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Preview: Sycamore at Mason

Mason head coach Brian Castner (photo by: Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball.com)

It’s the annual Battle of the Skies Cup and the Blitz 5 Game of the Week launches its rockets north to Mason. The Comets look to keep visiting Sycamore out of the win column this season. 

This rivalry has been all one-sided as of late with Mason winning the last four in the series. The visiting Aviators would love nothing more than to play the role of spoiler and bring “The Cup” back to their trophy case. 

Mason still controls its own destiny. A win over the Aviators is the first hurdle to finishing in sole possession of second place in the GMC with an outside chance, with some luck and a lot of prayers, of a possible share of the league title. That is all predicated on the Comets beating Sycamore on Friday night, then Fairfield and winning at Princeton to close out the year. The home team has plenty to play for.

SYCAMORE AVIATORS (0-7, 0-6) at #10 MASON COMETS (5-2, 5-1)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m., September 16th
Atrium Stadium, Dwire Field
Follow on Twitter: @TSFootball 

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Sycamore offense has moved the ball better since junior Seth Truter was inserted at quarterback. He has thrown for 577 yards and five touchdowns, all to classmate Gio Garrett. One of the hidden gems of the GMC, Garrett has 14 of his 19 receptions and 256 of his 300 receiving yards and the five scores with Truter under center.

Defense has been the name of the game for Mason. Seniors Jake Bates, Nick Sailers, Bryce Faulk and Caden Davis have led the way. Faulk has team highs with eight-and-a-half tackles for losses, three sacks and two fumble recoveries.

The Comets offense has seen a couple underclassmen assert themselves as threats. Sophomore running back Shelvon “Tay” Hibbett paces the squad with 455 yards and has four touchdowns rushing. Junior Braden Greer leads the team with 24 receptions, 327 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

TEAM TRENDS: Sycamore has not played well in the first half of games. The Aviators have been outscored by an average of 18.9 points in the first 24 minutes of contests. They have been better the last three weeks trailing just 9-7, 7-3 and 7-0 heading into intermission, in those battles. Compounding the team’s woes is 18 turnovers and a minus-six turnover ratio. On the bright side the Sycamore defense has 12 takeaways including seven in the last three tilts.

Mason held its first six opponents to nine points or less. The Comets are allowing 10.7 points per game. Mason is looking for its eighth straight playoff appearance. The Comets are 3-7  in the postseason over the last seven years and have not made it past the second round of the playoffs in that span.

HEAD COACHES:
Sycamore: Scott Dattilo (103-74 at Sycamore, 17th year; 120-88 overall, 20th year)

Mason: Brian Castner (79-54 at Mason, 13th year; 79-54 overall) 

PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Sycamore (nine appearances, 5-9) – 2021, 2020, 2017, 2016, 2012, 2011, 2007, 2006, 199

Mason (13 appearances, 4-13) – 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2011, 2004, 2003, 1999, 1997, 1996 

SYCAMORE’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Play loose, have fun, don’t press. That can be accomplished by starting strong and taking care of the football. That means the Aviators will have to do something that they haven’t done all season long, only averaging 2.2 points per game before halftime and 18 offensive possessions given away on the year. Sycamore must continue on its improvement path and not get thrown off that course. The Aviators are starting to form an identity and giving the fans a glimpse of what looks to be a promising future.

MASON’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Just because Sycamore is winless doesn’t mean this is going to be a cakewalk. Stick to the game plan, wear down the Aviators defensive front. Get that done sooner than later so the Comets can rest some starters and develop some depth before an intense last two weeks of the regular season against Fairfield and Princeton.

Prediction: Mason 28, Sycamore 7 

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