 |
| Clay Countys stellar defense has only given up 45 points all season. Photo: Bill Wilson. |
From listening to Cedar Bluff head coach Steve Smith and Clay County boss Danny Horn, youd think they broke down films together this week.
While the entire state is all a buzz about Cedar Bluffs high-powered offense going against Clay Countys stout defense, the two head coaches are both going in the complete opposite direction together.
Both believe this game will come down to the Panthers offense against Cedar Bluffs defense.
I may be wrong, Horn said. But its going to come down to whether or not our offense can move the ball on them.
And Smith agrees, with something to add.
I dont think they get the credit they deserve, he said of Clay Countys offense. Theyre good.
When youve only given up 45 points on defense all season, its hard to direct the attention anywhere but to that unit. But numbers alone can back up Smiths statement.
As a team, Clay County has rushed for nearly 4,000 yards (3,859) and more than 50 touchdowns.
And the way Horn is calling it, his offensive unit may mean more than his defensive guys in this matchup.
Weve talked about it a lot this week, how we need to keep the ball, Horn said. We need to keep it so they dont have it.
But when we keep it, we need to score, too. A six-minute, 6-yard drive is good, but its not worth a lot if you dont score.
Not that Horn would know a lot about drives that dont end in touchdowns. His squad has only punted 14 times all season and lost 18 fumbles, averaging out to just a little more than two stalled drives per game.
Cedar Bluffs defense looks to be ready for the challenge. Gone is the defense that gave up 70-plus points in last years playoffs. And gone, too, is the Tiger defense of the regular season.
Cedar Bluff has turned it up a notch come playoff time.
One week before the playoffs started, Cedar Bluff gave up 500 yards to Class 2A Gaston. Smith calls the game, one of the worst defensive performances in the last couple of years.
He cant exactly put his finger on the real change in the squad from Week 10 to Weeks 11 and 12, but hes not complaining.
I dont really know what happened, Smith said. Theres only two things that can happen after a loss like that right before the playoffs. It can either ruin you for the playoffs, or you can be a mature ballclub and use it and learn from it.
Though both coaches think the game will come down to the matchup other than the one everyone is talking about, the fans favorite is likely to have some effect.
I dont see any visible weakness, Smith said of Clay County. Theyre a joy to watch, in the way they run to the ball, play technique, gang tackle, cover kickoffs just everything.
While Clay County may be a joy to watch, Cedar Bluffs high-octane passing attack is what packs the seats. And its been a kind of offense the Panthers havent seen too much of this season.
The quarterback (Cole Peace) is good, Horn said. (Josh) Moten is good, that other receiver (Adam Wickham) can catch, too. And that running back (Mark Clifton) can fly.
We just havent seen those kind of teams like them that can throw the ball the way they do.
Clay County opponents have attempted 163 passes this season, completing just 56. Thats far below Peaces completion percentage. Going into the game Peace is 96-of-180 passing for 2,041 yards, and Horn points out that his touchdown-to-interception ratio, not really knowing exactly what it is, has to be strong.
But just like Smith noted that Clay Countys offense is overlooked, Horn points out one bunch for Cedar Bluff that is slighted, yet amazingly hard to overlook.
Dadgum, Horn started, Their offensive line is huge.
And numbers are there to back that statement up, too.
Holdings down the tackles are senior Lance McCullough (6-foot-4, 315 pounds) and Brandon White (6-2, 280). Guards sophomore Josh Hampton (6-0, 220) and T.J. Henderson (5-11, 265) and center Brian Hawk (6-2, 275) a new starter. Hawk is replacing 6-6, 265 Adam Weaver.
When youre as big as they are, Horn said, itll take you a second or two just to get around them, (even if the defensive player is not blocked). | 