For the teams of the Southern Carolina 3A the tune up season is over and it is time for some conference play!
The Cougars start off conference play with an old rival from the Rocky River 2A days, Monroe. The Redhawks and Cougars played nearly every year from 1960-2004, but haven't played since the Cougars made the jump from 2A to 3A following the 2004 season.
Catholic has won 5 in a row vs the Redhawks including a playoff win at Keffer Stadium in 2004 47-33 enroute to a 2AA State Championship.
This game is a battle of what appears to be total opposites on offense. Catholic while a more diverse offense than what Oddo ran still loves to ground and pound the football. While Monroe has some flashy receivers with good speed and love to stretch the field with the pass.
Looking at Catholic on offense this season may be one of the deepest units they have had in years. A three headed monster in the backfield with Milan Howard, Michael Neel and Lamagae McDowell, Vaughan Hall comes in and provides some good speed and Chris Walton seems to be improving every week and can make big plays with his legs.
Sophomore Garrett McKernon who missed part of the South Meck and all of CCDS and AK due to injury is back as well for the Cougars on offense. I will be very interested to see how Monroe handles all of this especially the misdirection. They may have seen the double wing type offense Piedmont runs, but this is a whole other animal.
On defense Catholic is finally healthy. After missing at times this season four starters due to injury all are back and ready to go. Senior LB Chase Foley is back from injury along with DE Kevin Coss and Jack Morgan. The Cougars first team defense has not given up a touchdown since the second quarter of the Charlotte Christian game.
I feel like turnovers will play a key role in this game. Catholic has done a good job of not turning the ball over and forcing several of their own over the first four games, but notw it is crunch time.
I think the Cougars on defense are good enough to slow down Monroe considering they held Christian to only 14 pointsa short handed on defense. I also do not think that Monroe will be able to stop Catholic on offense. The Cougars OL is bigger than in years past and has played very very well as of late.
All in all I think Catholic will win this game, Monroe has not seen an offense as well oiled as this or a team as well coached as the Cougars are. I could see a 2-3 TD win here for Catholic.
The Cougars start off conference play with an old rival from the Rocky River 2A days, Monroe. The Redhawks and Cougars played nearly every year from 1960-2004, but haven't played since the Cougars made the jump from 2A to 3A following the 2004 season.
Catholic has won 5 in a row vs the Redhawks including a playoff win at Keffer Stadium in 2004 47-33 enroute to a 2AA State Championship.
This game is a battle of what appears to be total opposites on offense. Catholic while a more diverse offense than what Oddo ran still loves to ground and pound the football. While Monroe has some flashy receivers with good speed and love to stretch the field with the pass.
Looking at Catholic on offense this season may be one of the deepest units they have had in years. A three headed monster in the backfield with Milan Howard, Michael Neel and Lamagae McDowell, Vaughan Hall comes in and provides some good speed and Chris Walton seems to be improving every week and can make big plays with his legs.
Sophomore Garrett McKernon who missed part of the South Meck and all of CCDS and AK due to injury is back as well for the Cougars on offense. I will be very interested to see how Monroe handles all of this especially the misdirection. They may have seen the double wing type offense Piedmont runs, but this is a whole other animal.
On defense Catholic is finally healthy. After missing at times this season four starters due to injury all are back and ready to go. Senior LB Chase Foley is back from injury along with DE Kevin Coss and Jack Morgan. The Cougars first team defense has not given up a touchdown since the second quarter of the Charlotte Christian game.
I feel like turnovers will play a key role in this game. Catholic has done a good job of not turning the ball over and forcing several of their own over the first four games, but notw it is crunch time.
I think the Cougars on defense are good enough to slow down Monroe considering they held Christian to only 14 pointsa short handed on defense. I also do not think that Monroe will be able to stop Catholic on offense. The Cougars OL is bigger than in years past and has played very very well as of late.
All in all I think Catholic will win this game, Monroe has not seen an offense as well oiled as this or a team as well coached as the Cougars are. I could see a 2-3 TD win here for Catholic.
