5 Reasons Hopatcong Could Beat Ramsey

Hopatcong will return to the playoffs for the first time in five years when it faces second-seeded Ramsey in the first round of the North 1, Group 2 playoffs Friday at 7 p.m. at Ramsey High School.

And the Chiefs will be ready.

Hopatcong (6-3) earned the seventh seed after a versatile running game and stonewall defense lead to a surprise season. And though Ramsey (8-1) looks to be a formidable foe, there's reason to believe the Chiefs could pull out the victory.

Here's why.

GROUND GAME Austin Brown, Feyi Olugbenga and Johann Lara have spent much of 2011 tearing apart defenses. The recipe? Heavy doses of seniors Brown and Olugbenga between the tackles sprinkled with shots of Lara, a sophomore, rushing the edges. Each player has racked up big yards for the Chiefs, and each is capable of shouldering the load behind a stout offensive line against Ramsey.

TALKIN' ABOUT PRACTICE Hopatcong to powerhosue Butler, 35-29, on the road on Thursday night. But the outcome wasn't important. Head coach Gary Andolena's boys had a playoff berth sown up. And Hopatcong hadn't had school for four days due to a monster snowstorm. A week of practice should do the Chiefs worlds of good.

OWN THE CLOCK If Hopatcong's three-headed running attack gets going, it could be a long 48 minutes for Ramsey. The Chiefs will look to control the time of possession and hammer away at the line of scrimmage.

STINGY 'D' Hopatcong recorded two shutouts and three games in which it held the opposition to six points or less. Sure, it gave up 20 or more points in three of the last five games. But expect the Chiefs to key on Ramsey running back DeJean Adair, who's scored seven touchdowns in his last three games.

HISTORY Hopatcong drubbed Ramsey, 41-13, at home in 2006 as Joe Martinek rushed for four touchdowns and returned and interception for a touchdown. That was under head coach Paul Reduzzi. It was also Hopatcong's last playoff victory. The Chiefs lost the next week to Pascack Valley, 22-0, as Martinek gained just 15 yards on 17 carries.

Got some more reasons Hopatcong could win? Tell us in the comments.