Region 13 - Week 13 Championship: Norwayne (11-1) vs. Girard (11-1)

• O-Trap

  

  After Girard's dominant performance against Black River and Norwayne beating Orrville as Wayne County's last man standing, what are the thoughts on this game?
  
  Norwayne likes to throw, but they can also hurt you with the run. They're VERY fast. Looks like Girard has mowed over the teams they've played so far, but other than that, I know nothing about them. Anyone from Girard care to chime in and let us fans know what to expect?
  
  Sure hoping for a good game!
• ICBM

  

  I'll say a few words. Not a lot of Girard posters have found this site.
  
  Girard is a member of the All America Conference, Blue Tier. We're located about 10 miles from the Pa. border centered between Youngstown and Warren. As a blue collar community, football has truely become king since the introduction of the spread. (decimating the BB program after a state title back in the 90's) The fans love it as the Indians score a lot of points even is losses. To add to the excitement, the voters of Girard passed a levy to build a new football complex four years ago with a turf playing surface and 8 lane track as well as a brand new high school. The kids have gratefully reacted with positive results.
  
  The teams head coach is truely a local legend in his own time, Nick Cochran, who was a QB at Girard, OSU and then back to Youngstown State, where he lead Jim Tressels YSU Penguins to a national title game. He knows his offense and is an old school hard nosed coach (much like his father was at I believe Canton McKinley so the football roots run deep) who expects nothing but 110%. The last four seasons they have gone 9-1 in '08, (no playoffs due to an unusually weak performance by the competiotion, with basically the same schedule that has them in the #1 spot this year) '09 they were 11-1 losing to Woodridge in the regional semi, and last year they were 6-4, blowing two 14 point third qtr leads. This year they are 11-1 to date, so 37-6 over that time span. They had two playoff qualifiers in Manchester and LaBrae on the schedule and two others, Warren JFK and Campbell, who were knocked out of the top eight in week ten. The schedule also included wins over D-3 Hubbard (7-3) and D-3 Niles (5-5) and D-3 Struthers (5-5). The last regional title game was against Youngstown Ursuline in in '03 ???.
  
  Girard is a senior laden team. They have a nice tailback in Amad Eggleston, #1, in their spread one back offense who has run for I'm guessing 1600 yards and has about 30 TDs. Then there's four year starter at QB, Dan Graziano, #2, who has run and thrown for a little less than 2,000 yards each. He makes it all go calling much of the offense himself at the line. The Primary reciever is Brandon Byrd, #3, who is pretty fast and a deep threat. As with most spread teams there are also a bevy of recievers who get the job done including Grazianos brother who just seems to pop up in open spaces. It is a hurry no huddle offense and will run a play every 20 seconds so you better be in shape to run all night because they don't wait for you to set up.
  
  Over all we're on the small side on both sides of the ball. Historically Girard has been primarilly a passing team but this year has relied on a read option running attack with that passing ability tucked neatly in their hip pocket and when they take it out it still works very well. Defensively they bring a lot of pressure with an small but attacking defense with multiple fronts that relies on speed. It's not uncommon to see a defensive front with no linemen at all on the field. Kind of a "you can't block 'em if you can't catch 'em" attitude. They do have some big guys who can step in and plug a hole but in general they are used sparingly. The linebackers are pretty quick and get to the ball well. They have done well against the big back teams they have faced so far, primarily by getting penetration and stopping the play before it gets going. Their only loss, 42-35 to Campbell, came on an off night against a team that played their hearts out and the QB had the game of his life passing while Girards QB had his worst going 3-15. And again blew an 8 point lead late in the 3rd. (the reaction was a 50-0 blowout the next week against playoff bound LaBrae) The backers make most of the plays as expected with #19 A.J.Devore coming from just about every defensive position (as well as offensive). And look out for that stud Middle linebacker, Jake Carpenter, cut from the mold of Dick Butkus! Unfortunately they only cut the heart out of that mold as he stands an intimidating 5-7, and about 150 pounds. But again, Like lightning McQueen, "I am Speed!" Going into last night they were +22 in the turnover ratio and Graziano threw his first pick of the year.
  
  Roster and team info is available at MyValleySports.com or Vindy.com Blitz section or Tribtoday.com "underthelights section, if you want it. You can read most of the game stories if you like.
  
  
  
  Norwayne will get a lot of respect from Girard and I personally was hoping to get Orrville in this game. Stopping Girard is as easy as 1,2,3. If you can stop them, you can win. But with a quick start offense that has put up an awful lot of points early, 40 plus by half 5-6 times, much like Norwayne I believe, you gotta come out prepared. This could be a very high scoring affair. I'll have to see if I can get some other Girard posters to this site.
  
  Any roster available for this game? I hate bothering the coaches to get one. Have a good week and good luck. Hoping for good weather and a good game!

  GO GIRARD
  BEAT NORWAYNE
  FEAR THE "G"
• iced earth

  This has the makings of a high scoring back and forth game. Norwayne has zero tradition, never been here before, but as a group they have played 4 playoff games now over 2 yrs. and have beaten Columbiana Crestview (last year) and Orrville this year. They also have the experience of playing Ursuline last year and they did as good as anyone else against them.
  
  Their coaching staff proved last night they know whats up.
  
  Their loss this year was kind of a victim of circumstance type thing, as they played a very good power running Smithville team in above the ankle, deep mud.
• thePITman

  

  I saw Norwayne last night for the first time. Orrville is FAST, but Norwayne showed they are just as fast! Their D-line is a little undersized, but has faced much bigger O-lines the last 4 weeks, winning 3 of those. They also have a linebacker in that 5'7, 150lb range that made some nice plays last night. Their defensive backs are ball hawks in the secondary. Their O-line isn't intimidating, but they made some big holes last night and ran up and down the field against Orrville. Both their backs (brothers) are small but are very fast and can break tackles, too. They're a versatile team and fun to watch. I think this will be a very good game! Good luck to Norwayne.
  
  From The Daily Record this morning, a quote by Orrville coach Doug Davault:

  "They just whipped us up front," Davault added. "We missed some tackles, but give them credit. Nobody's done to our defense what those guys did."

• dontcare

  

  ICBM;970457 wrote:I'll say a few words. Not a lot of Girard posters have found this site.
  
  Girard is a member of the All America Conference, Blue Tier. We're located about 10 miles from the Pa. border centered between Youngstown and Warren. As a blue collar community, football has truely become king since the introduction of the spread. (decimating the BB program after a state title back in the 90's) The fans love it as the Indians score a lot of points even is losses. To add to the excitement, the voters of Girard passed a levy to build a new football complex four years ago with a turf playing surface and 8 lane track as well as a brand new high school. The kids have gratefully reacted with positive results.
  
  The teams head coach is truely a local legend in his own time, Nick Cochran, who was a QB at Girard, OSU and then back to Youngstown State, where he lead Jim Tressels YSU Penguins to a national title game. He knows his offense and is an old school hard nosed coach (much like his father was at I believe Canton McKinley so the football roots run deep) who expects nothing but 110%. The last four seasons they have gone 9-1 in '08, (no playoffs due to an unusually weak performance by the competiotion, with basically the same schedule that has them in the #1 spot this year) '09 they were 11-1 losing to Woodridge in the regional semi, and last year they were 6-4, blowing two 14 point third qtr leads. This year they are 11-1 to date, so 37-6 over that time span. They had two playoff qualifiers in Manchester and LaBrae on the schedule and two others, Warren JFK and Campbell, who were knocked out the in week ten in a schedule that included wins over D-3 Hubbard (7-3) and D-3 Niles (5-5) and D-3 Struthers (5-5). The last regional title game was against Youngstown Ursuline in in '03 ???.
  
  Girard is a senior laden team. They have a nice tailback, Amad Eggleston, #1, in their spread one back offense who has run for I'm guessing 1600 yards and has about 30 TDs. A four year starter at QB, Dan Graziano, #2, who has run and thrown for a little less than 2,000 yards each. He makes it all go calling much of the offense himself at the line. The Primary reciever is Brandon Byrd, #3, who is pretty fast and a deep threat. As with most spread teams there are also a bevy of recievers who get the job done including Grazianos brother who just seems to pop up in open spaces. It is a hurry no huddle offense and will run a play every 20 seconds so you better be in shape to run all night because they don't wait for you to set up.
  
  Over all we're on the small side on both sides of the ball. Historically Girard has been primarilly a passing team but this year has relied on a read option running attack with that passing ability tucked neatly in their hip pocket and when they take it out it still works very well. Defensively they bring a lot of pressure with an small but attacking defense with multiple fronts that relies on speed. It's not uncommon to see a defensive front with no linemen at all on the field. Kind of a "you can't block 'em if you can't catch 'em" attitude. They do have some big guys who can step in and plug a hole but in general they are used sparingly. The linebackers are pretty quick and get to the ball well. They have done well against the big back teams they have faced so far, primarily by getting penetration and stopping the play before it gets going. Their only loss, 42-35 to Campbell, came on an off night against a team that played their hearts out and the QB had the game of his life passing while Girards QB had his worst going 3-15. And again blew an 8 point lead late in the 3rd. (the reaction was a 50-0 blowout the next week against playoff bound LaBrae) The backers make most of the plays as expected with #19 A.J.Devore coming from just about every defensive position (as well as offensive). And look out for that stud Middle linebacker, Jake Carpenter, cut from the mold of **** Butkus! Unfortunately they only cut the heart out of that mold as he stands an intimidating 5-7, and about 150 pounds. But again, Like lightning McQueen, "I am Speed!" Going into last night they were +22 in the turnover ratio and Graziano threw his first pick of the year.
  
  Roster and team info is available at MyValleySports.com or Vindy.com Blitz section or Tribtoday.com "underthelights section, if you want it. You can read most of the game stories if you like.
  
  
  
  Norwayne will get a lot of respect from Girard and I personally was hoping to get Orrville in this game. Stopping Girard is as easy as 1,2,3. If you can stop them, you can win. But with a quick start offense that has put up an awful lot of points early, 40 plus by half 5-6 times, much like Norwayne I believe, you gotta come out prepared. This could be a very high scoring affair. I'll have to see if I can get some other Girard posters to this site.
  
  Any roster available for this game? I hate bothering the coaches to get one. Have a good week and good luck. Hoping for good weather and a good game!

  GO GIRARD
  BEAT NORWAYNE
  FEAR THE "G"

  A great take from obviously a very proud fan. Sounds like things are done right at Girard. This should be a very good game, looking forward to it. Go Cats.
• ts1227

  

  Game is officially at Green HS
• ICBM

  

  Is that right off 77?
• ts1227

  

  Basically. It's an exit north of the airport.
• ICBM

  

  Thanks.
• BigDean1

  

  Good Luck to Girard !!!
• beverboy1

  77 to 241 exit to steese rd
• THE4RINGZ

  

  I have said Girard is the best team in Region 13 all season. I think Norwayne will give them a fight however.
• ICBM

  

  And the field has a GREAT BIG "G" in the middle of it so it will feel just like home for the Indians of Girard! :laugh:
  
  Good Luck to Norwayne and lets hope for a safe and healthy finish so whoever wins can continue to represent the region at full strength.
  
  And as always
  
  GO GIRARD
  BEAT NORWAYNE
  FEAR THE "G"
• OQB

  

  Good luck Norwayne, make Wayne County Proud.....and make that win against my Riders count! lol hard to say this but I''ll be a Norwayne fan this week
• Bloody Toothbrush

  

  Green is a very nice facility.
  Last season, the Bobcats ran into Akise Teague and Ursuline on this field. Hopefully, they have erased the memories of that 42-0 shellacking.
  
  
  I really have no dog in this fight and wish both teams well.
• dontcare

  

  Bloody Toothbrush;971467 wrote:Green is a very nice facility.
  Last season, the Bobcats ran into Akise Teague and Ursuline on this field. Hopefully, they have erased the memories of that 42-0 shellacking.
  
  
  I really have no dog in this fight and wish both teams well.

  And that 42-0 could have been 90-0, but Ursuline shut it down in the 2nd half. Teague had moves that we have never seen, he was impressive to watch.
• 1_beast

  

  Good Luck Bobcats.
• thePITman

  

  How many basketball players are on the Norwayne basketball team? We're supposed to scrimmage you guys on Friday. Will Wallace be participating? Hahaha! Just yoking. Good luck, Bobcats! Bring home another regional championship for Wayne County!
• Old Rider

  

  Hopefully Norwayne can bring that same intensity they brought against Orrville. Or did they exhaust all their juice into the Orrville game?
• Bobcat

  Norwayne has many football players on the basketball team. IMO 4 of the top 6 on the team will spend this weekend on the football field. You'll recognize the names. Berger and Wallace both started last year and you have Maibach and Harris. All 4 of them are 6'1 or taller. This deep run is definitely going to hurt the bball team for awhile
• CatsFan

  This should be a good game. I think Girard will come out on top in the end, but I suspect Norwayne will be A LOT better and much more competitive than Black River.
• ICBM

  

  Anybody come up with a Norwayne roster!
• 1_beast

  

  ICBM;973239 wrote:Anybody come up with a Norwayne roster!

  LOL I probably could...if I dig a little...I was hoping someone else would pitch in. Im just a football fan from the same League...non affiliated. I do however keep track of things (sometimes), but my filing system isnt the greatest. Wife cleans my desk and messes up my "stuff".
• 1_beast

  

  http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/norwayne-bobcats-(creston,oh)/football/roster.htm
  
  There ya go.
  
  Slow, small and unathletic....
  
  
  Hope this helps!
• ICBM

  

  Thank you sir. Odd I couldn't find that. Checked every site I could find.