Let me start by giving credit where credit is due, and that's to the ones who have dedicated countless hours to this sport, the coaching staffs and players from Crest and Southern Durham, job well done to both schools over the past three seasons.
To Crest, I think Coach Barnes deserves a lot of credit for going back to the drawing board after 2K13. He brought in a new DC, Coach Clark, who is now the head coach. Tweaked his scheme on both sides of the ball. Became a defense to boot, and became a more explosive offense by become multi-dimensional. This is definitely no where close to the 2K13 from a scheme prospective. Crest hasn't lost a game in two years. Last year they physically dominated Havelock in the Championship game, and therefore they are the Heavy Weight Champion in 3A, no question about it.
To my home town team Southern Durham, what can I say. For someone who loves this game it's been fun watching this team grow from August to December. This year's team had to replace 18 out of 21 starters from team that went 29-1 over two seasons. These kids have not always been the most consistent especially from August to mid-October. But from late October to now they've been mentally sharp, especially defensively. SD had to replace every starter in their D-line. Their youth and inexperience really showed early on in their technique and missed assignments. However I knew they had a chance to be very good because their physicality, size and athleticism has always been there. Against HHS's major D-1 talent, and their mammoth O-line that averaged 6'3 285 from tackle to tackle, SD curb stomped them. Especially SD's D-line versus their O-line. The speed and athleticism gave that O-line fits. But since late October that D-line has been solid mentally. You no longer see 5 techniques and 3 technique running up field, you now see those guys getting hands on lineman squeezing blocks, taking on pulling guards parallel to the line of scrimmage, taking on blocks with the proper shoulder. if you're in to the intricate details of the game, they growth from a technique prospective has been beautiful to see.
Since it's already foregone conclusion that most believe that Crest is going to roll big Saturday. ( Which I see nothing wrong with that prediction, as I said Crest is the Heavy Weight Champion, until someone takes that belt. I'm just happy Southern Durham has earned the opportunity to challenge this great program once again. 10 Championship Game appearances, remarkable). Here are my keys for an upset.
1. SD DL has to win the battle in the trenches.
If SD D-line can win their battle in the trenches against Crest O-line, then they'll position themselves to keep the game close with a chance at pulling the upset. However this won't be an easy task, Crest O-line is very similar to Orange's O-line, and probably a tad better than Northern Guilford's. Size wise Crest are about the size of Orange O-line averaging 6'3 260 from tackle to tackle.
2. Offensive efficiency. SD must move the chains against Crest. Yes, easier said than done. SD will be facing the best defense they've seen all year, and yes even better than Orange defense due to Crest's backend speed. In my opinion Orange's defense was the best defense I've seen in person since HHS 2011 4A state champion defense. Ask any SD supporter their thoughts on that Orange front 7. So comparing Orange and Crest is not a slight against Crest. Orange defense was just that good. It's funny because scheme wise Orange and Crest are twins. Front 3 for both of those of teams are equal in talent, LB play are equal. Crest has a D-1 LB, but so did Orange if the kid didn't have a 95 MPH fast ball, and was slated to be one of the top picks in the MLB draft. The back 4 is what separates Crest from Orange defensively. Ty McLaurin I remember from Scotland County, he's a good one. But over all those kids in Crest secondary can cover and they are very good in supporting the run. Based on film the defensive play caller is extremely aggressive, but it's definitely a luxury to have backend speed to cover down for busts. SD offense is predicated on taking what the defense gives. No defense can take away everything, but the good ones like Crest will definitely take away the things you are most successful at. I think Crest will attempt to take away Brown's running lanes and take their chances with him attempting to win with his arm. LOL, the fun part for us Southern Durham supporters is that we don't really know what Brown can do with his arm
. We only saw 1 game when he only passed it 14 times and completed 50% of those passes, that number will probably need to be in 20's to open up some running lanes........ Looking forward to seeing these teenagers from both teams compete.