Creekview vs. Rome: Grizzlies Look to Bounce Back Against Physical Wolves
.
Scouting the Grizzlies
The Grizzlies suffered their first defeat of the season last week, but their offense continues to show plenty of firepower. Carson Lott continues to be the bell cow for the Creekview offense, carrying the ball 24 times for 142 yards and two touchdowns against Cass. Through three games, Lott has rushed for 376 yards and four touchdowns.
Freshman Jax Howard has also impressed in his first three high school games. Howard has rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns, giving the Grizzlies another dangerous weapon in the backfield. When talking about Creekview's offense, the offensive line deserves plenty of credit. Ryan Sullivan, Bryant Kealhoffer, Jack Wright, Caleb Glover and Wyatt Hill have helped set the tone for the Grizzlies' powerful ground game.
Quarterback Landon Barnes has also shown he can make plays through the air, throwing for 336 yards and three touchdowns this season. Creekview is averaging 240 yards per game on the ground and 112 yards per game through the air. Defensively, Landon Parker and Hudson Stanley continue to set the tone for the Grizzlies.
Scouting the Wolves
The Rome Wolves come off their bye week looking to get on track as they begin region play. Rome is off to an unusually slow start, but the Wolves will bring a talented, albeit inexperienced, team into Friday night's matchup.
Freshman quarterback Zaiden Winston has shown plenty of promise and has a pair of explosive receivers at his disposal in Tylan “Scoot” Simpson and Kaiden “K.D.” Watters. Both Simpson and Watters possess game-breaking speed and can create problems for any secondary. The two playmakers also contribute on defense in the Wolves' secondary.
Sophomore Josh Reynolds could be the next star offensive lineman to come through the Rome program. Reynolds is still young but is already highly regarded at his position.
Up front defensively, the Wolves will be anchored by A’zyuis Adams and Jy’Quice McCrary, giving Rome plenty of size and physicality along the defensive line.
Keys to the Game
Creekview Grizzlies
Win the battle up front: Creekview's offensive line will have its hands full with Adams and McCrary.
Keep feeding Lott: The senior has been the engine of the Grizzlies' offense and will need another big performance.
Get Howard involved: His explosiveness gives Creekview another weapon Rome will have to account for.
Match Rome's physicality: The Grizzlies will need to be ready for a more physical challenge than they have seen early in the season.
Rome Wolves
Protect Winston: The freshman quarterback will need time to find Simpson and Watters downfield.
Control the line of scrimmage: Adams and McCrary could be the difference-makers against Creekview's powerful running game.
Create explosive plays: Simpson and Watters have the speed to change the game with one touch.
Take advantage of the bye: Rome needs to come out fresh and focused as it opens region play.
Pundit's Pick
This game will likely be won in the trenches. Can Creekview's offensive line neutralize McCrary and Adams up front? Will Rome's Zaiden Winston have enough time to get the ball to his explosive playmakers? And was the bye week just what the doctor ordered for the Wolves?
We believe this game will be much closer than the last time these two teams met. Expect Rome to bring a level of physicality to this matchup that the Grizzlies have not seen from their first two opponents. The big question is whether Creekview can match that physicality.
We believe they can.
Prediction: Creekview by 4
Comments