Outside the Huddle is breaking down every area regional matchup scheduled for this Friday.
We dabble in Class 3A to break down the trip for Angola (9-3) as it heads to Merrillville to take on Andrean (11-1).
TWO STORYLINES
1. PEAKING AT RIGHT TIME
For the second-consecutive season, Angola has played its best football in the playoffs, and the result was another sectional crown and sixth in program history.
It was the defense that shined in sectional play, as the Hornets held Mishawaka Marian, Fairfield and West Noble to just 17 total points. But the challenge becomes magnified on Friday as Angola hits the road to take on perennial power Andrean, which is averaging 35 points per contest.
2. RINSE AND REPEAT
Ho hum, another sectional championship for Andrean, which has captured sectional titles in three-straight years and seven of the last eight.
But this program judges itself based on state championships, of which it has four, including last year. The only blemish on the Fighting 59ers’ season came in Week 1, a 27-21 loss at Merrillville.
The defense is stifling, with the unquestioned leader being Ethan Reyna, a commit to Purdue.
For Andrean, this is just another stop along the way to competing for state title No. 5.
FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
ETHAN REYNA, SENIOR, ANDREAN
The aforementioned Reyna is a three-star commit to Purdue and looks the part. The 6-1, 225 pounder moves around at the linebacker spot from inside to out and can impact the game in multiple ways. He leads Andrean in tackles (77), tackles for loss (11) and sacks.
Reyna is the unquestioned leader of the Andrean defense.
LANDEN BUSSARD, SENIOR, ANGOLA
Blitz truly believes that if the Hornets are to have a shot to pull the upset, it has to be able to control the clock and keep the ball away from Andrean. To do that, Angola needs to be able to run the ball. Bussard is a hard runner who may not be a burner, but he can move the chains.
Bussard has rushed for 882 yards and eight touchdowns on the year. He enters Friday averaging 4.2 yards per carry. Angola would definitely take that average against the Fighting 59ers.
DYLAN GORE, JUNIOR, ANDREAN
Gore split time at QB1 with senior Brady Elish a year ago. Gore used that experience gained to take the next step in his development as a junior.
The result? A confident and talented thrower who has amassed 2,396 yards passing and 24 touchdowns with just a single interception.
Andrean has a multitude of guys who can catch the ball and make things happen, giving Gore plenty of options in the vertical pass game. He could be in for a huge night on Friday.
NILES KNOX, JUNIOR, ANGOLA
Andrean is big and physical. Actually, they are VERY physical. Angola has few players who have the measurables of what the Fighting 59ers will put on the field on Friday.
Knox is one of those who has size, and will need to put his 6-4, 210-pound frame to work on both sides of the ball. He has been stout as a pass catcher with 22 receptions for 323 yards and four touchdowns, and he is one of the team’s defensive leaders on the edge with 94 tackles, nine tackles for loss and a team-high 4.5 sacks.
Knox needs to play big on Friday and impact the game.
KEY TO VICTORY – ANGOLA
PREVENT A SHOOTOUT
The Hornets offense is efficient, but it is not a high-scoring machine. While they have been able to pile up points against inferior opponents, better teams have found ways to slow them down.
This game can’t become a shootout for Angola to have a chance. It has surpassed the 30-point mark just three times this year, against teams that finished a combined 8-22. Andrean AVERAGES 35 points per game.
A low-scoring affair is Angola’s only real chance of pulling off a surprise victory on the road.
KEY TO VICTORY – ANDREAN
INSTILL ITS WILL
Blitz got a look at Andrean in Week 2 when it faced off against Bishop Luers. The physicality and brute force wrought on the Knights was something they never really recovered from. Luers came out of that game so bruised and battered it took nearly the entire rest of the season to return a place where it was as healthy as it was before playing Andrean.
All that is to say, the Fighting 59ers are robust and unyielding. Every hit feels like max power and effort. If the Andrean that beat up Bishop Luers is the same one that Angola will face Friday, it could be a long night for the Hornets.
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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