<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
We know what you’re thinking: special teams? <\/span>Isn’t that kickers and punters and stuff? <\/span>Well, reader, to put it simply: yes. <\/span>And while that may not be as exciting as big-hitting defense and explosive offense, special teams could very well be the difference in this game. <\/span>Here’s how:<\/span><\/p>\n Poly’s Kick\/Punt\/Return Team<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Poly has an advantage in this department over most teams they play because of one player, or rather, one foot: David Skara’s. <\/span>The senior is the team’s punter and kicker, and he has performed admirably in both capacities this season, with a per-punt average of nearly 50 yards—33% of his punts have pinned opponents inside the 20, which could be important in a field position battle, if that’s how this game goes. <\/span>Skara has also neutralized many opponents’ return game by knocking most kickoffs into (or in some cases, out of) the end zone: nearly 80% of his kickoffs have been touchbacks. <\/span>Throw in that Skara has the kicking power to put in field goals from pretty far back (just last week he made a 42-yarder against Esperanza, and he’s nailed 50 yards-plus in practice). <\/span>In a tight, defensive game, Skara’s left foot could be an important component. <\/span><\/p>\n On the receiving end of the kicking\/punting game, Poly is no slouch. <\/span>Kaelin Clay and Jordan Johnson, Poly’s top two receivers, are both solid return men with the speed to cut loose if they see daylight. <\/span>Johnson has also been a pretty good punt returner—but it’s Darius Williams-Fox, one of Poly’s top two corners, that could break the game open. <\/span>He doesn’t get put back there much, but we’ve seen two enormous returns by him that were called back due to holding penalties. <\/span>If he gets his hands on one and his blockers can convince the refs to keep their hankies in their belts, he could be a game-changer.<\/span><\/p>\n Watch for: <\/b><\/span>Skara’s left shoe—it’ll be easy to notice since it’s fluorescent green-yellow. <\/span>If this is a close game, Poly will have the advantage in the kicking game.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Lakewood’s Kick\/Punt\/ReturnTeam<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n We’ve been hailing Lakewood’s offense as the most complete in the Pac-5—which it is. <\/span>But one glaring hole in the Lancers squad this season has been special teams. <\/span>Punter Jesus Orozco had a good enough leg, but would hold the ball too long before punting, leading to block opportunities—which Poly took advantage of in their first meeting. <\/span>They’ve since switched punters to Ron Lewis, who is averaging 36 yards per punt, and whose delivery is a little speedier. <\/span>Still, a low snap in the first Poly\/Lakewood game led to another big play, as Orozco took a knee while fielding the ball. <\/span>He still kicks field goals and is a good enough kicker, but the Lancers won’t ask him to attempt many that are more than chip shots.<\/span><\/p>\n On the flip side, their return game has been phenomenal—he’s not a big guy, but receiver Kevin Anderson has done a pretty good Devin Hester impersonation a few times this season. <\/span>His return team blocks very well for him (nobody runs the wedge like Lakewood), and if he finds a seam, nobody’s going to catch him. <\/span>Dion Bailey and Jerry Stone have both also returned kicks, so you know Lakewood is going to want to get their hands on a Skara kickoff—most teams haven’t gotten that this season, but watch out if they do. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Watch for: <\/b><\/span>Protection and timing from the punt team. <\/span>If they can sew up this glaring problem from the first match, you’ll see just how far the Lancers have come. <\/span>If they can return a Skara kick, be sure to pay attention—with the ball in Anderson’s hands, you’ll want to make sure you’re up for the kickoff.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We know it’s not as glamorous as…well, any other set of football players, but this article outlines how special teams could make the 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