Burmeister, Wolverines Face Toughest Test Yet as the Purple Hurricanes Blow in to Town

Scouting the Wolverines

Graham Burmeister was extremely efficient in Woodstock’s victory, completing 10 of 12 passes for 149 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The senior quarterback was even more impressive on the ground, rushing for 197 yards and three touchdowns as he continues to show why he is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the area.

Ryland Hubbard led Woodstock in receiving with four catches for 73 yards. On the season, Hubbard has hauled in 12 passes for 142 yards to lead the Wolverines.

Burmeister is already well on his way to another 1,000-yard rushing season, as the senior has accumulated 392 yards on the ground while completing 75 percent of his passes. His ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs will once again be the key to Woodstock’s offensive success.

Defensively, Djabril Ba continues to be a menace up front, picking up his first sack of the season last week. Ba is tied with safety Caleb Vigna for the team lead in tackles for loss. Vigna is having a breakout season and currently leads the Wolverines with 13 solo tackles.

Scouting the Canes

The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes will make their first trip to Woodstock on Friday night after making quick work of Mt. Zion-Jonesboro in a 49-14 victory. The Canes showed a little more balance offensively last week, throwing for 136 yards while rushing for 147. Junior quarterback Brayden Doss completed 77 percent of his passes for 129 yards and three touchdowns. On the season, Doss has thrown for 195 yards and rushed for a team-high 75 yards.

Maddox Davis has emerged as the primary receiving target for the Canes, hauling in eight passes for 175 yards and four touchdowns.

Cartersville’s defense is led by Cole Crawford, who is tied for the team lead with seven total tackles. But the real challenge for Woodstock will be the overall speed and physicality of a Cartersville defense that has plenty of playmakers.

Keys to the Game

Woodstock Wolverines

• Give Graham Burmeister opportunities to make plays both through the air and on the ground.

• Find ways to establish the run outside of Burmeister.

• Get Djabril Ba and the defensive front into the Cartersville backfield.

• Limit big plays from Maddox Davis and the Canes’ passing attack.

Cartersville Purple Hurricanes

• Make Graham Burmeister uncomfortable and limit his rushing opportunities.

• Let Grayson Villar, Elijah Peeks and Kylen Pope set the tone defensively.

• Continue to establish offensive balance behind Brayden Doss.

• Force Woodstock to sustain long drives rather than allowing Burmeister to create explosive plays.

Pundit's Pick

Graham Burmeister will have to have another huge game if the Wolverines are going to send Cartersville back up north with a loss. Burmeister has shown tremendous craftiness and elusiveness, but we don’t believe he has seen a defense this season with the likes of Grayson Villar, Elijah Peeks and Kylen Pope. Expect that trio, along with Cole Crawford, to key in on Burmeister and do everything possible to limit his rushing opportunities. If Cartersville can contain Burmeister, the Canes will put plenty of pressure on the rest of the Woodstock offense to make plays.

Meanwhile, Woodstock will need another big performance from its defense, particularly Djabril Ba. Perhaps the Cartersville offense isn't as prolific as it was last season, but the defense is shaping up to be just as dominant as it has been in recent years.

We believe that's ultimately the difference in this one. Cartersville has enough defensive firepower to slow down Burmeister and enough offense to pull away late.

Prediction: Cartersville by 13