thePITman;970521 wrote:
After seeing Norwayne play for the first time, I think I might have to adjust my "preview" by the units:
Quarterbacks: Old - Norwayne, New - Norwayne
Running Backs: Old - Orrville, New - Even
Wide Receivers: Old - Norwayne, New - Norwayne
Offensive Line: Old - Even, New - Even
Defensive Line: Old - Orrville, New - Norwayne
Linebackers: Old - Orrville, New - Orrville
Defensive Backs: Old - Orrville, New - Even
Special Teams: Old - Orrville, New - Orrville
My new final count is Norwayne 3, Even 3, Orrville 2. Norwayne clearly was the better team last night, and in my opinion, the better team, period. Orrville has no reason to hang their heads. Good luck to Norwayne next week against Girard!
Quarterbacks--I thought Orrville having a 2nd QB that could go in, say in the 3rd quarter for a different look, would be an advantage. He would have been running for his life or getting sacked. Our line did not protect the quarterback nearly as well this season and I think it was big reason behind Lichti's lack of confidence.
Running backs--I saw Norwayne play and felt their running game was similar to Clear Fork's 3-headed monster--Orrville has seen that before; it's assignment football and I thought they would be fine. I don't recall Norwayne ever lining up in that formation or even trying much misdirection at all. Once through the line, the Zimmerly's were faster than anything we had seen. (Did you know they grew up in Orrville until about the 2nd grade? Can you imagine?)
Any ideas on why we never saw Zook again in the backfield after returning from the shoulder injury? We could have used another dimension in the running game.
Mason wasn't himself and can't believe he played with a separated shoulder. I had one in high school was out for two weeks. Probably would have benched myself after breaking my hand too. Of course I didn't play for Orrville either.
Wide Receivers--Orrville has liked to give up the 7-8 yard curl and Norwayne is great at yards after the catch. That was my biggest concern going into the game. We had tight coverage but Wallace sure could get it in there. Unfortunately one of Orrville's receivers gave up on his team at the end.
Offensive Line--Week 12 will expose your weaknesses. Orrville's line has been suspect this year and had been able to just do the job until Saturday. Good news is there are two sophomores playing that are going to be studs. Norwayne's line got the job done and I give them the advantage.
Defensive Line--I don't recall Orrville DE's giving up the outside like they did in this game. Wallace hurt us whenever we did that.
Defensive Backs--Norwayne had receivers behind our defenders down the field but couldn't get the ball to them. Norwayne often gave up on receivers and left them open.
Most are wiser than me and wouldn't come out and say what I did--that Norwayne wasn't evenly matched with Orrville. It sounds just like what Genoa has done to Orrville and it wasn't meant arrogantly or disrepectfully. We had seen Orrville play big games against really good teams and rise to the occasion. And you know what? In the first quarter, Norwayne was overwhelmed and Orrville showed how it could make a big play at any time. Against Hillsdale, Norwayne did not respond well to this and let a non-existent Hillsdale offense hang around until the 4th quarter. Not so Saturday as they never let up for a second.
Overall, I felt Orrville had the advantage going in and still feel OCC football is a cut above the WCAL. Norwayne has broken out of the mold and hopefully their style of play will help bring that league up to where it can be. They were clearly the best and their coaches helped them a lot--always seemed to call the right play, like the screen when we brought the house--Wallace has a wall of red converging on him and somehow got the pass out; great play. It was enjoyable to watch how Norwayne played as a team as well and I felt it was a special night for the Zimmerly boys.
Anyway, I'm a Bobcat fan now from here on out. Go Cats and beat Girard!