Playoff Preview: Mason vs. Sycamore

Uncharted waters and familiar foes promises to make this Division I Region 4 semifinal affair between Mason and Sycamore one that will be talked about for years to come. It’s a large billing and hype, perhaps even over-hype for a game that is yet to be played but the stakes are the highest that they have ever been for both of these football programs.

Mason DE Alex King (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Greater Miami Conference rivals this will be the third meeting between the two schools in the last 13 games. Two weeks ago, Sycamore won the regular season finale over the Comets, 17-10. They did so only running 45 offensive plays. Mason clipped the Aviators wings the year before that, 22-18.

The series and the current players involved in it began in ’14 when in Week 10 Sycamore crushed the Comets, 36-0. That upset loss kept Mason from earning a playoff berth. Friday night’s seniors were sophomores in that game and it will be a motivating factor when the teams take the field.

The other part of those aforementioned stakes is that neither program has ever been to the Regional championship game. A victory will get them there and set the bar for those who follow in their footsteps. Neither teams has ever won two post-season games in the same year. Mason’s playoff win over Elder last week was the school’s first at the Division I level. Sycamore picked up its second ever playoff win by beating Lebanon this past Friday.

No. 3 MASON COMETS (7-4) vs. No. 7 SYCAMORE AVIATORS (7-4)
Kickoff: Friday, November 11th, 7:30 p.m., Barnitz Stadium, Chris Carter Field
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PLAYERS TO WATCH: This will come down to a battle of the backs. Mason’s Matt Sora and Sycamore’s Ra’Von Bonner will have their numbers called more than anyone else on the night. They will be the focal points and their battles will be with perseverance as the game wears on. Sora ran for a career high 245 yards in the win over Elder last week. The junior has 1,215 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing on the year.

Bonner is Sycamore’s all-time leading rusher and is one touchdown away from being on state’s all-time list. He currently has 75 touchdowns in his career. Committed to Illinois, Bonner has had an outstanding senior season running for 1,948 and 32 touchdowns. He has run for 200-plus yards in four of the past five games, the Aviators are 5-0 in that span.

Sycamore DB Khalis Hicks (photo by Justin Sheldon/TriStateFootball.com)

As good as those two players are it will be up to the defenses to make the ultimate statement in this contest. Mason finds strength up front behind Alex King and Zaid Hamdan. King, a University of Kentucky commit, had 14 tackles for losses and six sacks during the regular season. Hamdan registered seven sacks and 15.5 tackles for losses. Defensive back Jalen Johnson has taken advantage of their pressure with a team leading three interceptions.

Grant Young and Tate Goodyear wreak havoc for the Sycamore defense. Goodyear has six sacks. Young has three sacks and has recovered three fumbles. Khalis Hicks, a transfer from Mason, leads the Aviators with three interceptions. Two of those came against the Comets during the last meeting.

TEAM TRENDS: How close were these squads from being not just good but almost great? Tough defeats have kept both from being really special. Mason’s losses have been by three, four, seven and 14 points. Three of Sycamore’s four defeats have been by one, three and eight points.

Sycamore was sitting at 2-4 and allowing 31.0 points per game before turning its season around. During the Aviators current five game winning streak the defense has held opponents to 13.2 points per contest.

Mason hasn’t had a winning streak of more than two games all season. The Comets are 2-3 in games decided by seven points or less.

Mason DL Zaid Hamdan (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

MASON’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Possessions will be precious. Two turnovers in the regular season finale cost the Comets dearly. The defense has to stop Sycamore on third and fourth down. The Aviators have been able to keep the chains moving against Mason over the last three tilts converting more than .50% of their third and fourth downs. If they clean the miscues up and find a way to stay off the field on defense everything else should fall in place to come out on top.

SYCAMORE’S KEYS TO VICTORY: The Aviators made the most of every play in their win over Mason two Friday’s ago. Sycamore only ran 45 plays yet still managed to get the win. They have played faultless football in their last two contests versus Mason. The Aviators will need that kind of spotless effort again in order to advance.

Prediction: SYCAMORE 20, MASON 17

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