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Friday, Nov. 13, 2009
Football: Just win and Merced's in
There aren't any difficult formulas to figure out. The math is rather simple.
For Merced to make the playoffs Rob Scheidt's boys have to win tonight.
Merced (4-1 Central California Conference, 4-5 overall) will host Pitman (3-2, 5-4) tonight at Don Odishoo field with everything on the line, including a fourth straight conference title.
Merced Sun-Star - PHOTO BY LISA JAMES
Defensive ends Jarrod Mounce (92) and Marques Barron (46) will look to be difference makers in tonight's showdown with Pitman at Stadium '76.
It's been an impressive turnaround after an 0-4 start.
"A combination of scheduling and inexperience set us up for a tough beginning this year," Scheidt said. "I'm happy with the way our guys responded. Their resilience put us in this game in week 10. It's almost like they expected to be here despite everything we went through to get here."
The CCC has been anything but predictable this year, but still Merced has stayed at the top.
Merced is tied with Los Banos (4-1, 6-3) heading into tonight's regular season finale.
Los Banos will tangle with Buhach Colony's high-octane offense in a game that features two teams which have likely wrapped up playoff spots.
A win would give LG its first conference title since 1998.
The the big key will be if Los Banos' defense -- which has posted two straight shutouts -- can slow down BC's running back trio of Corey Chapman (1,426 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns), Dallon Muse (1,013 yards and 11 touchdowns) and Jarrell Davis (731 yards and eight touchdowns).
"As explosive as they are we've got to be able to slow them down," Stubbs said. "I've coached with Kevin (Swartwood) and when he gets the 'Fly' going it's pretty hard to stop.
"We don't want to get in a shootout. They've got so many weapons you've got to defend. We've been talking about (Chapman, Muse and Davis) all week. Any of those three can score any time they touch the ball, and there aren't too many of those players in the league."
The Los Banos offense broke out in a big way in last week's 41-0 win over Atwater.
Quarterback Erik Martin was in sync with receivers Max Ornelas and Jerrell Minor.
"It's not a mystery, for us to score points we have to be able to throw the football," Stubbs said. "It opens up the run. It's just a matter of guys making plays."
Shawn Jansen is a Sun-Star sports reporter. He can be reached at 385-2462 or via e-mail at sjansen@mercedsun-star.com.
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