“We know what’s going to be coming at us for 60 plays,” said Fairbanks head football coach Patrick Cotter. “Now, can we stop it?”
That was the sentiment expressed by the Panther boss earlier this week as FHS (1-1) prepares to travel to Jamestown Greeneview (2-0) on Friday.
The Rams don’t leave an opponent guessing what they will do. It’s just that they’re pretty good at disguising things.
“They only run about five plays,” said Cotter. “However, they’re going to run them out of about 50 different formations.”
Greeneview likes to keep the ball on the ground with time-consuming drives that feature jet sweeps, inside iso plays and counters.
“Maybe three or four times a game they’ll go up top,” said Cotter. “They’ve averaged more than 300 yards rushing per game and have only thrown nine or 10 passes so far.”
The Rams are led by quarterback Nick Clevenger, who actually gives them an extra running back on the field.
Jacob Green and Griffin Mangan are also dangerous ball carriers. Tyler Robinette can pick up yardage with the counter.
“Their offensive line isn’t huge, but those guys are physical,” said Cotter. “They average between 190 and 220 pounds and are proto-typical Wing T linemen who come off the ball well.”
To combat the Rams’ ground attack, the Panthers plan on switching between four and five-man defensive fronts.
“Our defensive line has to win this football game for us,” said Cotter. “They have to protect our linebackers and let them run to the ball.”
The Panthers’ four main D linemen are Cole Murdock, Robbie Grose, Billy Reed Bodey and Dylan Stage.
When FHS goes to five men on the line, that quartet will receive help from either Tyler Beem, Dakota Key, Sam Rengert or Isaac Hornsby.
“We’ll switch between a four and five-man front to give them something different to look at and try to keep them off-balance,” said Cotter. “It’s going to be an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ defense. We have to attack their running backs and get them on the ground.”
Greeneview will employ a 3-4 defense. The linebackers are aggressive and will blitz a bit from the inside.
Cotter feels FHS’ passing attack, led by quarterback Jacob Nicol, can exploit Greeneview’s secondary.
“I think their defensive backs will leave us a little space,” he said. “I think we can attack them.
“We have to do what we do best and that’s play up-tempo and let our athletes be athletes.”
Cotter said the key to victory is not complicated.
“We have to be the most physical football team on the field on both sides of the ball,” he said. “We have to tackle well and not let them control the clock with their running game.”