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4A No. 7 Lowell (11-1) at Morton (11-1) |
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Week
13 - Football Game of the Week Preview|
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4A No. 7 Lowell (11-1) at Morton (11-1) |
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A
USA-365.com Special Report by Mark Smith
11-13-2009
When:
7:00 p.m., CST on Friday, Nov. 13, 2009
Where: Morton
High School - 6915 Grand Ave, Hammond, IN. (Morton is two blocks west of
169th and Cline Ave. in Hammond)
TV/Radio/Internet:
WGVE (88.7) FM, WWCA (1270) AM, WTMK (88.5) FM (live play-by-play);
WLPR (89.1) FM (updates
from all four NW Indiana regionals and will join the second half live for
play-by play)
Highlights: Lakeshore TV football recap show, 10:30 - 11
p.m. Comcast Cable Ch. 17.
Tickets: $6
Tickets area available 7-9 p.m. Thursday night at Lowell and also from 10-to-12
noon Friday at Lowell. They're also selling the sectional championship
sweatshirts for $15 and $20. You know you want one. And the money goes to
the athletic department. I can't promise you there will be unlimited
tickets sold at Morton Friday night. Morton is in the regional for the
first time in the 37-year history of the state tournament. They should
draw a big crowd, but the Morton grandstand seats about 5,000.
Enrollment: Morton - 4A enrollment - 1,315; LOWELL - 4A enrollment -
1,224
To the winner: Morton is on the road for the semistate under any
circumstances and that game would almost certainly be a Saturday night game due
to the travel distance. This is their final home game win or lose.
Lowell would host Bishop Dwenger (13-0) on Friday Nov. 20 or travel to Muncie to
play Delta (13-0) on Nov. 21 in the 4A Northern Semistate.
Weather: Very, very good. Daytime temperatures Friday are
forecast in the upper 50s, which means temps in the low 50s and upper 40s for
the game. The field will be dry and the winds will be light. This is
as good as you can hope for in mid-November in Lake County, Indiana.
Parking: The parking situation at Morton is not good.
There's just not enough space for all the people who say they are coming.
I would get to Morton very early. Before 6:30 p.m. I can guarantee
you that you will not be able to just shuffle up to the ticket window at 6:45
p.m. It's not going to work like that. Also, Morton always has
charged a parking fee. Last time I was there it was $2. I know you
don't want to pay to park, but come on. It's $2. Keep in mind,
Morton does not get to keep the profits from this game. All gate receipts
after the sectional go to the IHSAA. Let 'em make a few dollars on the
side.
The
HISTORY:
FAST FOOTBALL FACT:
HAMMOND: Morton is located in Hessville, a settlement that actually predates the city of Hammond. Joseph Hess, a Frenchman, moved from Chicago in the late 1840s and opened a motel style business for train passengers traveling from Michigan to Chicago. Later, Hess opened a general store, a blacksmith shop and a post-office in the area that is now 169th. The town of "Hessville" was incorporated into Hammond in 1923.
Hammond's home turf is Maury Zlotnick Field
because Maury Zlotnick was the first coach of Morton football. He rolled
up a record of 116-94-9 in 24 seasons from 1952 to 1975 and his Governors were
undefeated in 1961 (9-0) and 1965 (10-0).
Morton High School opened in 1957 and was a power until the 1990s, when declining enrollment hurt them in all sports. In 2002, the Governors (10-2) scored 436 points in 12 games, but they were not facing the schedule they play now. To call Morton a football power just yet disagrees with history. The Governors have never won more than 10 games in any season and last week's sectional championship was the first in the 37-year history of state tourney play. But there is no question they are on the rise. That ascent accelerates to the fast track if a large home crowd watches the Governors defeat Lowell this Friday.
For the future of Morton football, a loss in front of 6,000 fans would be better than a win in front of a small crowd of mostly Lowell backers. The Governors usually play well against Lowell and they rallied from a 21-6 fourth quarter deficit to win 24-21 in sectional play in 2002. Another win over the Devils would not be the biggest win in Morton history, but it would be the biggest win in the state tournament era of Morton football.
4A No.10 Morton
Coach: Roy Richards (71-51) 11th year
Enrollment: 1,159
2008 record: 7-5*
Sectional titles (1) 2009
Regional titles: (0)
Semistate titles: (0)
*lost 4A Sect. 9 championship game 21-7 at Griffith on Nov. 7, 2008.
Morton Governors (11-1)
8-21 (W) 20-0 at Griffith (6-5)
8-28 (L) 25-34 Lowell (11-1)
9-4 (W) 41-3 Clark (8-2)
9-11 (W) 36-3 at Highland (1-9)
9-18 (W) 14-13 Munster (7-3)
9-25 (W) 35-24 at Hammond (6-5)
10-2 (W) 47-18 at West Side (6-5)
10-9 (W) 49-13 Hobart (4-8)
10-16 (W) 53-0 Gavit (2-8)
Class 4A Sectional 9
10-23 (W) 14-0 at Highland (1-9)
10-30 (W) 34-20 Griffith (6-5)
11-6 (W) 42-0 at Hobart (4-8)
Class 4A Regional
11-13 (F) LOWELL (11-1) 7 p.m.
4A No. 7 LOWELL
Coach: Kirk Kennedy (152-69 years) 19 years
Enrollment: 1,224
2008 record: 13-1*
Sectional titles: (10) 1992, 1994, 1999, 2003-2009
Regional titles: (5) 1994, 1999, 2005, 2007, 2008
Semistate titles: (2) 2005, 2007
State titles: (1) 2005
*Lost 4A Semistate 38-22 at Bishop Dwenger in 2008
LOWELL Red Devils
(11-1)
8-21 (W) 19-0 Crown Point (3-7)
8-28 (W) 34-25 at Morton (10-1)
9-4 (W) 40-13 at KV (3-7)
9-11 (W) 35-19 Griffith (6-5)
9-18 (W) 42-0 Highland (1-9)
9-25 (W) 35-0 at Hobart (4-7)
10-2 (W) 63-0 Hammond (6-5)
10-9 (L) 13-15 at Munster (7-3)
10-16 (W) 25-21 Andrean (9-3)
4A Sectional 10
10-23 (W) 14-6 at Plymouth (9-1)
10-30 (W) 24-7 (SB) Washington (8-3)
11-6 (W) 60-23 Concord (8-4)
Class 4A Regional
11-13 (F) at Morton (11-1)
Indiana High School All-time
career leading rushers*
*according to the IHSAA
Name - School - Last season - Total yards
1. Otis Shannon Cathedral 2000 7,560
2. Nick Zachery Sheridan 2008 7,331
3. Brandon Robinson Heritage 1998 7,303
4. Luke Schmidt Jasper 2005 7,275
5. Darren Evans Warren Central 2006 7,220
6. Alex Smith Franklin County 1992 6,895
7. Brett Law Sheridan 1989 6,864
8. Dwight Brown Perry Central 2005 6,607
9. Tyler Gholston Floyd Central 2003 6,509
10. Chris Spillmann Owen Valley 2000 6,465
11. Seth Rainey Mount Vernon 2002 6,437
12. Josh Smith Attica 2000 6,392
13. Ricky Crider Evansville Reitz 2005 6,356
14. Kevin Cartwright Jasper 1995 6,355
15. Cory Jacquay New Haven 2001 6,318
16. Robbi Petre Clinton Central 2000 6,080
17. Bo Hundt Bremen 1992 6,031
18. Bryan Schroeder North Harrison 2006 6,003
19. Israel Thompson Martinsville 1996 5,977
20. Derrick Ellis Arlington 1999 5,859
21. Andrew Wolf East Central 1998 5,808
22. Pete Buchanan Plymouth 1977 5,772
23. Drew Leer Lakeland 2001 5,683
24. Travis Hollingsworth Western Boone 1990 5,662
25. Brandon Grubbe LOWELL 2009 5,411
NW Indiana
all-time leading rushers
1. Brandon Grubbe - LOWELL -
2007-2009 - 5,411 yards
2. Mike Barsich - Whiting - 1991-1994 - 5,062
3. Paul Strabavy - Whiting - 1995-1998 - 5,024
4. Matt Handlon - Valpo - 1998-2000 - 4,600
5. Andrew Patten - Wheeler - 2002-2004 - 4,497
6. Tyler Radtke - Griffith -1999-2001 - 4,428
7. Airrence Shark - LaPorte - 2004-2007 - 4,215
8. Michael Pickett - LOWELL - 1992-1994 - 4,198
FOUR KEYS TO THE GAME:
1. Lowell should be getting used to this passing.
Washington threw 36 passes against Lowell two weeks ago. Concord threw 25
passes against Lowell last week. Morton is not going to re-invent the
wheel at the regional. The Governors alternate quarterbacks and that's
what they'll do this Friday. Halfback Kalyn Aaron has rushed for 1,000
yards and he's going to get 15-20 carries. But he won't gain much unless
Morton's passing duo of junior Andrew Glidewell (6-6, 180) and sophomore Chris
McCormack (6-1, 185) can hurt the Devils throwing the ball. Lowell has had
a lot of practice against four wide receiver attacks the last two weeks.
2. How much more do you want?
Morton had never won a sectional championship in the 37 years of the state
tournament. Lowell's players had spoken of feeling pressure to continue
the school's sectional football championship streak, which is now at seven.
One question Friday for both sides will be: Now that you've achieved your season
goal, how much more do you want? The pressure is off, but the playoffs are
only half over. Did you prepare in your mind to be playing in the 13th
week of the season or is it a surprise to you? Lowell expected to be
playing this week. I don't know that Morton did. But Morton is at
home. the further you go in the playoffs, the bigger advantage it is to be
at home.
3. Rushing the passer gets easier
The boys say it's much easier to rush the quarterback on artificial turf.
You don't slip in the mud when the offensive linemen make contact with you.
If Lowell's fastest rusher, Joe Bell, can cause so much trouble that he draws a
double team, it's going to make it very difficult for the Governors to keep
Lowell's other linemen off the quarterbacks. The Governors have to roll
their QBs out. They cannot stand in the pocket and throw. Nobody's
done that successfully against Lowell. The Devils have to make Morton's
QBs, Chris McCormack (6-1, 185) and Andrew Glidewell (6-6, 180) roll to their
left, not to their right.
4. Punts will be big plays
Morton has punted only 29 times all season. They did not punt in either
game against Hobart earlier in the season and again last week and they did not
punt in the 53-0 win over Gavit four weeks ago. Lowell blocks a lot of
kicks. Morton linemen must block on punting and extra point plays well.
The Governors have to beware that Brandon Grubbe is Lowell's punter. He
has not run a fake punt all season, but that's no guarantee that he won't.
SPECIALS?
If I'm MORTON: You've got to get
some screen passes or shovel passes in the game plan to slow Lowell's pass rush.
Morton cannot block Lowell's rush to a spot. On the dry artificial turf,
the Devils are too fast. The Governors have to roll the QB out.
Morton's alternating QB scheme helps here, because they get a fresh passer in on
every play. I'd also run a pitch sweep halfback pass. Lowell's
secondary isn't the most disciplined and they will 'bite' on the run fake.
If I'm LOWELL: I have not see it all year, but I'd run the
'Wildcat'. With speedy Cole Midgett crossing in front of him for a run
fake, I'd turn Brandon Grubbe loose behind a seven man line with two blocking
backs. Lowell can also have a shovel pass to the tight end going 'against
the grain'. If they pick the right spot for it, Joe Bell would run free
into the secondary.
Lowell's Halfback Hall-of-Fame
1,000-yard rushers for Lowell since 1990
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. Brandon Grubbe (2009) 307 carries, 1,905 yards
5. Brandon Grubbe (2008) 316 caries, 1,831 yards
6. Matt Pernick (1996) 229 carries, 1,827 yards
7. Michael Pickett (1993) 273 carries, 1,687 yards
8. Brandon Grubbe (2007) 281 caries, 1,675 yards
9. Justin Henley (2002) 1467 carries, 1,552 yards
10. Justin Henley (2003) 227 carries, 1,413 yards
11. Mike French (2000) 220 carries, 1,382 yards
12. Matt Pernick (1995) 175 carries, 1,349 yards
13. Max Znika (2006) 224 carries, 1,302 yards
14. Mike French (1999) 226 carries, 1,280 yards
15. Sean Anderson (2001) 242 carries, 1.048 yards
16. Nick Holley (1997) 131 carries, 1,014 yards
17. Steffan Peck (2006) 198 carries, 995 yards
18. Chris Goult (1999) 156 carries, 949 yards
MORTON (11-1) Update
HAMMOND: Morton is led by defensive tackle John Anderson (6-0, 230),
who has 115 tackles and linebacker Eddie Malatinka (6-3, 220), who has 12 sacks
and 100 tackles. I'm not sure why Morton gave up so many yards rushing to
Lowell (298 yards on 52 carries) in the first meeting, but they will be
determined to do better Friday. Morton held Highland (89 yards), Griffith
(99) and Hobart (45) under 100 yards, but none of those teams had anybody like
Brandon Grubbe (300 carries 1,905 yards), who they did not see in August because
he did not play against Morton in August. The Governors have to remember
to tackle and not hit. Grubbe, backup Jordan Juarez and fullback Nate
Cleveland are big backs who can bounce off simple efforts to hit.
Morton must get 15-20 touches for 1,00-yard halfback Kalyn Aaron (6-0,185), who gained 119 yards on 10 carries. But they won't win playing Lowell's run-all-night game. The Governors have to get the ball outside the hash marks to wide receiver John Miller (6-0, 180), Jerry Watson (6-0, 175) and Cody Moczynski (5-10, 170).
Morton needs to be patient and take quick short strikes that could turn into big
gains against the small Lowell secondary.
Kicker Nick Bogucki was 6-of-6 on extra points against Hobart, but he was 2-of-4
against Griffith two weeks ago. Alfredo Gutierrez has one field goal this
year from 32 yards away but the Governors attempt a lot of two-point
conversions. Extra points are not a sure thing.
Andrew Glidewell (15 TD passes), a junior, passed and ran for a TD in last
week's win over Hobart, but Chris McCormack (6 TD passes), a sophomore, tossed
two TDs in the 14-0 sectional win over Highland. There are a couple of
advantages to a two-QB shuffle (less fatigue, secure play calling) but there are
some drawbacks. Lowell can change defensive personnel after the
alternating QB enters with the play. The two different QBs also have
different strengths that Lowell will know from playing the Governors previously.
But Morton has to stop Lowell and they've stopped everybody else. The
Governors have scored first in all 12 games this season and they have outscored
the opposition 115-16 in the first quarter. Morton has lost 13 fumbles
this year and they have drawn 69 penalties for almost 500 yards.
LOWELL (11-1) Update
Lowell has been better in the post-season than they were in the regular season.
The final two games of the regular season saw the Devils lose 15-13 at Munster
and then rally from a 21-10 deficit to beat Andrean 25-21.
But in the post-season, they led all the way to win at No. 6 Plymouth 14-6 and never trailed in a 24-7 win over No. 9 South Bend Washington. Last week, Concord jumped to a 17-14 lead in the sectional championship game, but Lowell proved unstoppable with 525 yards rushing on 61 carries in a 60-23 runaway win. Halfback Brandon Grubbe gained over 200 yards for the second consecutive week. Grubbe has nine 100-yard plus games in a row and he is at 1,905 yards in 307 carries. In the post season, Lowell has gone to playing Grubbe and junior Jordan Juarez (6-0, 200) in the backfield at the same time to keep the opposition from ganging up on Grubbe and Juarez gained 124 yards on 10 carries last week against Concord.
Fullback Nate Cleveland (6-4, 215) gained 77 yards on eight carries and wide
receiver Cole Midgett scored on a 20-yard run. Lowell has a full house
backfield formation where all five runners are on the field at the same time.
The Red Devil offensive line of center Anthony DeMario (6-1,194) guards Tyler Wright (6-4, 233) and Chad Ulanowski (5-10, 215) plus tackles Luke Mitrisin (6-3, 281) and Dominic Rebesco (6-2, 215) has been steadily improving and they won a major battle with a hard-hitting South Bend Washington team in the sectional semifinals. Washington got the best of the first half battle at the point of attack, but by the end of the game, Lowell was controlling the line of scrimmage.
The Lowell offensive line totally dominated the Concord game, responding to every early score and breaking down the Minuteman defense. Lowell has not developed a passing attack this season, but their passing is always inversely parallel the success they have running the ball. Lowell has 1,124 yards rushing in three playoff games, all against winning teams. Senior QB Ray Skamay is 37-of-90 for 620 yards, but Lowell has played in some very poor conditions where it made no sense to attempt to throw the ball. Also, Lowell's game plan is to keep the other team's defense on the field and wear them down. The Devils were successful doing that in the earlier game against Morton. Lowell has not thrown the ball to high jumping tight end Joe Bell (6-4, 205) near the goal line and you may see that this week.
Lowell's defense has 22 quarterback sacks, but just 10 interceptions. It's
not a overstatement to say that Lowell has dropped at least 10 other potential
interceptions. They need turnovers against a Morton team that scored three
TD passes in the earlier meeting.
Place kicker Boge Pejoski has improved dramatically. He has field goals of 20, 24 and 30 yards in the last four games and he was 7-for-7 on extra points last week against Concord. In the expected good conditions, he will be a factor Friday. Grubbe is a surprisingly good punter. He averaged 39 yards a boot on four kicks in the showdown game with undefeated Plymouth. Neither of these boys had been kickers before this season. Lowell is a mediocre kick return team. They do well on punts, but they seem tentative on kickoff returns.
Lowell has lost only seven fumbles all season and just one in the last five
weeks. Lowell has committed only 42 penalties all season, losing just 343
yards.
The Bottom Line...
SAGARIN RATINGS: Lowell by LOWELL By 12
The spread here is obviously based on strength of schedule. Morton's only
game against a team rated in the Top-50 state wide is the loss to Lowell.
The Devils have faced and defeated Concord (No. 39), Washington (no. 27) and
Plymouth (No. 14), all Top-50 teams.
HAMMOND: Morton has not seen Lowell halfback Brandon Grubbe since
August of 2008 when he scored three TDs in a 57-20 win over Morton. He
carried only six times against the Governors in 2007 and he did not play when
the two teams met this August. Many Governors are seeing him for the first
time and that's not a good scenario.
I see Grubbe scoring a TD in the first
quarter in what will be a defensive struggle. Lowell will control the ball
much of the middle two quarters, but will have to settle for field goals by
fast-improving Boge Pejoski.
Morton will be frustrated early, but
Glidewell will throw a third quarter TD pass to cut the lead to 13-7 and a field
goal by Nick Bogucki after a turnover narrows the lead early in the fourth
quarter.
But a reverse by Cole Midgett sets up
another Grubbe TD and Morton fails on fourth down in two final drives.
In Northwest Indiana this season, I do not recall a rematch that didn't go to
the same team that won the regular season game. Rematches are usually
closer than the first game, but even with a very large crowd expected to back
the Governors and perfect field and weather conditions, it's hard to see Morton
stopping a Red Devil rushing attack that has worn down better teams than the
Governors.
Lowell's Sectional 10 run got them ready for anything Morton can throw at them figuratively and literally.
LOWELL 23, Morton 10