Week 13 -  Football Game of the Week Preview

4A No. 6 Lowell (11-1) at Griffith (9-3)

A USA-365.com Special Report by Mark Smith
11-09-2007
 
 

When:  Friday, November 09, 2007at 7:00 p.m., CST.
Where:  Griffith High School, 600 N. Wiggs St., 6 block south of Ridge Road, Griffith, IN.
Tickets:  $6 (Remember - ticket prices go up for the regional.  It'll be $7 next week at semistate.)
TV/Radio:  WTMK (88.5) FM, WJOB (1230) AM

Weather:  Low 40s, clear and dry.  Hard on the fans but very good for the style of play of both teams.

Parking:  The 'Boneyard' seats about 2,500 and with 98% of all other teams done for the season, this will be a standing room only crowd, even with the cold weather persuading some people to stay home.  Lowell fans need to be prepared to stand because the visitors stands probably don't seat more than 500.  There is very little parking at Griffith for an event of this magnitude, but if you arrive an hour before the game, you should be able to park in front of the school.  The best place to park at Griffith is at the south end of the athletic complex because you can sit in your car and see the field.  This is a neighborhood field so it's not wide open and wind swept like Lowell, Kankakee Valley and Crown Point.

You are next to the Griffith school building so there are places here to get out of the wind.  If you do not arrive early, you will be on the neighborhood side streets surrounding the school.  It's a lot like Hobart in that respect.  Please do not block driveways because there will be cars everywhere.

35th State Football Tournament -Regionals

Nov. 9, 2007 Regionals - Friday - 7:00 p.m.

No. 6 LOWELL (11-1) at Griffith (9-3)
Jay County (9-3) at No. 1 Bishop Dwenger (12-0), Saturday night - 6:00 p.m. (CST)
No. 4 (Indianapolis) Cathedral (10-2) at Westfield (9-3)
No. 5 Columbus East (11-1) at No. 2 (Evansville) Reitz (12-0), Saturday afternoon - 1:00 p.m. (CST)

The Semistate:  Lowell would host Bishop Dwenger (12-0) or Jay County (9-3) at the semistate level.  Griffith would be on the road for the semistate under any scenario.  Why would Jay County, which plays at Dwenger Friday, not host Lowell if they won?  The IHSAA tiebreaker for two teams that were on the road in the prior playoff week (in Class 2A and 4A) is the higher sectional number.  Jay County is from Sectional 12 and Lowell is from Sectional 10.  But there is an IHSAA rule that says that a team that is on the road for the sectional and the regional 'automatically' hosts the semistate unless their semistate foe has done the same thing.  Jay County hosted the sectional title game against Muncie South.  A Griffith game at Bishop Dwenger might be Saturday night because it's 2-1/2 hours to Fort Wayne.

A Griffith game at Jay County would definitely be Saturday because Jay County (Portland, Indiana) is officially in the middle of nowhere.  It's easier to get to Indianapolis than it is to Jay County, which is northeast of Muncie on the Ohio state line.

The Series:  Every year that Griffith has had a varsity football team (73 years), they have played Lowell.  It's the second oldest continuous rivalry in Lake County next to Clark and Whiting (74 years).  Griffith leads 49-23-3.

Griffith and Lowell are two of a kind.  Small town schools with limited enrollment who have come to see high school football as their favorite sport.  The Panthers won the 1997 Class 3A state title with a 14-1 record, but the more impressive number is that they've won 15 sectional titles in the 35 years of the state tournament.  Carmel, which has won 21 sectionals, is the all-time leader, but its safe to say that Griffith does it with a lot less resources (read: money) than Carmel.

Coach Russ Radtke (143-46) didn't build Griffith into a powerhouse when he took over the head football coaching job in 1993.  The first extended success Griffith had in football came under coach Les Thornton from 1975-1992.  Thornton began running what was then called the wishbone rushing offense and the program soared to consecutive big winning seasons in 1988 (9-2), 1989 (10-1), 1990 (9-3), 1991 (11-2) and 1992 (11-1).  The Panthers stayed strong when Radtke came over from North Judson, a school he'd built into a power in the 1970s and 80s.

The Panthers were 11-2 in 1994 and 11-1 in 1995, but they finally reached the promised land with a 49-7 win over Hamilton Southeastern in the 1997 state championship game.  What's forgotten about that year is that, other than an August loss to Hobart, the closest anyone came to beating Griffith was a Sept. 26 game when the Panthers beat Lowell 20-13.  It's fair to say that Griffith football has acquired somewhat of a "bad boy" image.  The team that wants not only to beat you but to rub it in.  However fair it is, the Panthers are known throughout Lake County for outrageous pre and post-game behavior.

Their fans and players love the image, no matter what they say.  There were some post-game words after the last regular-season decision in the Lowell-Griffith game in September, but despite what you may hear this week, there isn't a history of long-standing animosity between Lowell and Griffith.  Just two very similar towns and teams who have met on the high school football field for as long as anybody can remember.

These teams are perfectly suited for where they play.  They are the quintessential Northwest Indiana hard-running, small-but-quick teams that win hard-fought quickly-played games in front of undyingly loyal fan followings.  Griffith fans might say Lowell plays Griffith-style football.  To them, that's the ultimate compliment.

Class 4A Griffith (9-3)
Coach: Russ Radtke (134-43) 14 seasons
Enrollment: 962
2006 record: 12-2
Sectional titles: (15)inclduing  2005, 2006 and 2007
Regional titles: (5) 1991, 1994, 1997, 2005  and 2006
Semistate titles: (1) 1997
State titles: (1) 1997
*Lost 35-7 at Norwell in the semistate championship game  on Nov. 18, 2006.

Griffith Panthers (9-3)
(W) 35-21 Morton (6-5)
(L) 6-14 at Merrillville (11-1)
(L) 14-24 Hobart (8-4)    
(W) 29-28 (OT) at Lowell (11-1)
(W) 42-0 KV (4-7)
(W) 34-29 Munster (3-7)
(W) 46-7 at Highland (1-10)
(L) 27-28 (OT) at Andrean (9-3)
(W) 38-6 East Chicago (6-5)

4A Sectional (10)
(W) 37-34 at Morton (6-5)
(W) 41-0 Highland (1-10)
(W) 17-14 at Hobart (8-4)

4A Regional
11-9 (F) Lowell (11-1)

4A Semistate
11-16 at Bishop Dwenger (12-0)


Class 4A Lowell (11-1)
Coach: Kirk Kennedy  (130-65, 16 years)
Enrollment: 1,247
2006 record: 7-6*
Sectional titles: (8)1992, 1994, 1999, 2003, 04, 05, 06, 07
Regional titles:  (3) 1994, 1999, 2005
Semistate titles: (1) 2005
State titles: (1) 2005
*Lost 33-14 to 4A state finalist Concord in the 2006 regional championship game

Lowell Red Devils (11-1)
(W) 23-14 CP (8-3)
(W) 3-0 at Morton (5-5)
(W) 38-0 at KV (4-7)
(L) 28-29 (OT) GRIFFITH (9-3)
(W) 39-0 HIGHLAND (1-10)
(W) 10-7 at HOBART (8-4)
(W) 24-0 Hammond (9-2)
(W) 37-19 at MUNSTER (3-7)
(W) 31-3 ANDREAN (9-3)

4A Sectional (10)
(W) 54-13 Logansport (7-3)
(W) 14-8 at Plymouth (5-6)
(W) 31-21 at Concord (8-4)

4A Regional
11-9 (F) at Griffith (9-3)

4A Semistate
11-16 (F) vs. Bishop Dwenger (12-0)


LOWELL 1,000-yard rushers - single season

1. Scott Gray (2005) - 323 carries, 2,336 yards
2. Michael Pickett (1994) - 339 carries, 2,256 yards
3. Toby Goetz (2004) - 276 carries, 1,939 yards
4. Matt Pernick (1996) - 229 carries, 1,827 yards
5. Michael Pickett (1993) - 273 carries, 1,687 yards
6. Justin Henley (2002) - 147 carries, 1,552 yards
7. Brandon Grubbe (2007) - 221 carries, 1,457 yards 
8. Justin Henley (2003) - 227 carries, 1,413 yards
9. Mike French (2000) - 220 carries, 1,382 yards
10. Matt Pernick (1995) - 175 carries, 1,349 yards

Steffan Peck has 817 yards on 181 carries in this 2007 season.  In the state tournament era (1973-present) Lowell has never had two 1,000-yard rushers in the same season.

4A, No. 6 LOWELL (11-1) at GRIFFITH (9-3)

Sagarin computer ratings:  Lowell by 5

GRIFFITH (11-09-2007) -  That spread seems about correct since Lowell hasn't lost a game in regulation time this year.  Honestly, the only week in 2007 in which you might have seen evidence that Griffith was better than Lowell was the night the two teams met.  Lowell has played much better against most common opponents, especially Merrillville and Andrean, two schools that are still playing.  Lowell has played the 49th toughest schedule in the state and Griffith has played the 55th toughest slate, according to the computer.  These are evenly matched teams and both are ranked in the top-10 in the state according to the Sagarin ratings.

Griffith has been resourceful in the playoffs, beating Morton (6-5) and Hobart (9-3) by three points each.  The key to the Panthers' offense, as always, is the quarterback.  This year, senior Derek Hitt (5-11, 175), who sparked a 340-yard output in Griffith's 29-28 win over Lowell on Sept. 7, has been the key man.  Hitt is very good running the option.  When he hands off to fullback Kyle Najar (5-11, 170) it is almost impossible to tell who has the ball.  That's why the Panthers have run for 200 or more yards nine times in 12 games.  When they are stopped, most often it is because they stop themselves with penalties or fumbles.

Halfback David Alexander (6-2, 175) has scored 15 touchdowns despite some minor injuries.  He'll play Friday, but there is some talk he may not be 100%.  Alexander has 4.6 speed when healthy, so if he's slowed by injury, he could still be a serious decoy on offense.  Hitt is 59-of-118 through the air for 1,020 yards, 13 TDs and nine interceptions and that's over 18 yards per completion so he can make the big pass play.  But the Panthers are so effective and deceptive running the ball, that they are doing you a favor when they throw it on first or second down.

The Griffith line is anchored by Brad (Big Country) Hardin (6-7, 255), a move-in from Kouts.  Senior Zack Macak (6-1, 215) is probably the leader in the line, which will be very effective Friday if they stay out of obvious passing situations.  Brett Schoon (6-3, 241), Mike Tinich (5-9, 191) and Justin Louie (6-1, 201) have been capable.  Former fullback Doug Ashenbaugh (6-3, 201) moved to tight end this year and blocked well for a sectional champ.  You want to keep an eye on him Friday because he could line up at a lot of different positions and be a pass target for Hitt.

But the Panthers might look better than they are because the quarterback is so deceptive with the ball.  Hitt gained 81 yards on 29 carries last week in Griffith's 17-14 victory over Hobart.  The Panthers don't really pitch the ball out often and this season, when it gets serious, Hitt doesn't give it up at all.  Hitt rarely fumbles, considering the fact that the Panthers QB and fullback have a nearly simultaneous possession on the first leg of each option run.

The QB can beat you here running the ball.  Griffith became the only NW Indiana team which has ever had a quarterback run for 2,000 yards when coach Russ Radtke's son Tyler carried 321 times for 2,114 yards in 2000.  If you can't affect that first connection on the option, this offense becomes almost unstoppable.

Griffith kicker Jacob Melton lifted the boot that won the game last week and he is a threat from 40 yards in.  Melton has only three field goals, but that's probably because coach Radtke is not big on kicking them.  Melton, a varsity soccer player, does have all three field goals in his last four games.

Defensively, the Panthers have had ups and downs.  Junior linebacker Mark Butkus (6-3, 191) has 110 tackles and four QB sacks.  Mark's brother Zack Butkus (6-3, 191) and Ashenbaugh, who doubles as the defense end, have combined for 12-1/2 sacks.  Griffith, like Lowell, is better suited to confront passing teams than rushing squads, especially when Alexander is healthy and can be a top cornerback.

This is a gambling defense that gave up 316 yards to Morton on Oct. 19 in a 37-34 Griffith win.  But this is also a defense that held Lowell to 191 yards on Sept. 7 and they'll bring everyone up tight to stop the run until Lowell proves they can throw the ball.

Lowell posted 31 points last week, but they were facing a team that does not stop the run.  Griffith sells out to stop the run so the focus will be on the Red Devil offensive line, led by senior Geno Wentworth (6-2, 240), senior guard David Lang (6-0, 205) and senior Josh Hayden (5-11, 210).

The biggest question this Friday is whether Lowell sophomore halfback Brandon Grubbe (5-10, 170), who carried the ball a grand total of one time in the Sept. 7 game, will make a difference in the regional title game.  Grubbe (221 carries, 1,457 yards) and fullback Steffan Peck (181 carries, 817 yards) have teamed to form the top gaining rushing duo still alive in Northwest Indiana.  Lowell is stubborn and they will run these two relentlessly.  Grubbe has gained 100 yards in each of Lowell's last four games and Peck is over 2,200 yards for his career.

Just like Griffith with Derek Hitt, if Peck and Grubbe are gaining yards, they will keep carrying the ball.  If Lowell gains four yards a carry, they will run the ball 7000 times in a row.  The Devils tight end Jeff Barker (6-4, 205) is the lead blocker on most plays.  But the defense can't assume that because he's also Lowell's top pass receiver.  If he gets single coverage, senior Eric Roadruck can run by the defense to catch a deep pass and Peck is also a capable pass receiver.  But Lowell wants to take eight or nine minutes to score so they can wear down the opposition.

QB Kurt Monix (43 of 80, 828 yards, 6 TDs, 4 INTs) will probably carry the ball more than he throws it.  Monix has a very strong arm and he will have open receivers because of how intense Griffith will be to stop Peck and Grubbe.  But Lowell's receivers have not had a great year holding onto the ball, so it would be out of character for Lowell to throw the ball early in the game.

Senior defensive linemen Jeff Barker (7-1/2 sacks), John Black (4-1/2 sacks) and Joe Carlson (10 sacks) have led a potent defensive assault, so Griffith will be very careful passing the ball.  This may not be an issue early in Friday's game because the Panthers threw the ball only five times last week and they don't throw much in obvious passing situations.  Unless they draw penalties, Lowell and Griffith are rarely in 3rd-and-long situations because they rarely throw on first down.

The Red Devil linebackers Justin Juarez (6-2, 220), David Eastling (6-0, 197), Ben Rigby (6-0, 170) and Bryan DeSomer (5-11, 176) have been very, very good.  Juarez was injured early in last week's game at Concord and did not return.  If he cant play, senior Danny Remboski (6-0, 190), who held Concord receiver Greg LeBold (6-3, 190) to one catch last week, will probably slide back into the linebacker spot, his natural position.

Lowell is very good in the secondary with junior Cody Midgett, and seniors Chris Thompson, TJ Lukasik and Lukas Palmer.  Lukasik was in on 19 tackles last week and Palmer, the safety, has six interceptions and 95 tackles on the year.

Lowell senior David Lang (8 field goals) will be kicking in his 14th playoff game and he has field goals that won the regional in 2006 against Hobart, the Semistate in 2005 against Fort Wayne South and he kicked the game-winning extra point in the Devils' 28-27 state title victory. Lang has 16 career field goals.

It's a third consecutive road playoff game for Lowell this week, and while they have not won at Griffith in five years, I'd guess they are happy not to be traveling 100 miles into another time zone and to be playing a very familiar team.  The 'devil' you know is better than the 'devil' you don't know.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN...

GRIFFITH - I was surprised at the 29-28 score of the earlier meeting between Griffith and Lowell and I'm pretty sure it's not going to be like that this time.  Lowell is going to pay special attention to fullback Kyle Najar, who hurt them in the earlier game and the Panthers will have trouble running wide.  Griffith had 26 first half offensive plays without a punt against Lowell in the first meeting after the Devils led 7-0.

This time the game will stay scoreless in the first period as both defenses gear up to stop the run and both coaches play things conservatively in the cold, windy conditions.  A long run by Brandon Grubbe will set up the first score, a field goal by David Lang.  Griffith will have a drive cut short by a fumble on the option and Kurt Monix will connect with Eric Roadruck for a long gain setting up a Steffan Peck TD run and 10-0 half-time lead.

The Panthers will rally as David Alexander will catch a short pass and turn it into a long TD run.  But as the game goes on, Lowell will find short, roll out passes to Peck and Jeff Barker are available against the Panthers, who will bring nine men to the front to stop Grubbe.  If you look at the Panthers defensively, more than one team has thrown on them.  Morton got 290 yards passing in the sectional quarterfinals.  Andrean passed for 207 yards against Griffith.  Lowell is never going to throw 20 times, but the Panthers are going to overload every running play defensively until the Devils take a shot downfield.

Griffith used David Alexander to cover Barker back in September.  But I think Roadruck and Grubbe can find open spaces once the Devils have established the run.  I think a TD pass-and-run from Monix to Grubbe ups the count to 17-7 in the third quarter.  Jacob Melton answers with a field goal after a long Panther drive.  But a screen pass to Steffan Peck grabs big yardage deep into Panthers territory and Grubbe scores on a shot run to open the game up.  A fumble will allow for another Lang field goal in the fourth period.

Lowell is a different team than they were on September 7.  Brandon Grubbe carried the ball once in that game.  QB Kurt Monix was 4-of-11 passing, David Lang missed a 31-yard field goal attempt and the Devils, for reasons I can't explain, lacked any sense of urgency until the second half.  None of those things are going to occur Friday.

Griffith is a relatively young team, while Lowell is senior-dominated with some boys who are playing their 14th playoff game.  If Griffith can get three turnovers they can win this game, but Lowell has 14 turnovers all season.  That's just not going to happen.

LOWELL 27, Griffith 10