Class 6A state final breakdown

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

No. 5 Peoria Richwoods vs.

No. 2 Prairie Ridge

1 p.m. today, Champaign

McHenryCountySports.com’s Lester Johnson breaks down today’s game:

PEORIA RICHWOODS (10-3)

On offense: The Knights average 39.4 points a game and love to run the ball, but can and will pass. They have 4,110 yards rushing and 2,362 of that is by junior RB Kendrick Foster, who also has 30 TDs. RB Ryan Moredock has 936 yards and 13 TDs. QB Wes McCormack has thrown for 1,159 yards and 17 TDs and needs to give them some balance. His favorite target is Clayton Glasper with nine TDs. The Knights beat a solid Lemont team, 34-31, last week in double-OT. The Knights will face a tough run defense in the Wolves but will try to use the team’s speed to its advantage.

On defense: The Knights give up an average 217 rushing yards, 128 passing and 26.8 points a game. The Knights have faced only one other team that ran the option this season, and that was in their first playoff game. They have to stop Wolves FB Connor Greenwald, who has been big in the playoffs, and RB Jordan Getzelman, who can strike fast. Michael McElrath leads the team with 110 solo tackles, Derrick Thomas has 89 and Ben Couri has 67. They need to get the Wolves’ offense off the field and get the ball to their own.

PRAIRIE RIDGE (12-1)

On offense: The Wolves’ triple-option running attack rushed for 363 yards last week against Batavia. Greenwald led the way with 227 yards and two TDs. Greenwald is quick through the line and hard to bring down. RB Jordan Getzelman, RB Steve Bashor and QB Nick Nissen can all make plays, but Getzelman is their big-play threat. When Nissen throws the ball he looks for TE Nick Margiotta, WR Sean Valentine or Getzelman out of the backfield. The Wolves will not throw much. The offensive line of C Bennett Tomlin, G John Palsgrove, G Tom Evans, T Nick Hartleb and T Shane Evans has been key all season and will need one more big game. Prairie Ridge averages 42.5 points a game.

On defense: The Wolves give up an average of 9.4 points a game. They gave up 22 points and 433 total yards to Batavia last week, but only 57 on the ground. S Sean Folliard had a huge day with game-changing hit and interception late in the game which was one of three turnovers forced by Prairie Ridge. They are facing a Richwoods team that runs well but has balance and lots of speed. LB Collin Corcoran has 57 solo tackles and seven sacks, Brad Simms has 53 solo tackles and 17 sacks and Josh Hrudicka has 46 and six.

Lester Johnson’s pick

Prairie Ridge has to slow Foster but can’t forget Richwoods has other RBs who can hurt them. They must contain Richwoods speed and big plays, and control the game with the option. The Knights have to stop the Wolves’ option, hang on to the ball and use their speed.

Prairie Ridge 31,

Peoria Richwoods 21