Only the strong survive, or in the case of football, only the strong continue on. Playoffs are a special time for players and coaches, and when any team is able to reach the state-level playoffs, it is a proud achievement.
This year, the Clearfield Bison make their return trip to the PIAA state playoffs, somewhere they have not been for a couple of seasons, and are hoping to advance further. Their 12-0 record stands as one of only four teams that have made it to the PIAA playoffs with an unblemished season. In order to continue their quest towards more glory, and to equal the number of victories achieved by the incredible 2010 squad, they will have to go against the 6-6 Jersey Shore Bulldogs.
It is no secret the state playoffs are the hardest games to win, especially when both squads are among the strongest in the state.
The Bulldogs come into the game with an even record of 6-6, however their statistics reflect a completely different offensive attack. It is the first time all season where the Bison have to go against not only a strong-armed quarterback, but also a strong-legged running back.
Quarterback Logan English has experienced an incredible season under center for Jersey Shore. Through 12 games, he is 89-for-166, passing for 1221 yards, 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. What’s most important is that he is able to spread the ball out to many receivers, which will test the Clearfield secondary. The leading receiver for Jersey Shore is Brody Smith, who has 324 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
But, look for Troy Rowan, Derek Leese, and Stephen Baier to also get some time receiving some passes.
When the Bulldogs aren’t passing, this is when the Bison front seven will be tested the most. It is also the first time all year that Clearfield will face a 1000-yard rusher, and it’s going to be extremely difficult.
Senior Utoafili Agae-Naipo has rushed for 1338 yards on 235 carries, and has 13 touchdowns to his credit.
The Bison front line and the linebackers are indeed going to be tested against such a strong running back, but more importantly the way they will win the game is if they stop both forms of offense, because just stopping one means that the other one could be making a major impact.
When the teams switch possession, the Bulldog defense will still have a strong test.
The ground game of Clearfield is statistically one of the best in the area, as they have relied more on it this year than the pass. The team averages 334 yards per game rushing, and that is thanks to a pair of 1000-yard rushers.
Senior quarterback Christian Lezzer seems to enjoy his role in the read-option offense. He is the leading rusher on the team, as the Boston College-bound young athlete has rushed for 1741 yards this season, averaging nearly eight yards a carry, and a team-high 30 touchdowns. No other score had more impact than his one last week against Somerset that sealed the victory, and the berth in the state playoffs.
But the big factor here could be Tyler Stratton. He’s been able to stay healthy in the last two games, and has officially eclipsed the 1000-yard mark on the season. He has 1112 yards rushing this year, also averaging over eight yards a carry, and 18 touchdowns. When he is healthy, he can certainly make an impact.
The other rusher the Bulldog defense needs to be aware of is Seth Caldwell, as when Stratton isn’t running, and Lezzer decides to hand the ball off, he has been the one to step up, and he’s done so in a big way. Caldwell has 763 yards rushing this season, including seven touchdowns. Without question he could break a big run if he gets the opportunity.
It’s the first round of PIAA playoffs, and only one team will move on another week into the final eight in the state. Who is going to do it? Will the Bulldogs stick their paws into the Bison and hand them their lone loss of the 2013 season? Will the Bison reach the lucky 13 once again and tame Jersey Shore?
Find out at 7 p.m. as kickoff is slated at E.J. Mansell Stadium in Dubois.
Bison Scoreboard:
Date | Opponent | Score | Record |
08/30 | ST. JOAN OF ARC | 45 – 7 | 1 – 0 |
09/06 | PENNS VALLEY | 37 – 15 | 2 – 0 |
09/13 | @ Central | 35 – 20 | 3 – 0 |
09/20 | HUNTINGDON | 58 – 30 | 4 – 0 |
09/27 | @ Central Mountain | 49 – 13 | 5 – 0 |
10/04 | @ Bellefonte | 49 – 13 | 6 – 0 |
10/11 | TYRONE | 27 – 26 | 7 – 0 |
10/18 | BALD EAGLE AREA | 31 – 6 | 8 – 0 |
10/25 | @ Philipsburg-Osceola | 56 – 7 | 9 – 0 |
D9 AAA Title Game | |||
11/1 | vs. Bradford | 51 – 7 | 10 – 0 |
District 5-6-8-9 Regional | |||
11/8 | vs. JOHNSTOWN | 42 – 7 | 11 – 0 |
11/15 | vs. Somerset | 21 – 6 | 12 – 0 |
PIAA Playoffs | |||
11/22 | vs. Jersey Shore |