No. 1 Bishop Amat (2-0-1) at No. 2 Charter Oak (2-0)
Why Bishop Amat will win … Tradition and mystique, of course! OK, just kidding. As nice as those two factors are, there’s plenty more to the 2012 Lancers than that. The fact is that Amat is the more reliable offense if we’re going off of what we’ve seen so far. QB Koa Haynes has been excellent, running back Dionza Blue might be the best player in the Valley and receiver/defensive back Darren Andrews is a big-play machine. The Lancers have proven they can get their playmakers going against top-flight competition. If the run isn’t working, Haynes can make a big pass. If the pass isn’t working, Blue can be unstoppable on the ground. Amat’s defense has given up some points, but the level of competition has to be considered. This stop unit can fly and loves to hit. And yet despite that, if Amat wins on Friday it will be because either Haynes, Blue or Andrew make one or two more big plays than Charter Oak.
Why Charter Oak will win … Defense, defense, defense. The Chargers have allowed just 14 points this season and some people think they shouldn’t have allowed any. Charter Oak’s defense combines good size with excellent speed. The big question is whether the Chargers’ coaching staff will try to win it with the defense or let the defense be what bails the offense out all night. It may not be a good idea for the offense to be too cute or aggressive against Amat. If Charter Oak uses its defense to wait out Amat and set up the offense with a couple of good situations, then the Chargers stand a good chance to knock off No. 1. The defense will have to force at least two mistakes by the Lancers, which isn’t easy to do.
What will happen … Charter Oak will come out and try for one or two big plays, which Amat will defend perfectly. From there, the game will settle into a grinder with the Chargers defense not letting Blue or Andrews get loose for quick, momentum-changing scores. Don’t expect many points in the first half. In the second half, the Chargers ground game will start to have success and one big play by QB Kory Brown will put CO on the brink of the win. Amat will answer, but Chargers kicker Jack Schneider will get the last laugh by hitting a field goal to put his team ahead. CO’s defense does the rest. … Charter Oak 17, Amat 14.
THAT’S MINE, NOW SHOW ME YOURS. PLEASE DO MORE THAN OFFER A SCORE. TELL ME WHY EITHER CHARTER OAK OR AMAT WIN.