Outside the Huddle is breaking down every area regional matchup scheduled for this Friday.
We continue in Class 3A as undefeated Bluffton (12-0) prepares for the trip to Hamilton Heights (9-3).
TWO STORYLINES
1. CHASING HISTORY
Bluffton has already captured the Allen County Athletic Conference title for the first time since 1989, and with a win on Friday, it can end another long drought.
The Tigers have won just a single regional championship, way back in 1988. And that team didn’t even finish with a winning record (6-7).
This Bluffton team is different. It has won 12 times in 12 games, many of which have seen a running clock in the second half. It has been rarely challenged, and has been locked in each and every Friday.
It will need to be on this road trip.
2. BACK FROM THE DEAD
After dropping its Hoosier Conference opener to Logansport in Week 3, Hamilton Heights sat at 0-3 with losses to the Berries, Lapel and London High School out of Ohio.
But the Huskies have not lost since. Fueled by a 2,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher and a 1,000-yard receiver, Hamilton Heights finds itself in its first regional game since 2012.
FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
COOPER CRAIG, SENIOR, BLUFFTON
When breaking down Bluffton, if the first player you mention isn’t Craig, you have not been paying attention.
Craig is the workhorse of the offense. As he goes, so do the Tigers. The senior has rushed for 1,749 yards and 34 touchdowns this season, and has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in 11 of 12 games this year.
Strong, relentless and indefatigable (look it up), Craig is one of the area’s top players this season regardless of class.
LUCAS WHITAKER, SOPHOMORE, HAMILTON HEIGHTS
Emplacing your trust in a sophomore quarterback is a gutsy call, but Hamilton Heights coach Caleb Small made the move early in the season when he inserted Whitaker into the QB1 spot, supplanting a senior.
Whitaker has thrived as he has thrown for 2,537 yards and 29 touchdowns with four interceptions. He is also an adept runner, having picked up 277 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. Bluffton will surely respect the abilities of Whitaker and have a plan to combat him.
JOHN O’LEARY-FREEMAN, JUNIOR, BLUFFTON
While the Bluffton offense is led by seniors Craig and quarterback Axton Beste, the defensive side of the ball is laden with juniors and sophomores. In fact, the top four tacklers for the Tigers are in the Class of 2028.
Perhaps the best of the bunch is O’Leary-Freeman, who has been a force along the defensive front for Bluffton for two years now. While not physically imposing at 5-foot-11, O’Leary-Freeman plays with a grit and desire to get into the offensive backfield and create chaos. He is a sure tackler and great pursuer of the play if it goes away from him.
For the year, O’Leary-Freeman has 67 tackles and a team-high 16 tackles for loss.
WILL DESTEFANO, SENIOR, HAMILTON HEIGHTS
A two-way force for the Huskies. He is averaging nearly 20 yards per reception and is the second option in the passing game behind fellow senior Jackson Mikesell.
On defense, he has picked off eight passes on the year to go with 54 tackles while lining up predominantly at linebacker. His propensity to disrupt run and pass plays makes him one to keep an eye on Friday night.
KEY TO VICTORY – BLUFFTON
BE YOU
Bluffton doesn’t need to change anything it does for this matchup. It has a decided advantage up front, and Hamilton Heights has been susceptible to allowing points, as eight of its 12 opponents this year have scored 26 or more points.
A big night from Cooper Craig, mixed with some Axton Beste chunk plays, should provide the Tigers all they need to move on to semistate.
KEY TO VICTORY – HAMILTON HEIGHTS
GET THE BALL DOWNFIELD
As a team, Hamilton Heights has amassed over 3,000 yards through the air, an average of 255 per game. That’s a lot at the high school level.
For Hamilton Heights to capture a regional crown, Whitaker will need to be at his best behind center, with help from his wide receivers, four of whom have four or more touchdown receptions this year.
The Huskies are no stranger to shootouts, as they outscored Mississinewa in a victory to begin sectional play and did so again last week at West Lafayette. They may need to do it a third time on Friday night against Bluffton.
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
Be the first to comment