Thursday, September 20, 2012

Game Preview - @ West Broward


GAME LOCATION UPDATE: THE GAME AGAINST WEST BROWARD WILL BE PLAYED AT EVERGLADES!!!! KICKOFF STILL AT 7PM!!! GOVERN YOURSELVES ACCORDINGLY!!

As the calendar switches from Summer to Fall, the schedule switches from non-district to district games for most teams. Like most Districts, with their longstanding traditions and heated neighborhood rivalries, District 12-8A usually delivers the type of hard hitting play that South Florida football fans have grown to love. I’m sure this season’s slate will live up to the standard of past experience.

The Miramar Patriots open their district schedule by taking on the West Broward Bobcats. The Patriots, 1-2, are aiming to capture their 4th district championship in the last 5 years. A new school founded in 2008 with only 5 wins in their short history, West Broward will play the role of David to Miramar’s Goliath in this contest.

Enough of that. Let’s look at some of the keys to victory for this game:

West Broward Bobcats (0-3, 0-0 District 128A)
The Bobcats come into this game looking to be competitive, and hoping to maybe come away with the biggest win in their school’s short history.  If their history against Miramar is any indication, that may be too tall a task for West Broward to achieve.

West Broward enters the game having been outscored 104-38 by their first 3 opponents. While they have put up 14 and 17 points against McArthur and Key West, respectively, they have allowed 27, and 43 in return (with Cooper City also adding another 34 points). Their defense lacks elite players, and they have struggled so far this season. In their previous matchup with Miramar last year, the West Broward was on the business end of a 47-0 shellacking. The hope for the Bobcats has to be to stay closer than that score.

Taking most of the headlines for the Bobcats is Senior WR/DB Keenan Thompson. A fluid 6’1” athlete, Thompson uses his physical gifts of size and speed to make impact plays. Last season against the Patriots, Thompson appeared to have the talent level to compete with Miramar. For West Broward to spring the upset, he will have to have a very, VERY big game.

Trying to get Thompson and the other skill players the ball are a pair of Senior QBs: Brendan Stedfelt and Derek Victory. These players couldn’t be more opposite: Stedfelt stands 6’2” and is a pocket passer, while Victory is 5’9. They both figure to find the field on Friday, and the Bobcats hope they can build upon their scoring success from previous games.

On defense, the Bobcats are very young. From what I’ve been able to find, they have no less than 18 Freshmen and Sophomores on this side of the ball. That kind of youth is usually seen at the JV level, but, with a new school, young players are counted on to make plays with the Varsity team. While this experience could pay dividends down the line, it figures to make for some tough times in the present.

Overall, this is a program that hopes to one day be on the level of Miramar and others of that ilk. 

Unfortunately, that day is still a ways off in the future.

Why West Broward Might Win:
The Bobcats get a couple turnovers, and some luck.

Miramar Patriots (1-2, 0-0 District 12-8A)
The Miramar Patriots look to start District competition with a win following a 13-5 loss to Northeast. I’m not going to talk about that game again, but if you want to know the full run-down, you can check out my game recap here: http://miramarsports.blogspot.com/2012/09/2012-game-recap-3-northeast.html

The Patriots still need to find a consistent rhythm and identity on offense. They are averaging 324 yards of total offense and 17.7 points per game. Those numbers are enough to keep the Patriots competitive and will hopefully help us win plenty of games this season, starting with West Broward on Friday.

Leading the passing attack is Junior QB Nick Jeanty, who has completed 70.3% of his passes, for 420 yards, with 3 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. While Jeanty’s completion percentage is very strong, his 6 interceptions are as many as he had his entire Sophomore season. Look for him to try to get on track, and in the end zone, against the West Broward defense.

The running attack is the heart and soul of the offense. Averaging 183 yards a game, and with 6 solid players who contribute, Miramar has shifted to a ground and pound team overnight, after years of spread football with 30+ passes a game.

At the top of the rotation at running back is Senior Alex Lee. Already with 300 yards and 2 TDs rushing (averaging 11.5 yards per carry), in addition to 65 yards and a TD receiving, Lee is proving his worth in multiple areas of the offense. Lee, like many others, struggled in the Northeast game. A bounce back performance would be nice to see.

Cameron Rigby was one of the few offensive players who had a strong showing against Northeast.  Already with 198 yards as the compliment to Alex Lee, Rigby should be able to find plenty of open space in the Bobcat defense.

Other players who figure to see time in the backfield for the Patriots are Juniors Khalil Lewis and Eric Pittman, Sophomore Alex Anderson, and Senior Malik Mapps as both the FB and single back.

The Receivers have done a good job so far this year, and many of them have contributed to the team’s success offensively. 11 different players have caught passes to this point of the season (although I don’t expect OT Damone Thompson to have any more catches this year). With a 9.21 yards per catch average, this group is nearly a guaranteed first down every time they get the ball. They, like their QB Jeanty, are looking for a breakout game.

Leading the 11 players who have caught a pass are Senior Sean Avant and Junior Geonte Smith. Also contributing to the passing attack are Tanares Robinson, Delano Whitehead, Khalil Webster and Kwasim West. With all that talent at receiver, it’s mildly surprising that 2 of the 3 touchdown catches have gone to running backs, with the Alexes (Anderson and Lee) each having one.

The Darkside Defense has been one of the best in the State for years, and they look to build on their already impressive track record this season. They shut down Bradenton Manatee for the better part of 3 quarters, stifled Ely for most of the night, and held Northeast to -17 yards of total offense. This unit is full of playmakers, and they figure to bring their normal championship caliber effort .

Special teams, like offense, would like to have a strong game this week. There are many players who are fighting for playing time, and they might catch the eyes of their coaches with a solid play or 2 in the 3rd phase of the game.

Why Miramar might win: The Offense gets back on track.

The Darkside defense continues to do what they do.

What to Watch for:

West Broward
How much can Keenan Thompson impact the game?
Can the Bobcats match up with a bigger, stronger team?
What elements of Coach Wagner’s gameplan will prove effective?

Miramar
Is this Nick Jeanty’s break out game?
What will Alex Lee and Cameron Rigby and friends give us in the running game?
Can the Darkside sustain their excellence?
How does the Offense rebound?


Until Next time,


Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

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