2009 ITCL Playoff Preview

Division 5 - Region 17 (Friday November 6th - 7:30pm kickoff)

East Palestine Bulldogs (8-2) VS Crestview Rebels (9-1) @Crestview's Rebel Stadium

Sometimes in a re-match game the previous winner is believed to have the advantage because they have the confidence from the first matchup.  While some may say that the team that lost the first time has an advantage because it is so hard to beat a good team twice.  Friday night the Bulldogs and Rebels will meet again to see who is the supreme team in this rivalry.      Obviously there is comfort in playing a team you have seen before, which is not the case in most playoff games.  "It's a benefit because you are familiar with their style of play, their coaches, and their athletes," Rebels coach Paul Cusick would reveal.  But with the Rebels winning in week six by a 35-14 score they will need to guard against being over-confident going into this re-match.  Cusick doesn't believe his team will, "I don't believe so.  This is week eleven and everything is turned up a notch.  If we don't turn our game up it will be difficult for us to win."  According to coach Jeff Sharky of East Palestine, he doesn't feel that the outcome of the first game has much of an impact, "I don't know who it benefits.  It is what it is.  It's a new game."

This game will once again feature possibly the best two quarterbacks in the ITCL when East Palestine's Shane Peterson and Crestview's Carter Hill square off again.  Back in week six, the Rebels quarterback Carter Hill had a tremendous game where he rushed for 278 yards with 4 touchdowns, and also passed for 40 yards with an additional touchdown.  Peterson had a good night, but was obviously overshadowed by Hill.  Peterson ended the night with 24 rushing yards and 100 passing yards.  If the Dogs are going to win this time around they must be able to contain Hill plus his other offensive weapons, while getting their own offense on track.  The Bulldogs have only scored 21 points in they're last two contest, losing to Springfield and Mineral Ridge.

In that previous contest it appeared that the Rebels began to wear down the very big Bulldog line lead by Tom Muir (6'9, 360) and Ben Gysin (6'4, 240).  The Rebels will once again put a lot of pressure on that line with their spread offense and physical line of their own.  As is always the case in big games, this contest will be won up front with those "big uglies". The Rebels Gary Cervone, Payton Elwonger, and Nick Marnejon will probably make the difference in who is victorious Friday night.

But don't look for the Bulldogs to make any drastic changes from week six, "Its a case of us improving what we did.  We just need to play better," Sharkey would explain.  He would go on to describe what the Bulldogs must do to be successful this time around.  "We have to play better defensively, we need to more aggressive.  We need to tackle better.  Offensively we need to execute, and we need to win the special teams battle."  For coach Cusick and the Rebels they must continue to do what has gotten them this far.  "Be consistent on offense and limit their offense from making big plays.  Also, we must be physical and tackle," Cusick said.      It should be another great game featuring two great quarterbacks and two excellent programs.  The team that can be the most consistent and establish their style of offense will ultimately pull out a big round one victory and move on in the 2009 OHSAA playoffs.