2009 ITCL Playoff Preview

Division 6 - Region 21 (Saturday November 7th - 7:00pm kickoffs)

Hopewell-Loudon Chieftains (8-2) VS McDonald Blue Devils (10-0) @McDonald's A.A. Burkey Memorial Stadium

Western Reserve Blue Devils (9-1) VS Norwalk St. Paul Flyers (10-0) @ Norwalk's St. Paul Whitney Field

The St. Paul Flyers are playing the Devils again.  This time it is the Western Reserve Blue Devils as the Flyers downed McDonald last year 34-0 in the second round of the 2008 OHSAA playoffs.  Although this is the first year for Reserve's head Andy Hake to be in the playoffs, he is well aware of the tradition that St. Paul's has.      "They are a D6 perennial playoff team.  They are very well coached and have great athletes.  They have been 10-0 the last few years and they are a tremendous team.  There is no doubt this will be our most challenging game this season," remarked Hake.  He would continue, "They have a great line, running backs, wide outs and the fastest defense I have seen all year.  Their line really fires off the ball and they get after it.  They run man on man defense and they bring the house. It will be challenging to say the least. But if you are going to make a run in the playoffs you must take teams like NSP head on and not back down."

The Blue Devils return to the playoffs for the fourth time in a row as they attempt to capture an elusive Division VI State Championship.  The opponent for the Devils is all too familiar with going to Massillon and playing for the title.  Last year Hopewell-Loudon lost to Delphos St. John's 34-14 in the title game.      "Two years in a row they have been to the state finals.  They have experience going to the very end, but our kids have been in the playoffs four years in a row now so we're not in awe anymore," Blue Devils coach Dan Willimas would remark.      Last year the Cheiftains were led by stand out quarterback Tyler Brown, who threw for over 3,500 yards last year, but now he is gone and a new cast of offensive weapons are leading them into the playoffs.  Quarterback Ethan Fuller is a senior who has waited his turn, and now is making the most of the opportunity.  He has thrown for 1,286 yards on 96 of 185 passes, with 14 touchdowns versus only 4 interceptions.  His top targets are receiver #10 Miles Chapman with 32 receptions for 414 yards and 6 touchdowns, back #45 Matt Brinkner 29 receptions for 397 yards with 6 touchdowns, and #36 Jaren Wickham with 21 receptions for 328 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Although the Chieftains have terrific numbers in the passing game, according to Williams they are a more run dominated team in 2009.  "They are more of a running team to be honest with you.  They still throw 10 to 15 times a game, but they have two running backs both over 1,000 yards."  Those running backs are #45 Matt Brinckner who has rushed 118 times for 1,090 yards and 15 touchdowns, and #34 Aaron Kapelka who has 161 carries for 1,037 yards and 8 touchdowns.  What is even more amazing is that they have a third back in #21 James Roush who has carried the ball 101 times for 665 yards and 7 touchdowns.

The Flyers are paced by one of the state's finest quarterbacks in Eric Schwieterman.  However, he broke a finger prior to the season and has just recently assumed the signal-calling duties.  He is 43 of 59 passing for 687 yards, with 10 touchdowns on the season, while Dan Tracht has completed 24 of 46 passes for 460 yards and 7 touchdowns.  Tracht is the leading receiver, especially since the return of Schweiterman with 25 catches for 471 yards and 6 touchdowns.  Brian Roberts (11 catches -236 yards), Justin Wilde (9 - 131), and Jared Fries (7 - 117) also provide receiving options for the Flyers.      On the ground, the Flyers are lead by running back Brian Griffin who has 146 carries for 1,058 yards and 19 touchdowns.  But they also have a whole stable of other capable backs including Zach Service (76 att. 511 yds. 8 td), Schwieterman (22 att. 225 yds), Kyle Brake (24 att. 192 yds.), Eric Bradt (25 att. 186 yds.), and Adam Smith (30 att. 180 yds.).      "Our spirits are high from last week but we know the road ahead is going to be a difficult one but we are willing to take on the challenges ahead. In order for us to win we must play the most sound football these kids have ever played.  How we respond to adversity will go along way in determining this one.  I love our kids and I love how they responded to adversity all year.  I do not question our conviction or resolve. We just need to play above ourselves and I believe we will," Hake would remark about the playoffs and the Devils game this week.

"They have a real nice offensive line and they're defense is a 4-4, but it is an aggresive style.  They really get upfield fast," Williams talked about what to look for from Hopewell.  Williams would go on to comment about how the Chieftains looked very physical on tape.  "I wanted to talk with Spaite (Columbiana head coach) today just to see what he thought.  What his feel was in general.  I seem to remember him saying that they were more physical than they looked on film last year."  Columbiana lost to Hopewell 41-14 in the first round of the 2008 playoffs.