LB Jordan vs. Mater Dei @ Santa Ana Stadium, 7:30pm
I love to say I told you so, and boy, did we tell you so. In our Moore League preview we named the Jordan Panthers our “Dark Horse” for a reason. Two years ago, the Panthers had loads of talent, but were plagued by injuries; last year, they avoided the injuries, but couldn’t shake the bad luck. Two or three plays go the other way (particularly in a heartbreak of a loss against Millikan), and Jordan could have gone from 1-9 in 2006 to the playoffs in 2007.
This year, the stars aligned and the Panther defense has led a scrappy, impressive effort that has head coach Scott Meyer going to the playoffs for the first time at Jordan.
Taniela Maka was the Panther MVP in preseason practice and non-conference play, leading an aggressive linebacking corps and sneaky-good secondary. The Jordan defense only allowed one passing touchdown in the first four games, and only 74 points in their seven wins. Like most of the Moore League, the Panthers defense is a swarming, athletic unit that runs a lot of cover two and rarely gets beat deep.
Offensively, the Panthers struggled to gain continuity early in the season. Quarterback John Timu (924 yards, 12 TD) was asked to do most of the creating, while a carousel of running backs rotated in and out of the backfield. Then two games happened. Against Wilson, in a contest that would lock up a playoff berth, the Panthers took the option play out of a back pocket for the first time this season, and two late drives that were option-heavy got Jordan the win. The very next week, the Panthers showcased a bunched receiver set that equaled four TD passes from Timu in a blowout win at Cabrillo. In order for Jordan to give Mater Dei a fight, that offensive production needs to continue to mature, because the Monarchs can light up the scoreboard.
Most of that high-powered octane is due to last year’s Gatorade Player of the Year, quarterback Matt Barkley. After a shaky start to the season, Barkley stopped forcing it and tallied 2,502 yards, 20 TD, 14 INT on 57% passing. A lot of those interceptions came during the shaky preseason schedule, but it could be the key to the game. If the Panther defense can get in front of two or three Barkley passes, history shows us that the winner of turnover battles in the playoffs usually comes out on top.
Here’s analysis from Leaky Pipes, who saw Mater Dei beat his Bosco Braves:
The Monarchs are not a sit-back, protect, and go long kind of team. They aren’t in maximum protect very often and Barkley doesn’t make as many mistakes as Mike made it out to be on SportsNight. But Bosco was able to jump a few routes, so were some other teams, and I think Jordan can do that too.
However, I don’t think that pressure will be the key because Barkley audibles at the line if he sees a blitz, and he has no problem throwing a quick slant or dumping it off in the flat. In fact, even in disguised blitzes I would trust Barkley to be able to find the open man and hit him quickly. Yes, he has 14 picks, but he’s the #1 recruit because he’s smart and quick.
On that note, I don’t think interceptions are the sign of a bad game by him. I think completion percentage is. If he’s hitting his man, even if a few routes get jumped, he’s still moving them down the field. When he throws 55%, they’re 5-0. When he throws less than that, they’re 2-3. Despite all of Barkley’s press, their offense goes through Jaron Hytche, #29. That Carson game where Mater Dei struggled, Hytche ran only 6 times for 8 yards. Three weeks later to beat LA Jordan, he ran 22 times for 150 yards. When they beat Servite he carried it 17 for 200, but the week before that they lost to Edison as he had 8 for 54.
I realize this sounds like CBS analysis: shut down their pass and their run, BUT they really can do both well. If you focus on one, they will beat you with the other. I know you are high on Jordan, but Mater Dei is the best offense in the Trinity league, and that’s saying something. If Jordan were to pull this off- and I don’t think they will- it will happen by holding Hytche to under 150 yds, and not only picking Barkley off, but breaking up a ton of passes.
Compton @ Notre Dame Sherman Oaks, 7:30pm
As much as I’d like to be sure about this game, I’m not. I’m not sure Notre Dame has seen a defense as physical as the Tarbabe unit. I’m not sure if Compton junior all-star James McConico will suit up, and I’m still not sure if we’ve seen the Tarbabes play their best game yet.
For Notre Dame I’m not sure if you could register this as a trap game. The Knights are a perfect 10-0, and have beaten good teams like Servite, Crespi, Loyola, and Bishop Amat. Still young, Notre Dame might get better next year, but first they might need to outscore some teams in the playoffs. That will depend on Ryan Kasdorf. MaxPreps Stats has the junior completing 70% of his passes while throwing 32 TD and 5 INT for 2930 yards. Kasdorf can also run the ball (4 carries, 132 yards vs. Saugus) and it’s going to be a balancing act for Compton. Do they stack the box and get in the Notre Dame receivers’ faces? Do they sit back in the zone and try to trick the young gun?
Either way, it’s going to depend on where and how Compton star Chris Metcalf plays. He has lined up at the outside linebacker position against a run-heavy Poly attack, man-to-man against Wilson’s Jemari Roberts, and back at safety against Jordan. He will most likely lead the team in tackles, but will that be enough?
As far as the Compton offensive game plan, that I can be sure of. The ‘novocaine’ approach (nine plays, give it awhile, it’ll start working) has been working for most of the year. The Tarbabes have controlled the ball and lit up the scoreboard all season by eating up yards on the ground in huge chunks. You wouldn’t expect the offensive set to produce big plays, but McConico is averaging 22.5 yards a carry.
So, for Compton to shock the world, it’s going to take a lot of Compton offense, and a whole lotta Metcalf.