Riding on a 42 consecutive game winning streak since 2008, boasting an undefeated 2012 regular season campaign and sporting an impressive 59-3 overall record dating back to 2007, the Phoenix is hoping to make history in the 2012 NSSAFFL playoffs.Ā Ā If they are successful in their quest to win a fifth consecutive title, the Phoenix would become the only team in the leagueās history to achieve the feat.
However, the team has to get past their first test of the playoffs:Ā Ā a very tough, yet competitive Spartans squad to earn the right to play for the championship.Ā Ā Week 3 of the regular season is the last time the two teams met and the Phoenix came out on top with a 25-5 victory.
“We are very excited to face a top ranked team led by all-star quarterback Cody Cluett,” comments Phoenix co-head coach and defensive coordinator Jeff Lawley of the match-up.Ā Ā “We consider ourselves fortunate to have the season victory over Dartmouth.”
“The conditions were not ideal at the last meeting; however, the forecast for Saturday is good.”
Meanwhile, the Spartans are thrilled to have the opportunity to play in the playoffs. In spite of the having the daunting task of playing the defending provincial champions in the semi-finals, the Spartans are ready for the challenge.
“We are excited to return to the Tier 1 semi-finals for the second straight year and to have the opportunity to challenge a perennial powerhouse like Citadel High School,” says Spartans head coach Nick Barr.Ā Ā “We’ve played Citadel relatively closely over the past couple of years, but haven’t been able to come out with the victory.”
“Citadel is extremely well-coached, and they are always well-prepared to play. Citadel is so balanced offensively and defensively, that you can’t really focus on just one or two players.Ā Ā Nothing less than our best effort will suffice if we are going to knock off the four-time defending champions.”
As for game execution plans, the Spartans believe field position is imperative in their chances for success.
“Our goal is to make the Citadel defense have to defend the entire field both vertically and horizontally,” explains the Spartans head coach.Ā Ā “Defensively, we hope to limit “big plays” and force Citadel to drive the field on every possession.”
“We will have to win the field position battle if we’re going to have a chance to win.”
Spartans quarterback Cody Cluett will be the offensive trigger for the team as he will lead the offense. However, the Spartans offensive unit has to find cracks in the Phoenix defense as well as finding a way to get past the league’s top defensive enforcer in Shaun Robinson.
“We will require a big effort from our quarterback, Cody Cluett, if we are going to move the ball and score against a very tough Citadel defense,” adds Barr.Ā Ā “Offensively, our best performances have been when we run and pass the ball effectively, so we hope to do so on Saturday as well.”
“We have to minimize Shaun Robinson’s impact if we are to have any success offensively.Ā Ā Citadel is very good at hitting you where you hurt, so if we become one-dimensional, or have trouble stopping the run or pass, Citadel will focus on that and it will be a long day.”
Defensively, the team needs to be able to find a way to stop all the dangerous Phoenix offensive threats.
“On the defensive side of the ball, all 12 players will have to step up and play their best game if we are going to have success stopping the Citadel offence,” assesses the Spartans head coach.Ā Ā “Our defense has played solidly all year, but we will need their very best if we are to pull off the upset.”
While the Phoenix know what to expect from their semi-final opponents, the team will rely on their grade 12 players to provide leadership to ensure their game plan lifts off without a glitch.
“We expect to see a powerful air attack from Dartmouth,” explains Lawley.Ā Ā “We remain committed to running the ball and do our best to limit the big play effect of a Cody Cluett.”
“It should be a great match up!”
Even though the Spartans know that they are not considered the favourites coming into the semi-final tilt, they believe that they could potentially do the impossible and dethrone the defending provincial champions.
“We have been the underdogs all season, so Saturday will be no different,” reflects Barr.Ā Ā “Other than our Sir John A game, we have been “in” every game going into half, and we played Citadel tight late into the third quarter.”
“Our players believe in themselves, and each other, and if we get 100 percent effort from every Spartan, we have an opportunity to do something special on Saturday.”
TEAM NOTES/PREVIOUS 2012 MEETING:
CITADEL PHOENIX (CIT):
2012 Record:Ā Ā 6-0-0 (first seed
Coaching Staff:
Head Coaches:Ā Ā Mike Tanner (42 years) Jeff Lawley (23 years and also defensive coordinator)
Assistants:Ā Ā Michael Hopper (receivers), Will Tanner (receivers) Erik Nowak (running backs), Gordon Beattie (offensive line), Greg Knight (offensive line), Anthony Vincer (offensive line), Dan Parker (defensive line), Harrison Petropolis (defensive line), Jamie Fudge (linebackers), Ted Richard (linebackers), Matt Wheeler (defensive backs), Mike Thomson (defensive backs), Emile Milton (defensive line)
Players to Watch:Ā Ā Nick Giacomantonio (defensive end), Matt Nettle (linebacker), Chris Folkins (defensive back), Liam Connell (defensive back), Dequan Skeir (offensive lineman), Liam Johnston (running back), Ian Farrell (receiver), Jonathan Harvey (defensive tackle), Nate Adams (defensive back), Darius Lameire (quarterback), Scott Baigent (running back), O’Neil Barton (right tackle)
DARTMOUTH HIGH SPARTANS (DHS):
2012 Record:Ā Ā 3-3-0 (fourth place)
Coaching Staff:
Head Coach:Ā Ā Nick Barr (rookie season as head coach but 4th season with Spartans, this marks first year in playoffs as head coach)
Assistants:Ā Ā Randy Rudel (defensive coordinator), Nick MacLeod (offensive coordinator), Kevin Breen (defensive line), Matt Quesnelle (linebackers), Mitchell Hood (defensive backs), Mike Hubley (offensive line), Jeremy Osmond (offensive line), Junior LeBlanc (quarterbacks/receivers), Greg Hodge (quarterbacks/receivers), Philip Morris (running backs)
Players to Watch:Ā Ā Cody Cluett (quarterback), Kevin James (linebacker/offensive line), Travis Stanfield (running back), Jesse Rudel (defensive back/receiver), Isaac Berglund (defensive line/offensive line), Nick Jennex (receiver), Isaiah Skeete (receiver/defensive back), Andrew Vieira (running back), Thomas Poirier (defense)
PREVIOUS MATCHUP IN 2012:Ā Ā The Phoenix defeated the Dartmouth High Spartans in the contest, 25-5 in Week 3.
“This score was not indicative of how tight this game was,” explains Phoenix co-head coach and defensive coordinator Jeff Lawley. “The score was 9-5 at halftime and we got a couple of late touchdowns.”
Running back Liam Johnston led the way for the Phoenix with a major and 137 rushing yards on 15 carries. Phoenix running back Scott Baigent found the end zone once while carrying the ball six times for 28 rushing yards. Wide receiver Thomas Hatfield scored a touchdown while registering 53 yards on two catches while running back Brad Petrie rushed for 42 yards on nine carries.
Linebacker Matt Nettle was solid on defense for the victors as he had eight solo tackles in the game. Moreover, kicker A.J Case was successful on three conversion attempts.
Meanwhile the Spartans were successful on a field goal attempt while the Phoenix conceded a safety to add to the point totals.
Overall, the Phoenix was able to contain a spirited Spartans offense that was led by arguably the league’s best quarterback. Another key factor in the Phoenix’s victory was the success of the Phoenix’s offensive game execution plan.
“Our defense held off what we consider to be a candidate for offensive MVP in Cody Cluett,” commented the Phoenix co-head coach and defensive coordinator. “He is a terrific athlete and we needed to play various types of defenses to keep him at bay.”
“Shaun Robinson and Matt Nettle led our defense. Offensively, we really got our running game going and our offensive line is starting to come together. Our young kids are starting to step up.”
However, there was still one key weakness the Phoenix showed in the game.
“We still need to eliminate our mental mistakes and penalties,” added Lawley.
Photos courtesy of Cathy Connell
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