Landon Kleindorfer
BRAZIL, Indiana (DLC Media) – Northview is coming off their first loss of the season in a nine-point road loss to Terre Haute South. Now the Knights find themselves faced with another major test in the Guerin Catholic Golden Eagles (4-2). Northview will be tested much like they were one week prior through both the air and ground game. The Golden Eagles combine for 272.5 yards per game, with 150 of those yards on the ground.
Despite the loss against Terre Haute South, Northview still posts a 5-1 record. The Knights offense was still able to move the football, accumulating 343 yards of total offense. The biggest problem for the Knights would come once they reached the Brave’s side of the field. Finishing drives was a problem for much of the first half of the game. Once the Knights were able to get points on the board the game was shaping up for a great finish. The nail in the coffin for Northview was a botched PAT for South that turned into two points and a failed two point conversion from the Knights that kept the game a two possession game.
Overall, the offense for Northview continues to look fantastic. Cottee threw for nearly 100 yards last week, but the real power is in the run game. 350.2 total rushing yards per game with 32 rushing touchdowns is nothing to scoff at. This team could change its name from the Knights to the Bulls with the way that they power through defenders for extra yards. The offense is complemented with a stout defense that, despite the score last week, played well adding their 7th and 8th interceptions on the season (Slade Fell, pick six & Kyle Cottee).
The defense for Guerin Catholic is a punt forcing type of defense with good tackling. the D for the Golden Eagles has forced 7 turnovers total this season, however through the first three weeks of the season, they only allowed 20 points (6.6 ppg). The lack of turnovers has created some problems lately though. GC has allowed 25.6 points per game in their last three games. It is important to not that these are not weak teams with a 34-29 win over Brebeuf and a 25-21 loss to Roncalli.
FINAL ANALYSIS…
Northview is back home but faces a tough opponent. The Guerrin Catholic offense is going to be trying to find gaps in the Knights defense through the air. If that happens, the Knights may struggle to make stops early in the game. This game could be dependent on how both teams start the game. Also, running back Tyler Lee took a huge hit at the end of the game against Terre Haute South. If Lee is able to shake that off and keep moving forward like he has all season, the team should succeed. The biggest high note of last week was the newly formed passing offense of Kyle Cottee. Air yards may be the kryptonite for the Golden Eagles if they are not expecting it.
Final Score Prediction: 27-21 Northview def. Guerin Catholic
NV Sagarin Rating: 64.43 (26th in 4A)
GC Sagarin Rating: 78.92 (2nd in 3A)