Dickinson expects its defense to be put to test
From today's Patriot-News:
Dickinson expects its defense to be put to test
Friday, November 03, 2006
BY BOB BLACK Of The Patriot-News
Former West Perry receiver Clay Merris realizes he is part of a senior-laden offense that has led Dickinson to a 7-1 record that includes a 4-0 record in the Centennial Conference.
But he also knows that if Dickinson is to clinch the league crown by beating visiting Gettysburg (4-4, 2-2) in a 1 p.m. battle for The Little Brown Bucket tomorrow at Biddle Field, it will be the defense that will be challenged.
"I think both teams have comparable offenses," said Merris, in his fourth season as a receiver for the Red Devils. "We knew coming into this season that we'd have the weapons to score some points. But our defense has really come through for us in what has been a really good season."
While Gettysburg is coming off its most disappointing game of the season (a 54-14 Centennial loss at Muhlenberg), the Red Devils scored a come-from-behind 22-21 nonleague win at Hampden-Sydney.
In that game Dickinson's defense shut down Hampden-Sydney in the final quarter while the offense scored a pair of touchdowns over a 4:45 span.
"I knew back in the only game we lost this season [31-28 at Hobart] that we were going to be a good football team," Dickinson coach Darwin Breaux said. "We played a nationally ranked team off their feet on their field and were just as good as they were. Since then, we've been a very solid team and won a tough game last week."
Included among the 17 seniors on the team along with quarterback Matt Torchia has been defensive leader Andrew Ackley, a safety who set a career interception record this season and now has 20.
The Red Devils will be facing the Centennial's second-most efficient quarterback in Gettysburg freshman Matt Flynn who has a 133.5 rating, right behind Torchia's 134.4.
"[Gettysburg has] a very solid offense," said Breaux, who used to be an assistant to Gettysburg coach Barry Streeter in the 1980s. "There's no question our defense will be challenged, especially by their running game."
Gettysburg's Tom Sturges, a 5-8, 165-pound junior, has rushed for almost twice the yardage of his nearest competitor in the conference, Dickinson's 5-11, 195-pound junior Mike D'Amico -- 1,080 to 597.
A tackler who will be tested for Dickinson is junior linebacker Eric Dube, who has 93. He set a school record with 20 tackles against Hampden-Sydney, including 11 solos.
"This will be our final home game," Merris said, "so it will be kind of special for us"
Dickinson expects its defense to be put to test
Friday, November 03, 2006
BY BOB BLACK Of The Patriot-News
Former West Perry receiver Clay Merris realizes he is part of a senior-laden offense that has led Dickinson to a 7-1 record that includes a 4-0 record in the Centennial Conference.
But he also knows that if Dickinson is to clinch the league crown by beating visiting Gettysburg (4-4, 2-2) in a 1 p.m. battle for The Little Brown Bucket tomorrow at Biddle Field, it will be the defense that will be challenged.
"I think both teams have comparable offenses," said Merris, in his fourth season as a receiver for the Red Devils. "We knew coming into this season that we'd have the weapons to score some points. But our defense has really come through for us in what has been a really good season."
While Gettysburg is coming off its most disappointing game of the season (a 54-14 Centennial loss at Muhlenberg), the Red Devils scored a come-from-behind 22-21 nonleague win at Hampden-Sydney.
In that game Dickinson's defense shut down Hampden-Sydney in the final quarter while the offense scored a pair of touchdowns over a 4:45 span.
"I knew back in the only game we lost this season [31-28 at Hobart] that we were going to be a good football team," Dickinson coach Darwin Breaux said. "We played a nationally ranked team off their feet on their field and were just as good as they were. Since then, we've been a very solid team and won a tough game last week."
Included among the 17 seniors on the team along with quarterback Matt Torchia has been defensive leader Andrew Ackley, a safety who set a career interception record this season and now has 20.
The Red Devils will be facing the Centennial's second-most efficient quarterback in Gettysburg freshman Matt Flynn who has a 133.5 rating, right behind Torchia's 134.4.
"[Gettysburg has] a very solid offense," said Breaux, who used to be an assistant to Gettysburg coach Barry Streeter in the 1980s. "There's no question our defense will be challenged, especially by their running game."
Gettysburg's Tom Sturges, a 5-8, 165-pound junior, has rushed for almost twice the yardage of his nearest competitor in the conference, Dickinson's 5-11, 195-pound junior Mike D'Amico -- 1,080 to 597.
A tackler who will be tested for Dickinson is junior linebacker Eric Dube, who has 93. He set a school record with 20 tackles against Hampden-Sydney, including 11 solos.
"This will be our final home game," Merris said, "so it will be kind of special for us"
posted by Pat McConnell | 6:03 AM
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