After Loveland’s massive 31-20 win against the Kings Knights, the Tigers look to even their conference record at 2-2 in a game against the Lebanon Warriors up north this Friday. Lebanon is also coming off of a 45-10 win where they looked nothing short of dominant against the Little Miami Panthers. Both teams are in the bottom half of the ECC looking to inch closer and closer to Milford and Winton Woods at the top.
The key for the Tigers defense is stopping the run and forcing Lebanon to rely on their more inconsistent pass offense to try and move the ball downfield. Lebanon’s featured back (Alex Klein) averaged an impressive seven yards a carry and found the endzone three separate times as well as surpassing the century-mark with 115 yards. The Warriors are undefeated in games when they average over 4 yards a carry and winless in games when they average under 4 yards a carry. The Tigers have struggled to stop the run all year, giving up 4.4 yards a carry against Milford and 6.8 yards a carry against Anderson. Despite those struggles, the Tigers run defense came to play against Kings allowing fewer than 3 a carry. If the Tigers can have a repeat performance against the Warriors rushing attack, the Tigers would run away with a second straight win.
The key for Lebanon defense is keeping the football out of Colton Endicott’s (12) hands. Colton is easily the most dynamic playmaker on the Tiger’s offense and is the centerpiece of the Tiger’s rushing attack. If Colton is contained and the Tigers are forced to change the game-plan from short play-action and RPO plays to a more complicated shotgun passing method, the Tigers could seriously struggle to move the ball down the field. Tyler Roberts (11), although solid when he plays within the Tiger’s patented short-game, struggles when he is forced to make plays down field.
How the Tigers can win this game is as simple as allowing Colton Endicott to control the pace of the game. Colton has been nothing short of elite in games he’s played this year, averaging a ridiculous six yards a carry and finding the endzone five times in three games. If the Tigers find themselves with consistent third and longs, the Warriors can limit his output. As long as the Tigers are able to stay within their comfort zone and aren’t forced to move away from their rushing attack, they should find themselves in a great spot to come out with another win.
I believe the Tigers will come out on top 35-23 and I think it will be in quick fashion. I think the Tigers will get out to an early lead and never let go. For some other predictions I think Endicott has his first 200-yard game this year and finds the endzone at least twice. I also believe that Roberts puts up 200 yards through the air for his third time in four games. On the defensive side of the ball I see Dylan Hacker (11) coming down with his fourth interception to further his team lead and near the top of the conference.
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