MAIS 4A Championship Preview: Tri-County vs St Joseph

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The match up between 12-1 Tri-County and 10-1 St. Joseph features two teams that have fought tooth and nail all year long. This game will decide whose efforts are incumbent of producing a victory and becoming Champions. These teams met up last year in the playoffs and Tri-County was able to knock off St.Joseph 14-7. Below I will preview each team and their players, while giving insight on possible prime-time performers for the game!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Tri-County (12-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team has been dominant all year long, only suffering a single loss to a team in the regular season that they've already sent home in the playoffs. The Rebels have a high powered offense, headed by sophomore Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='350937' first='Bryce' last='Warriner'], a star in the making! The 2025 prospect has led their offense to a point differential of 498 points to their opponents 128 points. Warriner has 2,349 passing yards on the year, and has completed 65 percent of his passes. His 7:2 touchdown to interception ratio tells the story of how well he takes care of the football. As he dissects defense and disperses the ball to his play-makers, there is no shortage of weapons for him to look to. The Rebels have had a few constant contributors on offense/defense all year long to assist in their championship run .Players like Jacob Clearman and Christopher Dantone are looking to leave their marks all over this game. Their very own Thomas Murphy, All-State LB/RB, averaged 8 yards a carry and amassed nearly 1000 yards on the year. He scored 13 touchdowns for the Rebels, and added 5 tackles a game defensively. I am slightly more impressed my Murphy's prowess as a defender. He reads blocking schemes well and is adept at making plays on ball carriers sideline to sideline. Another two way star for the Rebels is 2023 LB/WR Walker Wasson. I look for Wasson to put together one of his better games of the year as he plays his last high school contest.The 6'2 180 lb senior will be an integral piece to the puzzle as Tri-County looks to cap off their Championship season. If these three guys handle business and get help from their supporting cast, then they will be just fine!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prospects to Watch: #15 [player_tooltip player_id='350937' first='Bryce' last='Warriner'] 2025 QB | #10 Walker Wasson 2023 WR/OLB | #6 Brody Thompson 2023 WR/DB | #33 Thomas Murphy 2023 LB/RB | #11 [player_tooltip player_id='120873' first='Kamp' last='Shepherd'] 2023 WR/DB | #5 Jacob Clearman 2024 WR/DB | #26 Christopher Dantone 2023 LB/RB</strong> | </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>St. Joseph (10-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The St. Joseph Fighting Irish have rattled off 9 straight wins on their way to this year's MAIS 4A Championship. On that run, they've outscored opponents by a margin of 404 points to a measly 84 points from their opponents. This team has a stingy defense, and I'm overly eager to see how they fare against Tri-County's offensive attack. Their approach on the offensive side of the ball is nothing to scoff at as well, as they have scored 500 points on their title run. St. Joseph has several players going both ways that will have a major impact on this game. [player_tooltip player_id='119614' first='Carson' last='Graham'], [player_tooltip player_id='340734' first='Jerrian' last='King'], and Kye Nelson will be the three catalysts for the Fighting Irish on both sides of the ball. These three will ball out for sure, but keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='340734' first='Jerrian' last='King']! Don't think just because I named just those 3 prospects alone that it's because those are the only studs that St. Joseph has. Players from this squad are mountains of young men, meaning they are big and hard to move. They are a football team loaded with skilled and big skilled talent and It shows on tape. Roury McCloyen, Tyler Montgomery , and [player_tooltip player_id='910412' first='Landon' last='Brown'] lead the cause for the trench guys. They are a part of a group that are technically sound, and the unsung heroes for this ball club. The game is won in the trenches, and these guys will play tonight like they understand just that. Whether it is offensively or defensively, these guys get after it and enjoy the game that they are playing. This Championship will be one for the ages. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prospects to Watch: #5 [player_tooltip player_id='119614' first='Carson' last='Graham'] 2023 LB | #7 [player_tooltip player_id='340734' first='Jerrian' last='King'] 2023 WR/DB | #32 [player_tooltip player_id='344147' first='Chris' last='Mayfield'] 2024 S/LB | #2 CJ Moore 2023 QB/WR | #54 Roury McCloyen 2023 OL | #4 Kye Nelson 2023 ATH | #8 Cliff Perry 2023 LB | #1 Christian Foster 2023 WR/DB | #66 Tyler Montgomery 2024 OL </strong>| <strong>#53 Alex Foster 2024 DE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->