Welcome to playoff football. It is win or go home this time of the season and all of the teams are vying for a chance to play for a national championship. Only one team can be crowned champion.


Week 12 Capsules

# 6 Assumption (9-2, 8-1 NE-10) @ # 3 Shepherd (10-0, 10-0 MEC)

When: November 19th, 12 PM

All-Time Series: First Meeting

Shepherd Playoff History

10th playoff appearance

10-9 overall record

1-1 against the NE-10

Assumption Playoff History

2nd playoff appearance

1-1 overall record

0-0 against the MEC


Common Opponents: None

Link to Team Stats:

Shepherd

Assumption

Game Day Central

Video Link


My thoughts: Are you ready for some playoff football?


Shepherd Scouting Report:

Shepherd has been one of the top teams in Super Region One for many years and made it all the way to the National Championship game last year. They are very experienced and talented. They are used to the playoff stage and excel in these situations.

The offense is anchored by quarterback Jeff Ziemba. The senior moves the ball via the air and makes good decisions in the pocket. Brandon Hlavach is the leading running back and will be the benefactor of the Rams' passing game. Billy Brown is the main target for Ziemba as he has hauled in 14 touchdowns this year. He is a big, physical receiver and will be the focal point of the passing game. CJ Davis and Ryan Feiss are also dangerous receivers as they will pick up the slack when Brown is double covered. The offensive line is big and physical.

The defense is anchored by their linebackers. Octavius Thomas, James Gupton and Tre Anderson are all over the field and seem to be in on every play. The defensive line does a great job applying pressure on the opposing quarterback. Myles Humphrey, Bruno Anyangwe and James King are no strangers to putting the quarterback down with a sack. Tre Sullivan and Chris Jones are the anchors of the secondary. Zach Wise will handle the place kicking and Ruan Venter will handle the punting.

Assumption Scouting Report:

Assumption enters the game off a tough loss at LIU Post in the NE-10 Championship game. The Greyhounds looked solid in the opening quarter but were not able to find the end zone. Then they were not able to handle the speed and power of the Pioneers.

The offense is led by Marc Monks. He has been solid all season long and will need to continue his solid play. Alex Shain and Dylan Oxsen will share the duties out of the backfield. Shain will grind out tough yards while Oxsen will find holes in the defensive line. Ashton Grant and Deonte Harris are the main targets in the passing game. Both have battled injuries this year and need to be healthy for Monks to stretch the field. The offensive line has protected Monks well and will face their toughest test of the season.

The defense is anchored by safety Jarrod Casey. He is the heart and soul of the defense and always makes big plays in big moments. The defense line of Ray Sarkodieh and Joe Bruno can apply pressure and stop the run. Levi Fancher and Nick Valenti will patrol the middle of the field and rush the quarterback when necessary. The secondary of Andrew Benson, Bakari Blunt, Kyle Contreras and Charles Reid are one of the best in the league. Cole Tracy is a dependable kicker and Seamus Wallace will handle the punting.


Shepherd Keys to the Game:

1. Get the ball in the hands of Billy Brown.
2. Pressure Marc Monks.
3. Continue their third down success.


Assumption Keys to the Game:

1. Limit the mistakes.
2. Eliminate the loud and hostile crowd.
3. Shut down the Shepherd passing game.

So who wins and why?

Shepherd is no stranger to the national stage and Assumption is a solid road team. If any team can come into Shepherdstown, WV and win, it is the Greyhounds. They are not afraid of the hostile road environment and thrive in it.

But Shepherd is a solid team and will look to regain their 2015 run to the championship game. They are more talented and bigger than Assumption. Plus the Greyhounds were a bit banged up last week and need those players to be completely healthy to pull off the upset on the road.

Assumption will make it a game in the opening half but Shepherd will pull away with the victory in the second half.

Prediction: Shepherd 34 Assumption 17


# 7 Winston Salem State (9-2, 7-0 CIAA) @ # 2 LIU Post (11-0, 9-0 NE-10)

When: November 19th, 12 PM

All-Time Series: First Meeting

LIU Post Playoff History

5th playoff appearance

2-4 overall record

0-1 against the CIAA

Winston Salem State Playoff History

9th playoff appearance

7-8 overall record

1-0 against the NE-10

Common Opponents: Virginia Union

LIU Post 14 @ Virginia Union 12

Virginia Union 37 @ WSSU 14

Link to Team Stats:

LIU Post

Winston Salem State

Game Day Central

Video Link

My thoughts: Are you ready for some playoff football, part II?


LIU Post Scouting Report:

LIU Post enters the game off an impressive 43-23 victory over Assumption in the NE-10 Championship game. The defense for the Pioneers held Assumption to three field goals in the first quarter and that was enough for the offense to rattle off 37 straight points. The defense then settled in and played solid for the remainder of the game.

The Post offense is run by Jeff Kidd. He is a dual threat quarterback who will stretch the field. Malik Pierre and David White will share the running duties and both are capable of big plays. Shane Hubbard, Kyle Ward and James Higgins are the focal points in the passing game. They are a very balanced offense and will take exactly what the opposing defense is giving them. The offensive line is solid and protects Kidd very well.

The defense is anchored by their defensive line. Kenny Scotland, Kevin Petit-Frere, Anthony DeNunzio and Jess Agboste are one of the top units in the country. They get after the quarterback and limit the running game. Connor Farrell, Ryan Renfroe and Nate Feliz are the linebackers and will patrol the middle of the field. Jared Chester, Joshua Flowers, Richard Wright and Jhaleel Oswald limit the opposing passing game and will be all over the field. Joey Tolygesi will handle both the punting kicking duties for the Pioneers.

Winston Salem State Scouting Report:

Winston Salem State dropped two of their first three games before capping off their current eight-game winning streak with a 43-33 victory over Bowie State in the CIAA Championship game. The Rams return to the playoffs for the first time in a couple of years and made it all the way to the title game in 2012.

The offense will be led by quarterback Rod Tinsley. The redshirt sophomore has 16 touchdown passes but is completing just 52% of his passes. Kerrion Moore will see much of the carries out the backfield. Justus Pickett will spell him. Canard Brown and Will Walton will be the main targets for Tinsley as well as tight end Demeeko Jones. The left side of the offensive line averages over 300 pounds.

The defense will be anchored by linebackers Xavier Gregory, Jayron Rankin and James Bernard. Jarrell Bright is the sack leader with 12 from his defensive line position. Albert McLean and Kyrell Williamson will also bring pressure on the quarterback. Cameron Sullivan will be the leader of a deep secondary. PJ Clyburn, Tyrell Fleming and Josh Martin will look to stop the opposing passing game. Will Johnson will handle all of the kicking for the Rams.


LIU Post Keys to the Game:

1. Stop the WSSU running game.
2. Score in the red zone.
3. Force turnovers.


Winston Salem State Keys to the Game:

1. Limit the receivers of Post.
2. Take the crowd out of the game early.
3. Force Kidd to make bad decisions.


So who wins and why?

This game features two very physical teams. Post and WSSU like to run the ball to set up their passing attack. Both enter the game fresh off championship game success and need to carry that momentum into this weekend. Both have punishing defenses that apply pressure and make plays.

This game will be very evenly matched as both teams have depth at several key positions. But Post has the strength on the offensive side of the ball. They should be able to get some separation and allow Kidd to open up the running game. WSSU will try to run the ball but the Post defensive line is strong and doesn't allow many running opportunities.

Post will use their offense to control the game and win their first playoff game since 2005.

Prediction: Post 28 WSSU 10