Welcome to the regional championship round of the playoffs. For the first time in six years, the NE-10 has advanced this far and will look to take their first regional title.


IUP Playoff History

18th playoff appearance

21-17 overall record

1-0 against the NE-10


Assumption Playoff History

3rd playoff appearance

3-2 overall record

1-1 against the PSAC


Head to Head

First Meeting


Week 13 Capsules

# 3 Assumption (11-1, 8-1 NE-10) @ # 1 IUP (12-0, 6-0 PSAC West)

When: December 2nd, 12 PM

All-Time Series: First Meeting

Common Opponents: None

Link to Team Stats:

IUP

Assumption

Game Day Central

Video Link (Updated 12/1/17)


My thoughts: Are you ready for some regional championship playoff football?

IUP Scouting Report:

IUP advanced to the regional championship game based on a 44-10 victory over West Chester. It was their second straight victory over the Rams as they also defeated them in the PSAC Championship game several weeks earlier.

The Crimson Hawks have a dynamic offense. It all starts with quarterback Lenny Williams, Jr. He is a threat to throw the ball with 29 touchdown passes and also to take off and run with over 300 yards. Samir Bullock is the main guy out of the backfield as he has over 1,000 yards on the season. Justice Evans will spell him and is just as dangerous. Allen Wright is the main target through the air with 68 catches and four scores. 10 different receivers have caught touchdowns this year and you need to account for Dom McNeil and Chris Wuestner. Jerron Searles, Colin McAllister, Josh Dauberman, Joe Peterson and Jeff Arnold are solid in the trenches.

The defense has been lights out for 12 straight weeks. The linebackers are all over the field and seem to be in on every tackle. Nick Amendola and Damon Lloyd lead the team in tackles and makes plays week in and week out. The defensive line of Jemal Averette, Justin Weldon, Jordan Diven, Deandre Easterling and Dondrea Tillman are quick and spend a lot of time in the backfield. Max Redfield, Mike Pietrolpola, Takhi Turner, Jay Watkins Anthony Davis, and JR Stevens are very talented and limit the opponent passing game.

Dillon Sarka will had the kicking duties and has been very reliable from anywhere on the field. Nico Ruiz will be the punter and is very good at pinning the team inside the 20-yard line. McNeil and Pietropola are the main returners.

Assumption Scouting Report:

Assumption took care of business with a 45-26 over Findlay. It is the first time in school history that they have advanced this far.

The Greyhounds have one of the top offenses in the country. All three quarterbacks saw action last week. Brendan Tobey started before being replaced in the second half. Marc Monks entered the game and provided a spark. Cody Williams played in short field situations and will continue to see time in certain situations. Dylan Oxsen was the workhorse last weekend but Doug Santos and Khaleed Exum-Strong will see their fair share of carries. Deonte Harris was the go to guy last week but the Greyhounds will need for Ashton Grant, Sam Blake and Brandon Swain-Price to make catches and help to stretch the field. The offensive line of James McNerney, Tyler Armillay, Jason Rice, Patrick Corcoran and Michael McDonald will need to be solid in the trenches.

The defense has been anchored by the secondary. Andrew Benson makes big plays week in and week out. Chris Carabello, Joe Kim, Shawn Springs, Jr., DJ Hernandez and Carlins Platel will need to continue their ball hawking abilities like last week. Kaleb Silva, Bryce Jacob, Levi Fancher, and Charles Williams III will patrol the middle of the field. The front line of Joe Bruno, Jedidiah Scott, Jason Flanagan, Jalen Johnson, Goran Krasic, and Ray Sarkodieh will need to apply pressure and make the quarterback make quick decisions.

Cole Tracy is one of the top kickers in the country and nearly automatic from anywhere on the field. Seamus Wallace will handle the punting and Harris is a threat to return any punt or kick back for a touchdown or two or three.


IUP Keys to the Game:

1. Establish the running game.
2. Limit the big play capability of Assumption.
3. Continue to play with confidence.



Assumption Keys to the Game:

1. Convert on third down and move the chains.
2. Make tackles in the open field.
3. Make a play or two in special teams.

So who wins and why?

A regional championship is on the line and both teams deserve to be here. They have taken care of business all season long and have earned their spot in this game.

IUP is playing at another level. They are solid on both sides of the ball and very rarely make a ton of mistakes. Assumption has been very opportunistic in their opponent's mistakes this playoff run and that is why they have won two games.

I just think that IUP will push Assumption around and take care of the ball. They have a shot at a national championship and will show why they earned the top seed in the region.


Prediction: IUP 31 Assumption 13