Erie will be using the SJP blueprint to beat PCCFor the PR guys : Btw , PCC has lost 4 starters, already. I anticipate a severe challenge for my Vikings on Friday in Erie versus Cathedral Prep last year's PIAA Quad A state champs. The word is they have more seasoned talent than Central. I 'll be there in the flesh.
Erie will be using the SJP blueprint to beat PCC
Does that means throw the ball?. When I see some of the local teams line up and try and pound PCC, it just doesn't make sense to me. Even in "down" years, they will still have studs in the front 7. But running does keep the clock moving and minimizes the chance for a blowout (See PR's 63-34 loss to PCC in the playoffs last year as an example of that.)
SJP was an interesting team on defense last year too. They weren't nearly as big as PCC but executed the game play the way every WPIAL team needed to. IIRC, from watching the game, they really had only 1 DL over 260 and played with a bunch of smaller and extremely quick DEnds and LB and just ran downhill and through the gaps, stuffing the run, and forcing PCC to throw the ball.
32 games in 2 seasons or in 18 months is too much for most high school teams .
Wilson started to that in the prior game and Central couldn't block it. St Joe's saw that, And did exactly as you describe up above. Beside that Central had a bad week of practice with 4 starters being suspended for a day. They (players and coaches) were physically and mentally exhausted or at least that's what a coach told me. 32 games in 2 seasons or in 18 months is too much for most high school teams and it definitely was for PCC. They won it the year before and no doubt were embarrassed by a St Joe's team that wanted it more and it showed.
Let us know how PCC looks against prep.
Btw I don't think burns will be playing against Wayne, I hear he should be good for Lebo the next week. Watching film on Wayne there offensive line looks like a weak point, there big but it looks like they're very inexperienced. Just what it looks like to me. Also anouther interesting thing is that PR's defense will play spread offenses the first 4 games of the season. It will be interesting to see how coach k sets them up for that.
Let us know how PCC looks against prep.
Btw I don't think burns will be playing against Wayne, I hear he should be good for Lebo the next week. Watching film on Wayne there offensive line looks like a weak point, there big but it looks like they're very inexperienced. Just what it looks like to me. Also anouther interesting thing is that PR's defense will play spread offenses the first 4 games of the season. It will be interesting to see how coach k sets them up for that.
Jurkovic Was a star . He is every bit as good as advertised.Pine-Richland will be the West winner easily by what the demonstrated Sunday. Their receivers are fast and catch everything. Good defense as well. Overall I was surprised at how easily they scored . Too bad Penn State didn't get Jurkovic.That was by far the most dominant performance I've seen P-R play - ever. I've not been her forever, but did see the 2014 team. If their defense can keep improving, their offense will only get better. Then watch out.
They won't play anyone with the athletes in the secondary that Wayne had either.
I thought another interesting aspect of the game was that it seemed like there were very few called QB runs. Maybe 3 or 4. He scrambled some, but few designed runs. Very different from last year when QB was only part of the run game that worked against good teams.
Also, the comment about the speed at which P-R plays is very true. They were flying on offense. Wayne DL could even get in stances. Secondary was late getting lined up.
I can't believe P-R's defense - having those kids play one-way looks like it made a huge difference those two LB's were crushing people.
I think if PR stays healthy for the most part they walk with the wpial championship and to the state title. To dominant in all phases of the game. They played yesterday like a team peaking in mid season form. Defense was flying around hitting people and making tackles. The secondary shutdown Wayne's passing game (which featured a 5 star Ohio state commit, held to 28 yards on 3 catches). That was the best defensive performance I've ever seen them do. If they play like that and they're scoring almost 40+ in a half they will be impossible to beat. Only thing I think needs cleaned up are some of the dumb penalties, buts that mental and fixable. Hopefully white is good to go soon he's a force on both sides of the ball.
Post game, Wayne's head coach Jay Minton.
I have known Jay for a long time and he is always 100% about the kids and has the following philosophy. "players win games, coaches lose games"...
Some comments about the game (paraphrasing....)
How did you feel about the game?
Disgusted and angry.... disgusted by the performance as that was not how a Wayne program plays... angry at myself for not preparing the team better for this game.
With returning just 3 starters on both side of the ball did the inexperience factor in?
That would just be an excuse. There is a very high expectation at Wayne and maybe I put too much pressure on the kids. This is a different group of kids from the team that went 37-2 over the last 4 years in the regular season.
Did the Fire Alarm at 4 AM Sunday morning and the players having to walk down 23 flight of stairs have any impact on the luck luster performance?.
No, I hope not, These are young kids it should not have phased them. Pine Richland is a great team and they had some to do with our performance and they should compete for a state title. Their QB was one of the best I have seen in my 36 years of coaching...
This is your 20th year at Wayne, should anything be named after you?
(laughing) yes, a urinal... I am sure there are a lot of people wanting to piss on it and I would be the first in line....
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Wayne had a team meeting on Monday to refocus and to see what direction this team wants to go. They came out fired up and can't wait to head back out on the road to take on Ol-Liberty (1-0) [finished 13-1 last season). Friday night. Unlike PA, every game counts in Ohio and this will almost be a must win for Wayne.
If anyone likes I could keep you updated each week on how Wayne does during the season.... otherwise, goodbye it was nice talking to you guys and the best of luck on your season.
Even before Burns, I was already very impressed with their DB's. They locked up the outside WR's even after White got hurt. I think Goltz and Falcone (#4 and #5 I thought) did a very good job, mainly because I didn't notice Wayne's #1 do anything. .
I was not going to mention this since it sounds like an excuse but #1 L. "Blue' Smith got banged up in the scrimmage last week and during pre-warmups at the PR game tripped by the Wayne bench and went down. He has also been under the weather and was vomiting. Not sure if you noticed while at the game but he was not warming up but sitting on the bench.
Looks like the weather will be bad for Fridays game at Olentangy Liberty.....
They defense was on the field for 100 plays. White was out. Burns went out at the half with an injury. CBs were struggling.
Huber Heights Wayne made the 90 minute trip to Olentangy Liberty tonight. Liberty finished 13-1 last season, return a bunch, and was ranked in the top 10 in Ohio.
Wayne came away with the win winning 17-0 as the Warrior defense dominated the game holding Liberty to just 62 total yards. Wayne managed 382 yards of offense but had numerous penalties and a couple of frustrating dropped TD passes that kept the score close. Wayne plays Clarkson North at home this week. Wayne is very tough at home....
How did PR do?
Makes you wonder how bad the competition is in Ohio if Wayne shut them out. That was not a good team. One with a lot of weaknesses. I'm pretty sure they would lose 4-5 games in PRs conference