Shelby takes on Ontario, my ramblings and pick
I guess I got caught up in the excitement of tonight’s Jake Paul/Tyson fight that I forgot all about Shelby/Ontario, Round 2…
Ha, I was 1-1 last week, The Whippets got rolling in the fourth quarter and beat OG 26-14. Ontario outsmarted me (which most 5 year olds do) and clocked Clyde, 38-7, impressive victory for the Warriors.
But off we go to Arlin Field for the rematch that everyone has been waiting for.
Shelby (12-0) vs. Ontario (11-1), Bodpegn Miller and Brayden DeVito, the high powered Whippet offense against the stingy Ontario defense. The stingy Shelby defense against the high powered Ontario offense. A trip to the regional finals is on the line. What more could we ask for in week 13…
Let’s start with Miller and DeVito, the two best players in our area and two of the best in the state.
Miller ran for 278 yards October 18th, can the Whippet defense stop the elusive Ohio State commit. Miller also had two impressive interceptions that night. Miller has 1,685 yards rushing on the year and 17 TDs. Miller has also thrown for 1,824 yards and 17 passing TDs, Miller also has intercepted four passes on the season.
DeVito’s numbers are even more impressive… DeVito, who has to be a finalist for Ohio’s Mr. Football, accounted for an amazing 498 total yards and seven touchdowns on October 18th. DeVito threw for 313 yards and three touchdowns. The junior also ran for 185 yards and four touchdowns. A game that should have cemented him as district player of the year and an Ohio Mr. Football finalist. The junior QB DeVito has thrown for 3,413 yards, gained 1,333 yards rushing, caught four passes for an unbelievable 54 total touchdowns. DeVito also has a pick six and a receiving TD on the year.
DeVito has also found 11 different receivers to catch passes this year, led by sensation sophomore, Brady Bowman. Bowman has caught 74 passes for 1,376 yards and 12 TDs on the season. The speedster has also ran for 149 yards and a touchdown. Sure-handed, Nic Eyster has caught 46 passes, gaining 771 yards and 6 touchdowns. Eyster has also thrown for a touchdown. Kaden Price (18-418-3), Avery Lambert (16-339-3) and Michael Shepherd (14-242-4) round out the top five receivers for the Whippets.
The Whippets come into the game averaging nearly 500 yards/game. Shelby is averaging 203 yards on the ground and 292 yards in the air, totaling 495 yards/game.
Can the Warrior defense, which has limited the opposition to only 85 yards rushing/game and 146 yards passing, allowing only 231 total offense/game, slow down the Whippet offense.
Rinse and repeat…Can the Hungry Hounds defense, which is allowing only 241 total yards/game, 103 on the ground and 138 in the air, slow down the Warrior’ offense?
The Warrior offense has amassed 3,375 yards on the ground, led by Miller, who has 1,685 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. Mason Vantillburg has gained 982 yards and 18 touchdowns rushing and James Mahon has 420 yards on the ground and 3 TDs.
Miller has thrown for 1,824 yards and 17 touchdowns. Jon Mahon leads the Warrior receivers, catching 29 passes for 491 yards and five TDs. Landon Flotz has 2 catches, 433 yards and four touchdowns.
I know, enough with the stats and just give my all-important pick. It really is a 50/50 game, but two things are going in favor of the Whippets…I haven’t picked against them all year, and I’m not about to start that tonight and let’s be honest, I’m a biased Whippet, so I’m going with Shelby in a close one.
