Jordan’s Road Trip: Marian Catholic vs Crete-Monee Preview

This Saturday I will be heading out to Marian Catholic in Chicago Heights to watch them take on Powerhouse Crete-Monee. This week 2 matchup is going to be filled with playmakers and high competition on both sides of the ball. Enough talk, let’s get into it. <hr /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Offense</strong></em></span> Marian Catholic has a dominant running back in [player_tooltip player_id="20239" first="Tajheem" last="Lawson"] and an airborne attack with receiver [player_tooltip player_id="65568" first="Justin" last="Stallworth"] and at the helm of the offense QB Ronald Thomas. They primarily stay under the center where they can run inside and outside the tackles, both resulting in big gains. Once they establish the run with [player_tooltip player_id="20239" first="Tajheem" last="Lawson"] it opens up play-action passes to [player_tooltip player_id="65568" first="Justin" last="Stallworth"] downfield and helps stretch the field vertically. Crete-Monee has transfer running back Chance Joseph to pair with Ryan Mastin and receiver Wijohnel Evans who is going to be a threat in the air attack. They primarily run a spread offense where they look to attack vertically with their fast pace play. They go in shotgun and empty formation for the most part while they drive downfield, when they get to the redzone and goal-line situations they go into the "big" package where they run the ball through the teeth of their opponent’s defense. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Defense</strong></em></span> Marian Catholic has a strong pass rush in defensive ends [player_tooltip player_id="65568" first="Justin" last="Stallworth"] and Kendall Thomas. They do a good job of disrupting the play and getting pressure on the QB. In the secondary, they have cornerback [player_tooltip player_id="65543" first="Jahmar" last="Daniel"] that can play man to man and attack downhill in run support. Overall, look for Stallworth and Thomas to get pressure on the QB and disrupt plays in the process. Crete-Monee has a strong defensive end in [player_tooltip player_id="65768" first="Xavier" last="Slayton"] and a stellar middle linebacker in Terry Ellias Jr. Both of these players are going to play a big role in stopping Marian Catholic’s offensive attack and they can both get pressure on the QB as well as shoot the gaps in run support. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Key Points to Win</strong></em></span> <em>Marian Catholic</em> They need to establish their running attack early with [player_tooltip player_id="20239" first="Tajheem" last="Lawson"] to get him going early. If they’re able to do this it will open up the play-action pass to [player_tooltip player_id="65568" first="Justin" last="Stallworth"] and cause the Warrior’s defense to bite down on the run. From here it will open up their passing attack and open up running lanes for Lawson moving forward. On defense, they will need to limit the big plays that the Warrior’s fast-paced offense produces. If they are able to do so and win the turnover battle the odds will be in their favor to win the game. <em>Crete-Monee</em> They need to come out strong and punch Marian Catholic in the mouth on their opening drive by driving the ball down the field in their fast paces offensive attack. In doing so, look for the Warriors to get Wijohnel Evans going early in the passing game and the backfield duo ( Chance Joseph and Ryan Mastin ) on draws and screens to get them in open space. On defense, they will need to key on [player_tooltip player_id="20239" first="Tajheem" last="Lawson"] by shooting the gaps and being disciplined in their gap responsibilities. They will need to watch the cutback lanes as Lawson has the vision to plant his foot and hit them hard for a big gain. If the Warriors are able to keep Lawson under 100 yards and force the Spartans to beat them with their passing attack the odds are in their favor to win the game. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Closing Thoughts</strong></em></span> Overall, this is going to be a good week 2 matchup for both teams. Marian Catholic and Crete-Monee have playmakers on both sides of the ball and I'm excited to see which team comes out victorious once the time runs out. This game can go either way as each team is hungry for a Week 2 win. That being said, as much as I want to say the Spartans will beat the Warriors, the Warrior's fast offensive tempo might wear out the legs of the Spartan's defense. This is especially going to hinder their pass rush, which is why I have the Warriors winning this game 35 - 21. <hr /> That’s my preview for the Marian Central vs Crete-Monee game on Saturday, March 27th. I look forward to watching the game and seeing these young men compete. Keep an eye out for the post-game report to drop Sunday with the score of the game and the top performers from each team. <em>Be sure to follow @jamaskane regarding news &amp; information for Illinois High School Football,  @PrepRedzoneIL, and @PrepRedzone. </em>