So here is the situation: Ocean View is an astonishing 0-4 in league, 3-5 on the season. Ocean View has been outscored by a seemingly small margin of 24 points. The talent has shown flashes of capability, but the lack of sufficient coaching and playcalling has dragged them down. The Seahawks were poised to end massive losing streaks against conference powerhouses Segerstrom and Westminster, but fell short either on 2-Minute drills, or late game-planning on defense and special teams. The Seahawks outplayed Santa Ana, but was out-coached, and didn’t make adjustments to screen passes; eventually setting new records for the Saints. Against Orange, the team never got it going, period.
So do I predict a stunning turn of events? I don’t think I’m in position to say that I can. I know that Ocean View has the severe talent edge over Saddleback, but can the “misplaced” (I say that with the most possible gratitude and graciousness allowed on this blog) players put up a road victory? I’m not entirely sure.
Analysis after the jump.
Offense:
Ocean View will need to immediately jump out to a big lead, attack the center of the field, and open up the running game after the passing game. Applying the “simple” running tactics too early could let the Runners key in on the blocking schemes. Hint hint, if you had any kind of scouting, you would notice where Charlie Webb and Kody Afusia are, and blitz their side on obvious running situations, and the opposite on passing downs. Tippy’s arm injury looks to have subsided, but should the stitches have any complications, it will be very interesting to see how the Hawks deal with it, if they deal with it at all; Nolan hasn’t split reps, throughout the season, and the staff has no inclination to go with Baca, that’s for sure.
Defense:
Contain... contain... contain... ever since Coach Jeff Anger left the squad, the defense hasn’t been the same. Missed tackles, lost containment, sheer stupidity. The unbearable 2nd and 3rd levels have only been saved by CW and KA... a common theme around here. The only competent defensive players that will return next year have been MC (Out with fractured shoulder and bruised knee), BW, and BH; all of them are juniors. On the lighter side, the Hawks shouldn’t have too much trouble with the “weaker” Saddleback offense.
Fearless Predictions:
OV needs to win this game, for the sake of the program. I say this because if the team does end up losing this game (and trust me... it is very possible with little to no motivation for underclassmen) the attendance and roster size will certainly shrink. I could tell you who would quit right now, but will stay mum for the sake of my credibility, and it isn’t a pretty list. IMO, if Eggers and Co. can’t wrangle this W, I think you need to say goodbye; no matter how much experience they all have, their results have been less than acceptable. Do I think it will be pretty? No, but do I like the Hawks?
Personally, I see this as a last stab at the recruiting trail for the seniors. They will leave it all on the field in an emotional battle. I can see it getting ugly should the game start slipping away from the Hawks, but it won’t.
OV: 34
Saddleback: 23
Best of luck to all of the seniors in any future endeavors on or off a football field.
Oh... something for everyone to enjoy:
In 18 games, we beat Mater Dei:
- Ocean View High School BEAT Costa Mesa
- Costa Mesa BEAT Santa Ana High School
- Santa Ana High School BEAT Orange High School
- Orange High School BEAT Rancho Alamitos High School
- Rancho Alamitos High School BEAT Sunny Hills High School
- Sunny Hills High School BEAT Katella High School
- Katella High School BEAT Valencia High School (Placentia)
- Valencia High School (Placentia) BEAT Kennedy, John F. High School
- Kennedy, John F. High School BEAT Downey High School
- Downey High School BEAT Gahr High School
- Gahr High School BEAT Dominguez High School
- Dominguez High School BEAT Jordan High School
- Jordan High School BEAT Compton High School
- Compton High School BEAT Millikan HS (Long Beach)
- Millikan HS (Long Beach) BEAT Poly (Long Beach) High School
- Poly (Long Beach) High School BEAT Narbonne
- Narbonne BEAT Lutheran High School (Orange)
- Lutheran High School (Orange) BEAT Mater Dei High School
