Wolverines Face Daunting Challenge Against Red-Hot Chiefs

Scouting the Chiefs

The Sequoyah Chiefs continued their march toward a second consecutive region title. Sequoyah enters this week riding a five-game winning streak and has been absolutely dominant in region play. The Chiefs have outscored their region opponents by an average of 49.2 to 7.4 points per game.

Sequoyah is averaging 213 yards per game through the air and 207.5 yards per game on the ground. Trace Washington has paced the Chiefs' rushing attack with 861 yards on 83 carries, averaging an impressive 10.3 yards per carry, along with 11 touchdowns. Joseph Lucente has chipped in 222 yards and three touchdowns.

Quarterback Nolan Shakar has thrown for 1,509 yards and 18 touchdowns while completing 70% of his passes. Robert Van Alstyne (35 receptions, 536 yards, 5 TDs) and Duke Sanders (25 receptions, 608 yards, 8 TDs) have proven to be consistent big-play threats in the receiving game.

Defensively, Drew Williams, Brady Streeter and Asa Goings lead the Chiefs with 97, 85 and 66 total tackles, respectively. Cason Gant leads the team with three sacks, while Goings, Braylon Bannister and Danny Palmese have each recorded three interceptions.

Speaking of interceptions, Sequoyah has picked off 13 passes this season and returned seven of them for touchdowns. The Chiefs have also recorded 18 sacks. Sequoyah's dominance has been evident from the opening kickoff, as the Chiefs have outscored their opponents 167-58 in the first half this season.

Scouting the Wolverines

The Woodstock Wolverines are looking to bounce back after falling to Kell last week. Graham Burmeister threw for 236 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Xavier Murphy rushed for 63 yards in the loss.

On the season, Woodstock is averaging 169.5 yards per game through the air and 119.1 yards per game on the ground. We have said it week in and week out when discussing Woodstock: Graham Burmeister is the straw that stirs the drink for the Wolverines. He has thrown for 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns while rushing for a team-high 480 yards and eight touchdowns.

Zay Murphy has added 384 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Ryland Hubbard continues to lead the Wolverines in receiving with 30 catches for 350 yards and five touchdowns, while Adrian Holliday has hauled in 17 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown. Murphy and Akin Kier have added 13 and 10 receptions, respectively, providing additional depth to the receiving corps.

Defensively, Caleb Vigna (78 total tackles, 11 TFLs, 2 sacks) and Djabril Ba (58 total tackles, 14 TFLs, 1 sack) continue to lead the Wolverines. Woodstock is averaging 20.3 points per game while allowing 33.8 points per contest.

Keys to the Game

Sequoyah

• Get off to another fast start. The Chiefs have outscored opponents 167-58 in the first half this season. Putting Woodstock in an early hole would make it difficult for the Wolverines to stick with their offensive game plan.

• Take advantage of Woodstock's struggles defending the pass. Nolan Shakar has completed 70% of his passes, and the combination of Duke Sanders and Robert Van Alstyne gives the Chiefs plenty of big-play potential.

• Continue creating turnovers. Sequoyah has intercepted 13 passes this season and returned seven for touchdowns. That ability to turn defense into offense is a major advantage.

  
  

Woodstock

• Keep Graham Burmeister involved. The Wolverines' quarterback is their most important offensive weapon, and his ability to make plays through the air and on the ground will be critical.

• Find a way to slow down Sequoyah's explosive offense. Woodstock cannot afford to allow the Chiefs to dictate the tempo or turn this into a shootout.

• Protect the football. Sequoyah's opportunistic defense has made a living creating turnovers, and Woodstock must avoid giving the Chiefs extra possessions.

  
  

Pundit's Pick

Woodstock kept this game close a year ago, but this season's matchup could look a little different, particularly with two of the Wolverines' best players now wearing black and gold.

Sequoyah showed its explosiveness through the air last week, adding another dimension to an offense that was already dangerous on the ground. Meanwhile, Woodstock struggled to defend the pass against Kell, something offensive coordinator Ben Jacquemein could look to exploit.

The Chiefs have shown no signs of slowing down and avoided a potential trap game last week. Burmeister should keep Woodstock competitive, but Sequoyah simply has too many weapons on both sides of the football. We expect the Chiefs to continue their dominant run through region play.

Prediction: Sequoyah by 28.