Fairbanks quarterback Jacob Nicol picks up yardage against West Jefferson. the Panthers will travel to Northeastern on Friday.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Will Channell)
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Fairbanks’ modest two-game winning streak was derailed last week by West Jefferson.
The Panthers (3-3) will attempt to get back on that side of the ledger on Friday when they travel to Northeastern (1-5).
The Jets won their first game of the 2017 season last week when they defeated Triad, 33-21.
Northeastern will operate out of the Wing T with some double tight end sets.
“They will run with power backs, some sweep and then go with a wagel pass,” said Panther head coach Patrick Cotter.
The Jets’ offense is led by quarterback Mac Davis, who has been in the lineup for the past couple of weeks.
He is joined in the backfield by fullback Dylon Hand and wingbacks/running backs Max Queen and Nic Brown.
Northeastern has gone with a strict Wing T look since Davis has taken over as the signal-caller.
Prior to that, the Jets showed some spread formations.
Michael Burns and Tanner Stratton are the tight ends when Northeastern features them in the lineup.
“They are both large individuals,” said Cotter. “If they get ahold of you, they will block you.”
The Panthers have faced two other Wing T squads this season in Madison Plains and Greeneview.
They downed the Eagles 35-20 and fell to Greeneview, 41-14.
Defending against the formation is “assignment football,” according to Cotter.
“It’s basically (each guy) knowing his assignment,” he said. “It’s a front seven type of game. Our defensive ends (Cole Murdock, Dylan Stage and Austin Lester) have to protect our linebackers (Trevor Chippas, Charlie Scheiderer and Mason Cushman) in order to allow them to make plays.
“I think we can attack their Wing T with our 4-3 defense.”
The Jets have used 4-4 and 4-2 defensive fronts this season.
Cotter feels Northeastern will go with more of a 4-2 look in order to defend against the Panthers’ passing attack.
The Jets will want to put as much pressure as possible on FHS quarterback Jacob Nicol.
“They will blitz and attack downhill,” he said. “Their linebackers will come at you from various ways.
“They are going to try and get us off schedule,” said Cotter. “We will need to make sound decisions, catch the ball and make plays. That’s football.”
Cotter said what is most important for the Panthers is to just go back to the fundamentals.
“We just need to take a deep breath, have fun and play football the way I know we can play it.”