Game Preview: Catonsville at North Harford

For Catonsville High School football, reading keys and remaining disciplined on defense has been a point of emphasis all season. This Friday, against unbeaten North Harford, both are an absolute necessity if the Comets' plan on advancing to the 3A North Regional Finals.

Unlike most high school squads that feature only one or two basic offensive sets, the Hawks (10-0) are likely to use six or seven different formations in order to facilitate their triple option offense that has racked up almost 3,000 yards on the ground this season.

"They use a lot of formations but there are only two or three different things they really want to do -- they want to run option," said Catonsville head coach Rich Hambor, whose team returns to the post season for the first time since 2007. "Our first key is who has who on the option -- regardless of where they're standing. Once we have that decided before the snap, then we can adjust to them.

If we read our keys and have our assignments down, we can compete with anyone. We have that trust in each other." 

Similar to the idea of reading keys, the concept of playing assignment football is easier said than done.

In a triple option offense, three different players may be called upon to carry the ball, all depending on how the quarterback -- in this case, North Harford's Cody Turner (681 yards rushing, 16 TDs) -- reads the defense.

First, Turner will survey the defensive line at the snap. If he sees a gap in the front line he simply hands the ball off up the middle before carrying out the rest of his fake.

However if the defense is keying on the fullback, Turner will pull the ball out instead of handing off and bounce outside for his next read. Now, the quarterback must read the edge defender (usually a defensive end or corner back) to determine if he keeps the ball himself, or pitches outside to a running back or wing back (depending on the formation). 

Although it has many moving parts, this has been North Harford's bread and butter all season, and Turner -- a senior who took over the reigns to the triple option midway through his sophomore year -- is adept at running it.  

"We'll throw when we have to throw; it's not anything we shy away from. I'm just a firm believer if our running game is picking up five yards, there's no reason to put the ball in the air," said North Harford head coach Ken Brinkman. "It's about getting first downs and scoring points -- not trying to rush the game along." 

Brinkman, in his 10^th season as North Harford's head coach said the key to Hawks' offensive prowess this season has been an experienced tailback in Brandon Bayer (1069 yards rushing, 14 TDs) and an offensive line that has been fundamentally sound all season.  

Bayer, although not nearly as big, employs a similar running style to Catonsville fullback Tyler Weedon.

"[Bayer's] a very physical runner with a lot of patience," said Brinkman, whose squad has outscored opponents 369-136 this season. "When he sees a hole, he's a downhill type of runner -- fast, but not break away fast." 

Cleary with their hands full on defense, the Comets must continue to do what they have done all season on offense -- pound the ball with their power-I attack and control the clock as a result.  

Similarly to their offense, North Harford throws several different looks at their opposition on defense.

Although Brinkman said his team's base defense is a 3-4, he'll often walk up his outside linebackers and play more of a 5-2 scheme throughout the game.

However, in addition to their size advantage, Catonsville's offensive line benefits from starting the same core group all season. A unit that has been undeniably vital in amassing over 2,700 rushing yards (a gaudy 7.6 yards per attempt) and 35 touchdowns.

Tackles Will Moore and Mark Chambers, guards Antoine Wright (the lone junior of the group) and Dorian Briscoe and center Robert Hopp have played together in all nine games this season. Throw in junior tight end Julian Jones and you have six guys with their hands on the ground that have developed the type of cohesion and unity over the course of a season that it takes to win come playoff time. 

"In high school football, anytime you're able to keep guys healthy it's going to help," said Hambor, whose starting offensive line tip the scales at a 261-pound average. "The fact that we haven't had to worry about them being out has taken a huge load off our mind all season long. It's harder to replace the front six then it is the back four."  

That said, the Comets' backfield has taken full advantage of the holes opened up by their offensive line this season. 

Whether it's seniors Weedon, Bobby Turner and Tyreek Brown or juniors Jerome Williams and Josh Hylton, the Catonsville rushing attack has clicked on all cylinders and will present a difficult task for North Harford.

The Hawks also must account for wide out Deniko Carter in the passing game. The 6'4, 175-pound junior has 276 yards receiving (a 23-yard average) and half of his twelve catches have gone the distance for scores.

"I think athletically their receivers make some great plays," Brinkman said. "They have tall receivers that go up and get the ball."  

North Harford must also be conscious of Julian Jones from the tight end position. The junior possesses track speed and presents a difficult assignment for the linebackers or safeties he matches up against.

When called upon, quarterback Aaron Jones (459 yards, six TDs, 2 INTs, 85.3 QB rating) will try and take advantage of open receivers without being careless with the ball. The junior has come on strong toward the end of the season.

The Comets -- who have had occasional ball security issues this season -- can ill afford to turn the ball over against North Harford.

On paper, the two squads appear very similar, both having had monster seasons running the football -- each averaging about 300 yards per game on the ground.

The team that best forces the other to stray from its game plan will likely emerge the victor. Regardless, the contest will be a bruising, hard-hitting affair on both sides of the ball.

"I'm excited, the school's excited. We hope to put on a good show," Hambor said. "[The players] know now it's one and done for somebody. It's a little different then our other playoff atmospheres. I don't have to tell them -- they know it's more important."