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AHS/EW set for playoff rematch |
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Friday, 20 November 2009 |
 Ackerman quarterback Andrew Furr releases a pass as Havier Murphy blocks during the team’s opening-round playoff win over Strayhorn. The undefeated Indians travel tonight to Cumberland to face East Webster in the quarterfinals of the Class 2A playoffs By MATTHEW STEVENS
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CUMBERLAND – It’s not a normal occurrence for two head coaches to have a recent game tape to review with both teams on the field.
However, this is exactly the case as undefeated Ackerman plays East Webster in the quarterfinals of the Class 2A playoffs in a Region 2 rematch. The rivalry game ended in a 31-0 blowout win for the Indians (13-0) on Oct. 9.
Both teams have studied every angle of the tape with contrasting interpretations.
Ackerman’s coaching staff doesn’t put much weight in the game 42 days ago.
“That game was six to seven weeks ago,” Ackerman head coach Adam Dillinger said. “They are a much better team than when we saw them in the beginning of October. Sure we studied that tape but we don’t gain much from it.”
East Webster head coach Jimmy Carden said he may not want to see the film of the previous loss anymore in order to stay in a good mood.
“We’ve watched it several times and quite honestly it scares me half to death every time I do,” Carden said. “We got a new tape from them this week and they look two or three touchdowns better than when we saw them before.”
The logical argument would be that the Ackerman and East Webster players haven’t gotten bigger, stronger or better in a matter of 42 days but Carden has stated his players on the same field will try to be more effective in offensive and defensive execution which starts with taking care of the football. The Wolverines had six fumbles on a wet field in early October and had four turnovers that gave Ackerman consistent short fields that led to the overwhelming 31-0 final score.
“We were talking about things like that all week because our style is to stay so sound on defense, keep the score close, limit the amount of turnovers and shorten the game,” Carden said. “We feel if you can do that, you’ve always got a chance.”
Another reason the Indians believe tonight’s playoff will be closer on the field and on the scoreboard will be East Webster (7-6) having the services of fullback Timarkis Bell. A 5-foot-10, 240-pound back, Bell was injured for the Oct. 9 contest but ran for 178 yards on 21 carries and one touchdown last week in a 28-14 victory over Calhoun City.
“They didn’t have him in the (previous) game and so in that option offense they run, he’s so critical,” Dillinger said.
In other injury news, Dillinger confirmed star tailback Shawn Stricklin will be fully healthy to start in the backfield after suffering a severe high ankle sprain on Oct. 23. Stricklin has been in for one carry in each of the last two playoff games. The senior’s return to tailback means junior speedster John Cummings returns to wide receiver to provide a spark to the Ackerman passing game.
“Shawn being fully back for us allows us to stick (junior) John Cummings out at wide receiver and possibly have the same type of success throwing the football that we had last week,” Dillinger said.
Indians senior quarterback Andrew Furr had 103 yards passing in the first half of the 2009 regular season game against East Webster before Ackerman started to control the clock with the running game in the final two quarters.
“When you’ve got Stricklin, Cummings running and Furr throwing the football, it’s very, very hard to make them one-dimensional,” Carden said.
Tonight’s game may come down to a battle of quarterback play as the Wolverines counter with junior signal caller Ledrick Patterson who has impressed his head coach with his play in the month of November by simply not trying to win the game himself.
“He’s had 3 1/2 good football games by letting the other guys help him with the talent around him,” Carden said.
In the playoffs, Patterson is a perfect 6-for-6 through the air for 66 yards but also has rushed for 229 yards on 38 carries in the Wolverines two playoff games.
“I think early on he tried to put a lot of pressure on himself and you throw in going from wide receiver to quarterback, he’s gotten a little better every day,” Carden said. “We graduated a lot of people from last year, he’s was put in the fire and an excellent athlete, point guard on the basketball team and all that, sometimes you want to step up and you get caught up in just trying too hard.”
The winner of tonight’s game will play the winner of Baldwyn/West Bolivar for the North Half championship on the day after Thanksgiving.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 21 November 2009 )
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