 yards against Knox last week and scored all five of Wheeler’s touchdowns in their 35-0 blanking of Rensselaer Central in the sectional semis.
Murray is a force to be reckoned with.
JOB RICHMAN, SENIOR, EASTSIDE
What is amazing is just how many of the Blazers’ top players are juniors. Richman, though, is the senior leader of an offense that is averaging over 300 yards per game on the ground.
Richman is a seasoned veteran in the Eastside offense and is very proficient at running it. And when you throw Dove in the mix, defenses almost have to pick their poison.
CONNER WELCH, SENIOR, WHEELER
Wheeler is very active with its outside linebackers, with Welch one of the best on a defense with a nice mix of juniors and seniors.
You can’t miss Welch on the field, as he towers over those around him with his 6-foot-5 frame. A forward on the basketball court, Welch has good footwork and great acceleration and finishing ability.
Welch is second on the Bearcats with 13 tackles for loss to go with a team-high six sacks.
TY SEBERT, JUNIOR, EASTSIDE
One of the multitude of underclassmen that see significant playing time for Eastside on defense, Sebert leads the team in tackles (116), tackles for loss (19) and sacks (four).
As much of a heat-seeking missile as he is a linebacker, Sebert finishes with authority and is seemingly always around the ball. He can get into the backfield and create havoc or he can drop back and lurk at the second level of the defense. Sebert is the complete package as a linebacker.
KEY TO VICTORY – WHEELER
MAKE EASTSIDE ONE DIMENSIONAL
Sounds easy enough, right? It isn’t. Eastside has punished opponent after opponent with its run game. The offensive line is big, physical and technically sound. Only one team has really tested Eastside so far – Adams Central way back in Week 2. In that game, AC was able to stymie the Blazers at the point of attack and disrupt the running lanes for Richman and Dove. Wheeler will need to do something similar on Friday.
While Wheeler has held opponents to an average of eight points per game, its strength of schedule left something to be desired with the Greater South Shore Conference having a down year. But strength of schedule matters none on the field.
KEY TO VICTORY – EASTSIDE
RUN, RUN, RUN
As mentioned above, Eastside is averaging over 300 yards per game on the ground. If it eclipses that number on Friday, it wins, plain and simple.
The Blazers have consistently made smaller and less physical defenses look silly when trying to defend its rushing game. A line of maulers up front has paved the way for the likes of Dove, Richman and others all season long.
If the trend continues, Eastside wins with relative ease.
PREDICTION
Coming Friday when Blitz makes his regional picks.
These opinions represent those of Blitz and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Blitz on Twitter at Blitz_OTH
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