DIV:R13 Championship: Norwayne (12-0) vs Brookfield (12-0)

• thePITman

  

  This is the game everyone expected in Region 13. The defending DIV state champs, Norwayne comes in undefeated having blown out every team this year. Brookfield also comes in undefeated and looking to avenge their 42-7 week 11 loss to Norwayne last season. After seeing Brookfield/Manchester tonight, I've now seen both teams in person and will offer more of my opinion later.
  
  Should be a good game! Let's get the talk going.
• kurty66

  I'm not sure either team has had a serious challenge, but I think they'll get one next week. They both won their games very easily tonight. I watched the Liberty/Norwayne game and it was really like a routine WCAL game for the Cats. The Liberty back looked like he was fast, but never got going anyway. The quarterback seemed to always roll right and acted as if he would easily shake off the tackle, but got sacked several times and never got away. The Leopard defense keyed on Zimmerly - and they did stop him a few times and mainly limited him, but Dreher started throwing it all over the field for 300+ while they were looking for Zimmerly. I don't think Jon Z played much at all on either side after halftime anyway.
  
  I'll defer to Pit for Brookfield analysis since I haven't seen them since wk 11 last year - and I'm sure they're much better. They'll need to be better because the Bobcats are at least as dangerous as last year with an even better defense.
• thePITman

  

  I finally got to see Brookfield in person tonight against Manchester. Here are my thoughts on Brookfield and the region championship:
  
  Brookfield is a very good team that reminds me A LOT of last year's Johnstown-Monroe team with a QB/RB combo that loves to run, and does it very well. Their offense is pretty predictable, but it works because their QB #12 and RB #3 are both very, very good. The QB has good size and runs hard (with surprising speed), stiff-arming defensive ends and linebackers to the ground, while the RB is smaller but really fast and was beating the whole Panther defense to the corner on all his sweeps.
  
  Play-calling was pretty limited, but they didn't need to expand much because Manchester couldn't stop them. Whether it was traps with pulling guards, the option with QB & RB on any down-and-distance, or jet motion sweeps... They possess more speed than power, but a good amount of both. The QB makes very good decisions and cuts on the option, sometimes keeping the ball to the very last second before getting rid of it at the right time. (Sounding like Johnstown-Monroe yet? Haha. I'm telling you, identical.) The passing game was virtually non-existent. They only threw maybe 4-5 passes in the first half. But again, they didn't have to. Their most effective passes were swing passes to RB's in the flats... so no matter what, they seem to really want the ball in their QB/RB's hands.
  
  Brookfield's defense was definitely susceptible to the big pass play, which is how Manchester scored both their TDs (90yd TD in 1st quarter, and a 60+ yd TD w/ subs in the 4th). In my opinion, that plays right into the hands of Norwayne, who has a very good, accurate QB that just set our area's single season passing record tonight with over 3,100 passing yards. He has a plethora of receivers to throw to. Norwayne has a stud RB (Zimmerly, also a very good DE) that will keep Brookfield honest, too, quite the opposite of Manchester who posed zero rushing threat tonight. In addition to Zimmerly, other speedsters share the ball out of the backfield on misdirection/motions. Brookfield's front 7 did a pretty good job creating pressure and clogging the holes, but didn't really stand out too much. They will be facing a better OL from Norwayne than they saw from Manchester.
  
  When it comes to diversity on offense, Norwayne definitely has the advantage big time. Zimmerly is as good as #3 for Brookfield running the ball (#3 is much faster, but Zimmerly is stronger). Brookfield's QB is very good, but Norwayne makes up for it with an awesome receiving corp (Berger, Kneriem, Harris, Beery, etc).
  
  I think the key to the game is if Norwayne can stop or at least slow down #12 and #3 (#1 was also a viable option out of the backfield). Keeping responsibilities on QB/pitch man and playing those option plays well will be key, as well. And if/when Norwayne does start to take that away, how effective can Brookfield be in the passing game against Norwayne's athletic defensive backs? Either way, Norwayne WILL put up points. It's a matter of if Brookfield can keep up. I think they will be able to move the ball on Norwayne for the most part, but they'll need to make sure they punch it in when they get chances. I really think this will be a very good game, but as of right now, I'd have to give the edge to Norwayne.
  
  I read last week about speed. #3 is very fast for Brookfield, maybe only a step slower than Norwayne's Beery. Outside of #3, Norwayne has better depth and team speed for the most part, but not by much.
  
  Again, I've only seen Brookfield once so take my thoughts for what they're worth; but their starters played until 7 minutes to go in the game, so I got to see plenty of them. Haha!
  
  Good luck, Norwayne!
  
  Also, I referenced Johnstown-Monroe a few times earlier. Brookfield is almost an exact replica with maybe a little more speed than J-M had. Norwayne faced J-M in the state semifinals last year at New Philadelphia's Quaker Stadium and dominated them 59-28, scoring a TD on something like their first 7 possessions, finally having to punt in the 4th quarter. I don't expect that dominating of a performance against Brookfield next Friday, but it's interesting to look at the similarities.
• kurty66

  thePITman;1317060 wrote:
  Brookfield is a very good team that reminds me A LOT of last year's Johnstown-Monroe team with a QB/RB combo that loves to run, and does it very well. Their offense is pretty predictable, but it works because their QB #12 and RB #3 are both very, very good. The QB has good size and runs hard (with surprising speed), stiff-arming defensive ends and linebackers to the ground, while the RB is smaller but really fast and was beating the whole Panther defense to the corner on all his sweeps.

  I can't see Sickle and Zimmerly being stiff-armed to the ground by their QB. Beery, Smith, Studer and Berger will probably contain better on the corners. I'm sure Brookfield will pile up some rushing yards, though. Johnstown did last year- at least for a half.
  
  Great analysis as usual, PIT
• beverboy1

  42-21 norwayne
• 99bobcatdb

  beverboy1;1317102 wrote:42-21 norwayne

  From what I just read by Pitt, I would agree with your score and outcome.
  
  But I am just a little one sided ..........
  
  Go cats!!
• Red Rum

  

  I'm hoping for a close game here, but I have a feeling this will be a "different year, same result" scenario.
  
  That being said, Good luck to both teams and may the winner represent Region 13 well.
• CatsFan

  Saw Norwayne on TV last night, and they are as good as advertised. I don't know how many times I heard the announcers refer to them as a well-oiled machine but they sure deserved the moniker. That Zimmerly (41) is a hell of an athlete, man does he run hard. The Liberty kids looked like they didn't know what to do with Norwayne's onside/squib kicks all first half. It was like a deer in the headlight type of a deal. I think Norwayne only recovered two, but there were 2 or 3 others where the Norwayne player was right there while the ball was rolling around. Brookfield better be prepared for Norwayne's kicking game.
  
  I saw Brookfield had an dominating win over a solid Manchester team... the final margin kind of surprised me because I know Manchester has a good football program. In hindsight, maybe that 33-7 win over YCS was more telling, as YCS has advanced to the regional finals in D6,R21 with a win over a good Malvern team. In any case, this should be the first real test for both teams. Unfortunately, for Brookfield, I believe they have the much tougher test and I think Norwayne will pass this test with flying colors. I just don't see Brookfield being good enough to slow down the Norwayne machine... they just look too tough. I'm thinking Norwayne wins this one by a final of 35-13.
• Waynes World

  Go Warriors!!!
  
  Will the game be played somewhere with extra strong bleachers and truck loads of surplus sandwiches?, it should be remembered that Wayne Countians will be coming.
  
  Brookfield 35
  Norwayne 34
• 99bobcatdb

  CatsFan;1317123 wrote:Saw Norwayne on TV last night, and they are as good as advertised. I don't know how many times I heard the announcers refer to them as a well-oiled machine but they sure deserved the moniker. That Zimmerly (41) is a hell of an athlete, man does he run hard. The Liberty kids looked like they didn't know what to do with Norwayne's onside/squib kicks all first half. It was like a deer in the headlight type of a deal. I think Norwayne only recovered two, but there were 2 or 3 others where the Norwayne player was right there while the ball was rolling around. Brookfield better be prepared for Norwayne's kicking game.
  
  I saw Brookfield had an dominating win over a solid Manchester team... the final margin kind of surprised me because I know Manchester has a good football program. In hindsight, maybe that 33-7 win over YCS was more telling, as YCS has advanced to the regional finals in D6,R21 with a win over a good Malvern team. In any case, this should be the first real test for both teams. Unfortunately, for Brookfield, I believe they have the much tougher test and I think Norwayne will pass this test with flying colors. I just don't see Brookfield being good enough to slow down the Norwayne machine... they just look too tough. I'm thinking Norwayne wins this one by a final of 35-13.

  What station/channell did you watch the Norwayne on?
• OkieDokie

  It was myytv. A local station in the Y town warren area. They will not replay it and you can't watch it online yet either. Research myvalleysports. Com for info
• OkieDokie

  Waynes World;1317459 wrote:Go Warriors!!!
  
  Will the game be played somewhere with extra strong bleachers and truck loads of surplus sandwiches?, it should be remembered that Wayne Countians will be coming.
  
  Brookfield 35
  Norwayne 34

  
  Hilarious! Only seen Norwaynes fans once last year but still funny as hell
• 99bobcatdb

  OkieDokie;1317548 wrote:It was myytv. A local station in the Y town warren area. They will not replay it and you can't watch it online yet either. Research myvalleysports. Com for info

  Cool thank you!
• Paul_1

  

  OkieDokie;1317551 wrote:Hilarious! Only seen Norwaynes fans once last year but still funny as hell

  I doubt Norwayne fans can eat like Waynes World, heard she goes about 3 fidy.......
• Go Falcons

  

  Paul_1;1317559 wrote:I doubt Norwayne fans can eat like Waynes World, heard she goes about 3 fidy.......

  REPS!
• thePITman

  

  Who's up for tailgating? I know a few of us will be tailgating and grilling before this one. I'll provide more details (when, where, who, etc) later this week. Anyone is welcome to stop by and chat, especially fans from opposing schools. Always fun to meet more people and talk football.
• kurty66

  thePITman;1318097 wrote:Who's up for tailgating? I know a few of us will be tailgating and grilling before this one. I'll provide more details (when, where, who, etc) later this week. Anyone is welcome to stop by and chat, especially fans from opposing schools. Always fun to meet more people and talk football.

  I'll check in with ya Pit - same vehicle? I'm sure sure a sandwich comment is forthcoming... it was only mildly amusing the first time.
  Have you seen any games @ Stow?
• blairsummit

  ThePITman your right it was only one game you went to. For a one game analysis your correct as you only saw about 15-20% of their playbook. Brookfield had most of their starters out the whole fourth quarter. I saw on TV that norwayne had their starters in pretty much the whole game except the last minute and norwayne was passing till 0's on the clock. Real classy. That 41 is a good running back but he is no ryan mosara. your saying he is more speed and no power tells me you have bo clue what this brookfield team is about. I think norwayne jumps out to a lead but Brookfield wins a close one in the end.
• thePITman

  

  blairsummit;1318358 wrote:Brookfield had most of their starters out the whole fourth quarter. I saw on TV that norwayne had their starters in pretty much the whole game except the last minute and norwayne was passing till 0's on the clock. Real classy. That 41 is a good running back but he is no ryan mosara. your saying he is more speed and no power tells me you have bo clue what this brookfield team is about.

  So you think it's classy for Brookfield to have their starters and best players (#12, #3, #1) still in the game, up 40+ with 8 minutes left, calling timeouts, throwing the ball, and the coach angrily arguing penalties with referees? Okay. And I never said your runners had "no power". I actually said, and I quote: ".. more speed than power, but a good amount of both."
  
  In both teams' defense, though, when it comes to playing their starters in the 4th quarter, it is understandable. Neither of these teams has been challenged all year, and I know Norwayne's starters have seen 4th quarter action maybe twice all season. When it comes to the playoffs and you know the rest of the games will be dog fights, I wouldn't mind leaving them in there a little bit longer than normal to prepare for a full game of conditioning and try to work on some things.
  

  kurty66;1318120 wrote:I'll check in with ya Pit - same vehicle? I'm sure sure a sandwich comment is forthcoming... it was only mildly amusing the first time.
  Have you seen any games @ Stow?

  I might be in my car this time. I have a fold-out table for the grill and accessories, so I shouldn't have to use the literal tailgate this year.
• RedRider1

  

  They don't give out state titles for sportsmanship....if a coach wants to play his starters into the 4th, that's his perogative. Is it the best approach, no....but a coach has his reasons I'm sure.
  
  I'm sure Brookfield remembers last year, and it seems like they've improved. Norwayne seems just as good as they were last year.
  
  Should be a good game. Stow has new turf that just got installed a few days before their season opener, so it should be a good atmosphere.
• thePITman

  

  If I had to make a score prediction for this week, I'd guess something around Norwayne 42 Brookfield 34. This should be a good game! As I mentioned before, I'm still leaning towards Norwayne, but Brookfield is still a very good team. Should be an awesome game with a great atmosphere as RR1 said. Can't wait to tailgate and then watch both these teams get challenged for the first time this year.
• OkieDokie

  Just so its out there, some of the Brookfield fans are poor sports win or lose so please ignore these people and good luck to both teams! Go Warriors
• thePITman

  

  OkieDokie;1318593 wrote:Just so its out there, some of the Brookfield fans are poor sports win or lose so please ignore these people and good luck to both teams! Go Warriors

  It's okay. Every school has them. You're alright in my book, though. By the way, I'm not a Norwayne fan. Just rooting for them.
• Spread All Day

  

  Randy Clark's first game as a head coach he scored 76 points up on conneaut and kept the starters in til the Kate 4th. He's like that. "Classy"
• blairsummit

  Spread All Day;1318619 wrote:Randy Clark's first game as a head coach he scored 76 points up on conneaut and kept the starters in til the Kate 4th. He's like that. "Classy"

  
  Well he must of learned from then, huh