3A Finals Review: Lutheran Lions vs Roosevelt Roughriders
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A look at the three best performances from the 3A state championship game. Review Like the two other games of the state championship round, this matchup in the 3A state title game featured a pairing of ranked teams as the…
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Continue ReadingA look at the three best performances from the 3A state championship game.
Review
Like the two other games of the state championship round, this matchup in the 3A state title game featured a pairing of ranked teams as the 22nd ranked Lutheran Lions looked to take down the 7th ranked Roosevelt Roughriders. Early on, it looked like the Lions would run away in a lopsided upset, as they jumped out to a 17-7 lead early in the 2nd quarter. The Roughriders wouldn’t be counted out though, adding a scoring toss from 9-yards out with under a minute left in the 2nd quarter to cut the Lutheran lead to one possession – 17-14 – at the half. The 2nd half would turn out to be an absolute shootout as Roosevelt would score on the ground on their opening possession of the 2nd half to take a 21-17 lead until the Lions would answer with a score of their own to take back the lead, 24-21, heading into the 4th quarter. The Roughriders would rise to the occasion again on their opening possession of the 4th quarter, punching it in from 3-yards out to take a 28-24 lead with a little over eight minutes left in the game. Through the next eight minutes of the game, the Roosevelt defense would shut down the Lions offense when it mattered the most, getting the ball back to the Roughriders offense which would ultimately be the difference in the game – with Roosevelt scoring again on the ground from 7-yards out to essentially put the game on ice and seal the 34-24 state championship win. This win would prove to be the biggest in program history for the Roughriders, as the victory over the Lions would earn Roosevelt it’s first 3A crown. In a game as exciting as this one featuring two tremendously talented programs, it was difficult to pick just three players, but these were the three who I felt had the strongest performances for their respective team.
Players of the Game
Tucker Peterson Tucker Peterson 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Roosevelt | 2023 State CO , Roosevelt Roughriders (DB/LB/WR)(Sr.)(20) – Despite not posting eye-popping numbers on either side of the ball, Peterson arguably had the best all-around performance of any player in this game, making plays in every phase of the game when the Roughriders needed them the most. Taking a look at the numbers from Peterson’s performance against the Lions, he accounted for 5 tackles, a tackle for a loss, a pass deflection, and a momentum-shifting interception on defense while also registering 29 yards receiving and a receiving touchdown on 2 receptions (14.5 YPR) on the offensive side of the ball. When you turn on the tape of Peterson’s game against the Lutheran offense, you can see his outstanding ability to always be around the ball, as he displays a good understanding of how different route concepts work off of each other and where the offense is trying to push the ball. Strong, big-bodied (6’3, 195 lbs) safety/backer hybrid that can be brought into the box for run support. Aggressive, hard-nosed defender that doesn’t shy away from contact or being physical, routinely winning matchups because of his tenacity and strength. Good use of hands when stacking-and-shedding blockers and getting to the ball carrier. Displays exceptional force and drive at the point-of-attack when making contact, often driving back the ball carrier several yards when finishing the tackle. Reliable in both man and zone coverage, often being asked to cover slot receivers at nickel in certain situations. Excellent athleticism, foot speed, and agility allow him to play almost any role on defense at a high level. Versatile, plug-and-play defender that has experience playing deep middle safety, nickel, and the Mike backer position. Peterson is currently ranked the number 10 WR and the number 84 player overall in the class of 2023, but it was his play in all three phases of the game that would make a huge difference for the Roughriders.
Trey Ciccio, Lutheran Lions (DB/LB/WR)(Sr.)(3) – In an almost identical role to what Peterson did for Roosevelt, Ciccio had an impressive all-around performance for Lutheran, with the deficit in this game likely being completely different for the Lions had Ciccio not been in the game. Diving into Ciccio’s production from his night against the Roughriders, he registered a remarkable 6 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, a pass deflection, and a massive interception returned for a touchdown that gave the Lions a commanding lead in the 1st half while also accounting for 14 yards receiving on the offensive side of the ball. For the sake of this article, we’ll focus on Ciccio’s defensive film since that’s the side that felt his presence the most. When you break down the tape of Ciccio’s day against the Roughriders offense, you can see that Ciccio displays a knack for making a play on the ball, rarely being caught out of position when dropping into pass coverage. A combination of outstanding awareness, lateral agility, and good foot speed allow him to cover ground quickly when playing as both a deep defender and an extra body in the box when coming up in run support, consistently putting him in position to make a play on the ball in the air or the ball carrier when filling his run fits. Versatile athlete as a defender that can rotate as both a deep safety, in the box as a DB/LB hybrid in run support, or as a nickel corner when lining up across from TEs that get split out wide. Shows adequate ability to come up and defend the run with enough pop/drive at the point-of-contact to win against smaller ball carriers. Ciccio isn’t currently ranked on any recruiting boards for the class of 2023 but is nevertheless a very talented player that, despite the heartbreaking loss, gave everything he had in the final performance of his prep career.
Xavier Ramirez Xavier Ramirez RB Roosevelt | 2024 State CO , Roosevelt Roughriders (RB)(Jr.)(21) – Ramirez was, in my professional opinion, easily the MVP from this game, as the Roosevelt offense continued to ride on the back of Ramirez like he had throughout most of the season. Like most teams that have been tasked with slowing down Ramirez, the Lutheran defense couldn’t do anything to even remotely stop Ramirez, as he accounted for a remarkable 147 yards rushing and 2 rushing touchdowns on 30 carries (4.9 YPC) for the offense while also adding 82 yards on 4 kickoff returns on special teams. Looking at the film from Ramirez’s dominant showing against the Lions, you can see Ramirez displays a combination of exceptional top end foot speed, great change-of-direction, and good vision in the open field allow Ramirez to turn any carry into a touchdown or a big play. Extremely elusive runner in the open field that can find space quickly presenting a challenge for 2nd and 3rd level defenders to tackle in 1-on-1 situations in space. Displays good lateral agility when bouncing carries to the edge, making it difficult for slower defenders to set the edge. Shows a good ability as a receiver out of the back field, often creating a matchup problem with slower 2nd and 3rd level defenders because of his speed and change-of-direction. Ramirez is currently ranked the number 6 RB and the number 61 player overall in the class of 2024, which isn’t a shock considering almost everything about the Roughriders offense has ridden on the shoulders of Ramirez. Ramirez was certainly the catalyst for, not only the Roughriders offense, but for the team as a whole in earning Roosevelt’s first state title and will look to be a key piece in their pursuit of another state title in 2023.