Marysville’s Matt Krutowskis picks up yardage through a hole created by the offensive line against Olentangy. The Monarchs will host Delaware Hayes on Friday for the opening round of the Division I state playoffs. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)
There really wasn’t much guessing over the past number of weeks about Marysville High School’s football playoff status.
It was generally known the Monarchs (9-0) were going to be ranked No. 1 in Region 2 of Division I.
It was also fairly certain they would host a first-round playoff game this Friday at 7 p.m.
Everyone just had to wait and officially fill in the blank about which team would be the No. 16 seed and would travel to Monarch Stadium for the game.
That first-round opponent doesn’t have very far to travel as it will be Delaware Hayes (3-7).
The Pacers will show multiple offensive formations.
“We’ll see the spread with the shotgun and a Pro-I with the quarterback under center,” said MHS head coach Brent Johnson. “We will see iso and power trap and will also have to watch for their wagel passing game.”
The top player on the team is an athletic quarterback in Austin Dowell.
One of his top passing targets will be tight end Aiden Boeriu.
The Pacers, however, will look to establish their running game in order to open passing lanes.
The bulk of the ground attack is handled by Wyatt Kirtland.
“He’s a bigger type of back with decent speed,” said Johnson.
The top chore for Marysville’s standout defense will be to recognize Hayes’ different formations.
“If they’re in the spread, we have to be quick with the attack,” said the Monarch boss. “When they are in the Power-I, we have to be ready for more of a power and counter game.
“We’ve done a good job of finding other teams’ tendencies,” he said. “Our guys know what’s coming at them.”
Delaware has tallied 171 points through 10 games.
They will have to advance the ball and score against a stingy Monarch defense that has yielded a mere 58 points and posted a pair of shutouts through nine games.
The 13 points scored by Olentangy last Friday marked only the second time an opponent has reached double figure scoring against Marysville. The other time came during MHS’ 21-14 overtime verdict over Hilliard Darby.
The Pacers have employed both 3-4 and 4-4 defensive fronts this fall.
They have surrendered 281 points.
“I think we’ll see more of a 3-4 look,” said Johnson. “I also think they’ll walk up and give us a five-man front to stop our running game.”
That may be a Herculean task for Delaware Hayes.
Marysville has averaged 270 yards rushing with a variety of backs having put together solid games.
The MHS rushing attack is handled by Colton and Gabe Powers, Griffin Johnson and Matt Krutowskis.
Marysville has averaged 32 points per outing.
“Dalton Allen is a very good defensive lineman, while Toby Bohrer and Gavin Shears are good linebackers,” said Johnson.
The Monarch coach said his offensive unit will have to clean up penalties it suffered against Olentangy.
MHS lost 30 yards on six total infractions during the game..
“We had some false starts and mixed up alignments that we have to work on this week in practice,” said Johnson.
“Our offense will also have to be balanced both inside and out,” he said. “That way, we will make Delaware defend us for the entire field.
“In order to win, we will also have to start fast and play hard for 48 minutes.”
The Monarch coach said the top seed in the region and a No. 2 ranking in the final two Associated Press Division I state polls is the culmination of a lot of hard work.
“We’ve been working on this for five years,” he said. “Our goal has also been to be better each year and we’ve taken a lot of steps toward that.
“We tell the seniors every year they should feel they’ve left the program better than they found it,” said Johnson.
The Monarchs celebrated their first unbeaten regular season since 2000 for a little bit Friday night.
“We were very happy about that, but when the guys came in to watch film and lift on Saturday, they were locked in to what is ahead,” said Johnson.
“That’s what I love about this group,” he said. “They haven’t been reading their ‘press clippings’ and realize and are humbled by the fact there is still a lot of work to do.”
Two years ago, the Monarchs made the state playoffs and lost in the opening round to Springfield by a 23-0 count.
A year ago, they beat Dublin Jerome, 35-14, during the opening round and then fell to Northmont, 48-41 in what many have said was one of the most exciting MHS football games in recent years.
What will 2021 bring?
Time will only tell.