Perhaps this is a bit off subject.....but, anyone care to share any thoughts re the Loyola Maine South 8A Title Game? Looks like it will be a great game. Which team has improved more than the other since week two?
LA MS 8A Title
- Thread starter lookoutforliam
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I have seen both teams in film thus far in the playoffs and Loyola Looks better.
Now can I make a case for South? Sure.......
Play at high tempo on offense
Be very efficient in the passing game much like the regular season game.
Run the all when South wants to not when they have to.
Don't give Loyola extra possessions.
Force Loyola into longer downs on second and third down.
Even with all that I don't know if it's enough but if South can accomplish that list it will make for a very compelling game.
Now can I make a case for South? Sure.......
Play at high tempo on offense
Be very efficient in the passing game much like the regular season game.
Run the all when South wants to not when they have to.
Don't give Loyola extra possessions.
Force Loyola into longer downs on second and third down.
Even with all that I don't know if it's enough but if South can accomplish that list it will make for a very compelling game.
I think given the rivalry, all bets are off. Both teams are gonna show up and I think it'll be a burner. If I'm LA I'm trying to play conservatively, let that monster O-line wear down the MS defense and give Marwede a lot of short yardage carries. If they can do that then I'll take LA. But MS can scrap, so I don't know.
Should be a great game. Sad that I won't be there (with in-laws out of town).
The offenses are both juggernauts in very different ways. With both offenses you have to pick your poison.
Loyola is so complete. LA can ground and pound 90+ yards down field and eat up 8-9 minutes of clock or they strike quick with Terrell and Marwede on the outsides just when you think they're gonna keep running.
MS has arguably the best dual threat QB in the state. I said arguably so no one takes offense...I know there are guys like Oles and others who are arguably in the same category. Leongas is the type of kid that being put in 3rd and longs can be even more dangerous given his ability to use his feet to extend plays and find guys downfield. Their jet sweeps/Q power reads are impossible to stop because he is almost just as dangerous as The Greek Freak as a runner.
The biggest impact on the outcome here will be the defenses.
Moving Jarvis to noseguard could've created the equalizer on the line of scrimmage that slows down the LA run game. The corners seem bigger and better than the guys in week 2. Are they the same players or just playing a lot better than before? Can they neutralize LA on the outside?
The LA D is just much more mature than than they were in week 2. I don't see LA making the same mistakes. The soph safety has 13 games under his belt. The junior corner has made the move to safety and played well for several weeks. They are young but much more competent. At Sam, junior Anthony Rodriguez, a Niles resident and Park Ridge Falcon product has developed into stud. In week 2 the coaching staff might've played 3 different kids at that position as they were trying to figure out who would stick.
Arguably the two best coaching staffs in the state...LA is and should be the favorite but I'm not buying anyone selling this as anything less than a very even matchup. Although I'd enjoy the game much more if we can pull away early, 2010 is still a fresh memory.
The offenses are both juggernauts in very different ways. With both offenses you have to pick your poison.
Loyola is so complete. LA can ground and pound 90+ yards down field and eat up 8-9 minutes of clock or they strike quick with Terrell and Marwede on the outsides just when you think they're gonna keep running.
MS has arguably the best dual threat QB in the state. I said arguably so no one takes offense...I know there are guys like Oles and others who are arguably in the same category. Leongas is the type of kid that being put in 3rd and longs can be even more dangerous given his ability to use his feet to extend plays and find guys downfield. Their jet sweeps/Q power reads are impossible to stop because he is almost just as dangerous as The Greek Freak as a runner.
The biggest impact on the outcome here will be the defenses.
Moving Jarvis to noseguard could've created the equalizer on the line of scrimmage that slows down the LA run game. The corners seem bigger and better than the guys in week 2. Are they the same players or just playing a lot better than before? Can they neutralize LA on the outside?
The LA D is just much more mature than than they were in week 2. I don't see LA making the same mistakes. The soph safety has 13 games under his belt. The junior corner has made the move to safety and played well for several weeks. They are young but much more competent. At Sam, junior Anthony Rodriguez, a Niles resident and Park Ridge Falcon product has developed into stud. In week 2 the coaching staff might've played 3 different kids at that position as they were trying to figure out who would stick.
Arguably the two best coaching staffs in the state...LA is and should be the favorite but I'm not buying anyone selling this as anything less than a very even matchup. Although I'd enjoy the game much more if we can pull away early, 2010 is still a fresh memory.
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Main South has played much better since they now play four or five guys both ways? Once of them being number #75 - the MSU recruit playing OL and DL ! The MS defensive line will be much bigger than the GBW D-line so not so sure that will be as easy for LA as it was last week when they simply wore down the smaller, faster GBW D-line. The LA secondary and overall defense has played better the second half of the season for sure. The key is are they faster as well - or fast enough to stop the speed of MS? These 2 teams know each other pretty well so it should be interesting to see how both of these excellent coaches put together a game plan to see if they can surprise each other. To me it comes down to execution, the team that turns the ball over least and how much the LA defense has improved to stop the MS high powered offense. As always defense wins you Championships - but everyone already gets that....!
Anthony Rodriguez not Alex. Him and Romano are both falcon products and great kids and great LBs.
Got LA and not all that close. Loyola has enough size and athletisicm to keep leongas in the pocket which is where you want him. Don't see Maine South slowing down the LA offense
Dean:
While you are correct, what has me wringing my hands is Maine South is inspired by the oldest motive of all, revenge. Although LA is completely healthy and its defense has improved all year, Maine South has the mental edge.
I still find LA can win, but I hate the re-match.
My bad, definitely Anthony. Cant believe i made that mistake. A Rod for short. And yep, Anthony Romano is also Falcon product too.
I think the revenge motive likely resonates with both programs each time they play each other, regardless of the season.
ramblinman:
Oh certainly. I was answering in the context of 2016 and I suspect you understand this. I did not forget the 2008 quarterfinal or either the 2009 and 2010 semi-finals in which MS unceremoniously dispatched the Ramblers and went on to win state titles.
These losses should serve as motivators for us this weekend.
I dont like re-matches. can someone sue to re-arrange the matchups for this weekend? How about MS vs. Fenwick/PFN, ESL vs. LA.
In my opinion big Edge to Loyola due to their offense versus the MS defense.
yes MS has made the smart decision to play a few guys both ways and that will shore up their defense versus earlier games such as the first one versus LA or more recently the MS vs. West Aurora shootout in Aurora,
But I still think the key matchup is Loyola O vs. MS D. If MS can limit Loyola O - watch out!! as I believe it will be tough for Loyola to hold MS under 24 points.
In my opinion big Edge to Loyola due to their offense versus the MS defense.
yes MS has made the smart decision to play a few guys both ways and that will shore up their defense versus earlier games such as the first one versus LA or more recently the MS vs. West Aurora shootout in Aurora,
But I still think the key matchup is Loyola O vs. MS D. If MS can limit Loyola O - watch out!! as I believe it will be tough for Loyola to hold MS under 24 points.
I'm thinking this will be pretty anti-climatic.
Loyola, pulling away, wins 35-14.
Loyola, pulling away, wins 35-14.
I hope your right but that would be selling the MS coaching staff short.
If Holecek and staff holds this O to 14 pts, there should be no more argument as to who is the best defensive staff in the state.
When I think of great defensive teams only three come to my mind quickly. LA,GW and LZ
I say if Leongas has more than 200-250 all-purpose yards with no turnovers, it's a dog fight.
And imagine if Holecek puts Marwede in on D like he has been hinting for the past couple of weeks.
Moreover, they stormed our field. I think the Ramblers roll again.
Awe!!
Our kids were trying to find the JAG that opened the state box... they meant no harm
A bit off what subject? If you're talking about the 7A mess, I for one am more than happy to read about the other upcoming games. Really haven't followed these two except to watch a little of the Loyola/ Glenbard West game. I was impressed with the Loyola offense in that game against a more-than-worthy opponent.
What happened in the Oswego East game? I was surprised at how low scoring it was for both LA and OE