Chiefs Look to Keep Rolling Against Walnut Grove

Scouthing the Chiefs

The Sequoyah Chiefs are back in the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season and enter the postseason riding a seven-game winning streak. Last week, the Chiefs' defense recorded its third shutout of the season, continuing what has been an impressive year on both sides of the football.

Offensively, Sequoyah is averaging 45.9 points per game, totaling 189.8 yards per game through the air and 200 yards per game on the ground. Senior quarterback Nolan Shakkar has thrown for 1,682 yards and 21 touchdownswhile completing his passes with impressive efficiency, throwing just five interceptions on 159 attempts. Trace Washington leads the ground game with 953 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.

Robert Van Alstyne (40 receptions, 606 yards, 6 TDs) and Duke Sanders (26 receptions, 638 yards, 9 TDs) lead the Chiefs' receiving corps and give Shakkar two reliable targets in the passing game.

Defensively, the Chiefs are allowing just 10.1 points per game. Only two other defenses in Sequoyah school history have allowed fewer points per game. Drew Williams continues to establish himself as a force at linebacker, recording 120 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and three sacks. The Chiefs have also been disruptive in opposing backfields and passing lanes, recording 25 sacks and 14 interceptions, with eight of those interceptions returned for touchdowns.

Scouting the Warriors

The Walnut Grove Warriors are making their third postseason appearance in the program's 18-year history. Walnut Grove is averaging 22.5 points per game this season and has several playmakers capable of making an impact.

Julian Sease has been a do-it-all player for the Warriors, serving as a workhorse in the running game while also proving to be a ball-hawking safety with four interceptions this season. Ty Burce leads the team with 51 receptions for 748 yards and seven touchdowns. Burce is a physical wide receiver who is difficult to bring down with arm tackles and will present a challenge for the Chiefs' secondary.

Defensively, the Warriors are allowing 22.7 points per game. Rhyder Beard leads the team with 98 total tackles, while Zy Burce has been a disruptive presence up front, recording five sacks and nine tackles for loss.

Keys to the Game

Sequoyah

• Slow down Julian Sease and limit his ability to make plays both running the football and in the passing game.

• Put pressure on quarterback Huston Fowler and keep him from getting comfortable in the pocket.

• Establish the ground game behind Trace Washington and control the tempo offensively.

• Take advantage of opportunities in the passing game and test the Walnut Grove secondary.

  
  

Walnut Grove

• Find a way to slow down Sequoyah's explosive rushing attack and keep the Chiefs from controlling the line of scrimmage.

• Limit big plays from Nolan Shakkar and the Chiefs' talented receiving corps.

• Protect the football and avoid giving Sequoyah's defense additional opportunities to create turnovers.

• Win the battle up front and find a way to keep the game competitive into the second half.

Pundit's Pick

The Warriors have yet to defeat a team with a winning record this season, and a victory this week would arguably be the biggest win in program history. While we believe an upset is possible, we don't think it's probable. Sequoyah has too much firepower on both sides of the football, and we expect the Chiefs to continue their winning ways.

Prediction: Sequoyah by five touchdowns.