Big Games Week 9 Trinity/Lebanon and Monadnock/Laconia -

Two really big games this weekend. First the Heavyweight Title fight as Lebanon travels to Trinity. Both teams are at 8-0. They have defeated the same teams. Both squads have shown that they can come from behind to win games. Trinity did this when they played Laconia and came from behind to win it with minutes to go.

The other big game is Monadnock hosting Laconia. - If you look at their records, Laconia is riding a 4 game win streak, they are healthy (mostly) and come to Monadnock having already clinched a playoff spot. The Huskies need this win. They are riding a 3 game winning streak and their All State running back Blake "the Bus" Bolewski is frankly in a zone. Coming off a huge 6 TD 200+ yard performance last week, the Huskies will need a workman-like game from him this week again.

So, let's try to break this down if we can.

GAME 1

Trinity vs. Lebanon -

Pioneers - Offensively the Pioneers hold an edge here. They have the #1 Offense in the league by far. Their Offensive line will methodically fire off the line of scrimmage as they patiently move the ball down the field and chew up the clock. The end result of this is less time for the opposing offense to be on the field leaving no room for 3 and outs when their opponents get their chance with the ball. In this Division, this effect is compounded by the fact that most teams have the bulk of their players clocking time on both sides of the ball, causing frustration and fatigue to become a major factor...especially late in the game. Defensively they are just (if not more) difficult to deal with. That same line is so big and strong, they simply clog up gaps in the line and makes running inside a trial of monumental proportions. Their linebacking core is quick and hard hitting and is, in my opinion second only to their opponent this week. Ultimately, as they have shown all season long, this is not an easy team to come from behind on..backed up by the fact that no one has done it yet this year. They get up on teams and keep the pressure on throuout. We've all heard the names before: Chambers, Hughes, Hoeglund, Gratiano, Lauderdale, Leonard, Masuku, and Goldstein should and will be All State considerations.

Lebanon - A surprise to some teams this year, the Raiders come into this game 2nd in Offense and 1st in Defense (albeit by a small margin). In as much as Trinity's line is big, Lebanon's is by no means small. They are fundamentally rock solid in what they do. They open holes for their backs and get to the second level to lock down linebackers. The end result of this is their potential for the big play. Lebanon has the best rb in the state in Cody Patch. He is having another All State caliber year and will hit holes quickly and simply makes defenders miss tackles. He has a second gear and if you don't wrap him up, when he sees daylight , he will take the ball to the house. From the Defensive side of the ball, the Raiders simply get it done. Their defensive backs are so fast, they almost dare you to throw on them. They tackle well and hit with a vengeance. Their Linebacking core is fast on the outside and punishing in the middle and is again imo, the best in the league. Their D Line while by no means small, is very fast and if they get hands on, will make the tackle. You've also heard the names before: Patch, Barker, Drew, Roth, Geno, Morrill, Judd, Henry will all be All State considerations this year.

The Game:

Trinity -

Offensively, the keys to the game for Trinity will be whether or not they can impose their will at the line of scrimmage in the same way they've been able to do to other teams all year long. If they can, it will be a very long day for Lebanon. Their running backs have been putting big numbers up behind their blocking this season and they are looking for this continuity to repeat itself Saturday night. They typically run out of a tight A formation double wing set, so, if the Lebanon Defense sits back or out wide on them, they will march up the field taking chunks of yardage at a time, play by play.

Defensively - Stop the big play. They will drop some bombs on the backs and this defense knows how to tackle. The key for them is not to give up the big play. Lebanon as 2 similar backs in Patch and Barker, they can make you miss and really either one can break the big play if you don't finish the tackle. Their full back (Drew) is big, strong and is a punishing runner but will look to run you over rather than go around you. Wrap up and pursue the play, especially when they go outside. Lastly, don't ignore the pass, while they aren't necessarily a throwing team, Roth is very accurate and has shown the ability to go deep and mid-range with precision this year.

Special teams - Don't give up the big one. If anything has, this has been a sore point for Trinity this year. Mistakes on special teams almost cost them a game they otherwise dominated, at Laconia.

Lebanon -

Offensively, the keys to the game will be patience...and your Defense. You will have a game plan and will have no doubt done your homework. Stick to it. The battle in this game will be on the line. Chew up yardage and the clock with sustained drives. If this happens, the Trinity Offense will be off the field and subsequently will not be testing your defense. If Lebanon's lineman rise to the occasion, this can happen. Also, I think it will be key to keep the score close or get up on Trinity early. Teams have not been able to score all that often on the Trintiy D. Show that you can move the ball consistently against the Pioneers D (even if the end result is not a score). Don't worry about the big play and it will come. Get your dangerous backs into space where they can make plays.

Defensively - Bring it. You're on the road, in the biggest game your school has seen (possibly ever). That is until next week :) Shake the nerves quickly, as this Offense will not give you opportunities to "get off the bus". Be ready and know your assignments and do what you've done all year. Make plays. The D Line doesn't have to control the line of scrimmage here. Again IMO, they need to create chaos at the line, get penetration, read blocks and hit gaps to  disrupt plays. Make their runners change direction and dance and you're speed will win the day. Lastly, get off the field. Get stops early and get your offense the football.

This game is tough, it could be a close tight game...or it could be another blowout. My guess is that it's going to be a nasty dogfight. These 2 teams are coming to this game expecting to win. They expect to play each other in 2 1/2 weeks for the championship. Either way, I can't wait for Saturday night.



GAME 2

Monadnock hosting Laconia - a match up that could determine a playoff birth for the Huskies. Win and your in 3rd place, lose and (I think) your out due to the 3 way tie break rules with Kennett and Plymouth (assuming they both win this weekend). Kennet would then slide in as the 4th seed. That said let's talk:

Laconia - Offensively they're clicking. Riding a 4 game win streak coming into this game, they're hitting their stride. Steele is back, Jake Holmes  and along with the emergence of sophmore David Mahoney, they have more than ample weapons on offense. Their line is big and physical and able to move the defense off the ball. They run the counter very effectively  and if they get through to the second level their backs have break away speed. They are mainly a power running team who will look to smack you in the mouth and step on you as they make their way to the end zone. Defensively, they stack up well with most teams in D IV. They are tough up the middle with big Raige Hollis off the nose and Doran Logsdon at ILB. Holmes, Steele, Mahoney and Mahoney (not the law firm, we are referring to Billy Mahoney) will also go both ways. Holmes will roll coverage with the best of them as a DB. This Laconia team's only losses come against Trinity and Lebanon. They had big wins against Plymouth and Kennet and will now look to do the same against an apparently reborn Huskies team. You know the names: Hollis, Steele, Holmes, Mahoney, Logsdon will get All State consideration.

Monadnock - Early losses to Plymouth and Lebanon set them back at 0-2 to start the season. The Huskies have pulled it together and have apparently found some consistency going 5-1 in their last 6 games with their only defeat coming at the hands of Trinity. All State standouts Nick Dragon and "the Bus" Blake Bolewski lead a Huskies team that now finds themselves knocking on the door of the playoffs. Their offense is obviously driven by their running attack. Bolewski has absolutely hit his stride the last few games (including 6 TDs last game). Defensively they are also very tough. Consistency seems to be the key for the Huskies as they move forward potentially into the playoffs. Look for Dragon and Bolewski to be All State again this year and Cory Brown and Jacob Dubois have been raising eyebrows of late as well.

The Game:

Laconia-

You're on the road, clinched a playoff spot. You have a line anchored up by some darn good lineman, the likes of Hollis and Mahoney and you're stacked in the backfield with the likes of Steele, the other Mahoney, and guy by the name of Holmes. The team you're playing is going to be scratching and clawing at every play, and giving you everything they have for 4 quarters (or they should be), so what do you do. If you're Laconia, I think you run it down their throat. I think the Sachems set the tone early and run everything up the gut and wear those big Husky Linemen down. Bring the Defense in nice and tight and then run one of those sweeps they run so well to the outside. If the Sachem line can take charge like this it might just get in the heads of the Huskies and wear them down both physically and mentally.

Defensively, Stop THE BUS...if you let him get a rythm going, it's going to be a very long night in Swanzey. The Huskies are not afraid to throw the ball and they have tall targets. This may mean Holmes is going to have to put his jumping shoes on or light them up when they catch it. One of their strong points on D is Logsdon at ILB, he's big, nasty (I mean that in the best way possible), and will love to light you up. If he throws a bomb or two on the Tight end running the quick slant or a receiver coming across the middle (watch out). Obviously the key will be Bolewski though...if you can stop him or at least contain, you will be giving your team a chance.

Monadnock-

Offensively - Not much to say here. Coach...ride the Bus. Let the D key on him all they want. Give him the ball and let him go. A number of teams have had some success running on Laconia. If you can get through the line to the second level you can find success. Second, Throw the ball, while the Sachems have excellent corners, you can pick on their size. If you can get the ball up to your big receivers you can have success. Lastly bring your discipline. This Monadnock team may very well have defeated Lebanon earlier in the season were it not for (I don't recall teh exact number) but I believe it was near 200 yards in penalites. That cannot happen this game. Focus boys, this one's for the playoffs.

Defensively - If you key on Holmes, Mahoney is going to burn you. If he doesn't, watch out it could be Steele. Briggeman can throw it with some success, so you can't rule it out, but if you can get the Sachems to where they are throwing the ball, I like your chances. The key for the Huskies is really going to be controlling the middle and forcing calls outside. You must control the Middle against the Sachems, if you force them wide, your defense will do well chasing their backs East and West.

I think this game is going to overtime. Flat out...maybe even 2 OTs. This should be a barn burner. Period.

Good luck to all teams this week! Discuss...