In a game whose top six linebackers weigh a combined 1,295 pounds, you can expect some hitting. In a game with running backs who bring it just as hard…well, hang on to your hats and bolt down anything you don’t want getting knocked out of the atmosphere, this is going to be a bruiser. We’ve already broken down the passing game and the offensive/defensive lines—now we’re going to show you perhaps this game’s most important matchup, between the running backs and the linebackers. Of course, the previous articles will factor into these, too, but for now we’ll just focus on these positions—by the way, Lakewood’s LBs have a nine-pound advantage, 653 to 642.
Poly’s Rushing Attack vs. Lakewood’s Linebackers
The two-headed monster of Melvin “Boom Boom” Richardson and Daveon “Burner” Barner will see most of the action for the Poly attack, on the ground and perhaps through the air as well. As it has been all year: as the running game goes, so go the Jackrabbits. In the offensive and defensive line preview we mentioned that the Lakewood line would need to stop the big play when these two shifty runners bounce it outside—the linebackers will need to make sure neither Richardson nor Barner can find a corner, a tough task when facing either runner. Finding the corner is what they do best, and it’s why they’ve both rushed for over 1,000 yards this season, and have a combined 24 TDs. The per-carry average here might not be that important—especially with Richardson, he’s tended to score long touchdowns even when teams are stopping him for the most part.
If the Lakewood line does its job of plugging holes and surrounding the Poly runners, the linebackers will be ready to make plays. The Red Swarm is really just another name for Trevor Erno and his fellow linebackers. The most active unit in the league this year, the Lakewood linebackers will have to hit Richardson and Barner hard when they get a chance, while still making sure not to over pursue. Erno’s hard hitting helped to shut down Mission Viejo last week, and while Poly’s not likely to crumple quite as easily, it would help the Lancers’ cause if they can lay the lumber hard enough to disrupt the well-oiled Poly machine.
Don’t be surprised if we see some “wildcat” or “no quarterback” formation from the Jackrabbits. The Lancers are ready for it since they’ve seen the Poly tape from the last few weeks, but if third-down back Cory Westbrook gets a little daylight, the Lancer backers could be doing more swarming than they’re used to.
Watch for: Justin Utupo. The Lakewood defensive wild card will line up anywhere on the field. When he lines up in the three-point stance on the outside, he will be responsible for stopping Richardson/Barner from bouncing it outside. Utupo also lines up with the backers and can charge into the backfield from any direction. If the Poly offensive line can’t find Utupo, he’ll be able to find the Poly running backs.
Lakewood’s Rushing Attack vs. Poly’s Linebackers
The Lancer running game has been the Achilles heel in their only two losses. Keep in mind, though, that in both of those games Lakewood used a fourth and fifth string running back. That will not be the case on Friday. If you don’t know (and frankly, we’d be surprised if you didn’t), Jerry Stone is back and tearing up the playoffs. Stone has 447 yards of total offense and five TDs in his first two playoff games, showing that he’s just warming up for postseason play. Behind him, scat back Tawaun Lucas and sophomore sensation Alley Long will get the ball in a variety of different ways, and when they do, both have game-breaking ability. Lucas was the only bright spot in the running game the first time these two teams played, with a 35-yard carry. Remove that play, and the Lancers managed just 9 yards on 20 carries.
Obviously, Stone’s return should up that average significantly—but Poly’s linebackers haven’t gone anywhere. Leading the corps is George Daily-Lyles, a sure-tackling wide-armed man in the middle, and he’s backed up by Kenny Tuiloma, who likes to hit the way little kids like JELL-O. Matt Jones has proven an ability to come up with the big play, and had a forced fumble in their first playoff game against Bishop Amat that led to the Poly win.
Like the Lakewood defense, the Poly linebackers will have to stay honest. If they guess run and it’s pass, Scroggins and Stone will make them pay. As with Erno and crew, the level of contact these guys can bring has the potential to swing momentum. If they can drill Stone and Scroggins early and often—and these LBs, especially Tuiloma, will get after the QB—they might have an enormous role in deciding the outcome.
Watch For: The Lakewood end-around play. The Lancers like to bring the slot receiver in motion into the backfield. From there, they can take it around the end, or turn back and run a counter. The Lancer’s biggest play from scrimmage in the first half of the first game against Poly (the play to Lucas) was one of those plays. The Poly linebackers will need to read and react faster than they did in the second half against Esperanza last week, or they may not be able to keep Stone in front of them.