Warren rushing attack will be key to next victory
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| Warren running back Jalen Malone, No. 4, tucks the ball and tries to run it up field against the Chicago Curie defense Oct. 31. Warren defeated Curie, 49-7. (Carolyn Marie Dimmick) |
GURNEE – The Warren Blue Devils’ football squad is one of 16 remaining teams in the IHSA Class 8A playoffs, thanks to a 49-7 pounding of Chicago Curie last week.
However, when sixth-seeded Warren (8-2) travels to Wilmette to play No. 3-seed Loyola Academy (9-1), at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, the road to downstate Champaign quickly will become a lot tougher.
“Each round, the teams are obviously better,” Warren head coach Dave Mohapp said. “Loyola is a school with a lot of tradition and a great defense – it should be an interesting matchup.”
One thing to watch will be how well Warren fares with its impressive I-formation rushing attack, led by backs Tom Lindal and Greg Kennedy, especially since Loyola’s biggest strength appears to be stopping the run.
Lindal ran for four TDs in the Blue Devils’ first-round win, while the small but speedy Kennedy has scored more than 20 touchdowns of his own in 2009.
“We want to try to make [Loyola] do the things we want them to do, not what they want us to do,” Mohapp said.
That may be easier said than done, since Loyola has already shown it has no problem playing with some of the state’s top competition in 2009. Stopping talented Ramblers quarterback William Forsyth, who has a knack for scoring both on the ground and in the air, will be priority No. 1 for Warren on Nov. 7.
“Their quarterback is the key,” Mohapp said. “If we can slow him down, we’ll have a chance.”
Throughout the week, Warren has been spending a lot of time bonding as a group, practicing, working out – even having team meals together well after the sun goes down.
“I’m really proud of these guys because we’ve been able to come together as a group, even though we’re younger than last year’s team,” said Warren senior offensive lineman and three-year starter Jason Freeck. “Now, we also kind of have some additional motivation because we are younger, but we’ve had great team chemistry.”
Several Warren players said they have been extremely pleased with the way practices have been run this year. The Blue Devils have used what they call a two-platoon system, which allows them to spend more one-on-one time with various members of the coaching staff.
“I think we’re gonna have to bring it physically [Nov. 7],” Warren senior linebacker Jon Duncan said. “Loyola has some big guys, but our teamwork will be key, and we’ll need to stay disciplined.”
At the end of practice earlier in the week, as his players were busy lifting weights, Mohapp was asked if he thought there were any intangible factors that could make a difference in such a big game.
“One important thing to remember is that anything can, and often does, happen out there – we just have to play up to our abilities as a group,” he said. “I just want these guys to play hard and compete, and for us to try to create our own breaks instead of letting [Loyola] dictate what they want to do out there.”
Win or lose Saturday, Mohapp said he’s been pleased with his players’ collective efforts this season.
“I think we’ve met expectations [this year],” Mohapp added.
Now, the Blue Devils hope to exceed expectations with an upset playoff win on the road this weekend. In 2008, Warren’s season ended in the exact same round of 16 they currently find themselves in.
“In practices, we always try to make sure we know our opponent – and we’ve been trying to keep fresh [for Saturday’s game],” Mohapp said.
For ticket information, call Warren Township High School at 847-599-3171 or Loyola at 847-256-1100.
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