There's no denying that the Cato-Meridian Blue Devils will be underdogs in their first-round playoff game. That's just fine with them.
Seventh-ranked Cato-Meridian (4-3 overall, 3-2 league) travels to No. 2 Mount Markham (7-0, 5-0) Friday for a Section III, Class C showdown. They'll have a tough task in front of them, taking on a squad that has outscored its opponents 255-87 - an average victory of 36-12.
“Everyone's looking forward to the challenge,” Blue Devils coach CJ. Hannon said of his players. “They're enjoying that role of being the underdogs. They understand there's an opportunity here for them to do something that no one thinks they're going to be able to do.”
Whatever they do, they'll most likely have to do it without their leader - Donny Rodriquez. The team's top rusher and second-leading tackler was hurt during the second quarter of Cato-Meridian's Week 6 game against Port Byron.
He saw a doctor this week, and Hannon said Rodriquez, who is the only player on the roster with postseason experience (he was a freshman on the 2004 squad that lost in the first round, 22-20 in overtime to Herkimer) is “hopeful” about his chances of playing Friday. However, Hannon admitted it was “doubtful” that he would be in the lineup.
That doesn't mean the Blue Devils won't have a ground game.
Senior Marc Walton has since stepped up to fill the void in the backfield. In the team's final game of the season - a 49-20 win over Hannibal - Walton ran for 152 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
“We learned that we still can play good football without our leaders in,” Hannon said. “We can pick up the slack and keep going forward.”
Which is good, considering the Blue Devils will also miss their leading tackler, linebacker David Quinn, who was hurt during the third quarter of the Hannibal game. Hannon said Quinn is also “doubtful” for Friday's game. Matt Schmitt will replace Quinn.
That means a shorthanded defense will have its hand full with Section III's leading rusher, Luke Phillips. For Cato-Meridian to have a chance at the upset, halting Phillips will be the key.
“We really need to focus on him and stop him, or at least limit the amount of yardage the he's able to get,” Hannon said. “If we can limit him and stay in the game, then we've got a good chance.”
They've been making the most of their chances, lately.
With the playoff picture growing dimmer just a few weeks ago, the Blue Devils knew they needed to step up their game.
“We as a team really just had to approach our business and not worry about those types of things,” Hannon said of dealing with playoff chances and tiebreakers. “We knew we really had to play our best over the last two games, and we were fortunate to play well in both games.”
The pair of victories to close out the season left Cato-Meridian, Herkimer and Lowville - all with two league losses - in a three-way tie with two playoff spots open. The first tiebreaker, head-to-head record, was obsolete as none of the teams played each other.
]The next step was scoring differential in the first half, and Herkimer took the top slot with Cato-Meridian edging out Lowville for the final opening.
“It was just great realizing that all the hard work that they've been through this year paid off,” Hannon said. “They certainly are excited about that.”
That enthusiasm has carried over to the practice field.
“You get a chance to play in the playoffs, with fall weather like you're having right now? The attitude in practice is fantastic,” Hannon said.
“The goal for us is to continue to improve as a team, which we feel like we've been able to do in the last few weeks. The kids are pretty confident.”
If you go
What: No. 7 Cato-Meridian at No. 2 Mt. Markham, Section III quarterfinal
When: Friday
Where: West Winfield
Time: 7 p.m.
“Everyone's looking forward to the challenge,” Blue Devils coach CJ. Hannon said of his players. “They're enjoying that role of being the underdogs. They understand there's an opportunity here for them to do something that no one thinks they're going to be able to do.”
Whatever they do, they'll most likely have to do it without their leader - Donny Rodriquez. The team's top rusher and second-leading tackler was hurt during the second quarter of Cato-Meridian's Week 6 game against Port Byron.
He saw a doctor this week, and Hannon said Rodriquez, who is the only player on the roster with postseason experience (he was a freshman on the 2004 squad that lost in the first round, 22-20 in overtime to Herkimer) is “hopeful” about his chances of playing Friday. However, Hannon admitted it was “doubtful” that he would be in the lineup.
That doesn't mean the Blue Devils won't have a ground game.
Senior Marc Walton has since stepped up to fill the void in the backfield. In the team's final game of the season - a 49-20 win over Hannibal - Walton ran for 152 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
“We learned that we still can play good football without our leaders in,” Hannon said. “We can pick up the slack and keep going forward.”
Which is good, considering the Blue Devils will also miss their leading tackler, linebacker David Quinn, who was hurt during the third quarter of the Hannibal game. Hannon said Quinn is also “doubtful” for Friday's game. Matt Schmitt will replace Quinn.
That means a shorthanded defense will have its hand full with Section III's leading rusher, Luke Phillips. For Cato-Meridian to have a chance at the upset, halting Phillips will be the key.
“We really need to focus on him and stop him, or at least limit the amount of yardage the he's able to get,” Hannon said. “If we can limit him and stay in the game, then we've got a good chance.”
They've been making the most of their chances, lately.
With the playoff picture growing dimmer just a few weeks ago, the Blue Devils knew they needed to step up their game.
“We as a team really just had to approach our business and not worry about those types of things,” Hannon said of dealing with playoff chances and tiebreakers. “We knew we really had to play our best over the last two games, and we were fortunate to play well in both games.”
The pair of victories to close out the season left Cato-Meridian, Herkimer and Lowville - all with two league losses - in a three-way tie with two playoff spots open. The first tiebreaker, head-to-head record, was obsolete as none of the teams played each other.
]The next step was scoring differential in the first half, and Herkimer took the top slot with Cato-Meridian edging out Lowville for the final opening.
“It was just great realizing that all the hard work that they've been through this year paid off,” Hannon said. “They certainly are excited about that.”
That enthusiasm has carried over to the practice field.
“You get a chance to play in the playoffs, with fall weather like you're having right now? The attitude in practice is fantastic,” Hannon said.
“The goal for us is to continue to improve as a team, which we feel like we've been able to do in the last few weeks. The kids are pretty confident.”
If you go
What: No. 7 Cato-Meridian at No. 2 Mt. Markham, Section III quarterfinal
When: Friday
Where: West Winfield
Time: 7 p.m.
The Citizens' Say
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hillbilly wrote on Nov 6, 2007 10:25 AM: