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Preview: Withrow vs. Anderson

Withrow QB Luke Dunn (photo by: Shelby Frieszell / TriStateFootball.com)

You couldn’t ask for a better matchup for the 2023 Division II, Region 8 Regional Championship. The defensive prowess of upstart Withrow will meet its toughest test against an Anderson offense that lights up the scoreboard with unbridled regularity. These two squads are loaded with athleticism and players that will continue their future careers on Saturdays at the next level and both teams should put on quite a show in this affair.

#3 WITHROW TIGERS (12-1) vs. #1 ANDERSON RAPTORS (12-1)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Jake Sweeney Automotive Group Stadium, Pat Mancuso Field, Princeton H.S.
Follow on X: @TSFootball 

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Injuries led to Withrow not being able to show its full arsenal of weapons on offense during the regular season, but that has changed in the playoffs. Senior Demetrius Howard has given the Tigers’ rushing attack a big boost with back-to-back 100-yard games on the ground (the first two of the year for Withrow). Also finding a way to get totes in the postseason is Kentucky commit and defensive back, Terhyon Nichols, who has averaged 14.7 yards on nine carries with two touchdowns. Classmate Luke Dunn has thrown for 2,586 yards and 36 touchdowns. He has a myriad of talented receivers to get the ball to including 6-foot-5, 190-pound sophomore, Chris Henry, Jr. The Ohio State commit has 65 receptions for 1,070 yards and 10 touchdowns. The tall target of 6-foot-6 Myles Rochelle, the speedy Quintin Simmons and the reliable Kristian Bonner are all healthy after missing time during the regular season. Simmons and Bonner have combined for 16 receptions for 304 yards and six scores during the playoffs.

The spark plug for the Anderson offense is running back Brodey Berg. The senior is a touchdown machine with 40 of them (32 rush, eight rec). To put into perspective, Berg averages 13.4 points more per game than the Withrow defense allows. The Columbia commit has amassed 2,330 all-purpose, run for 1,373 yards with 58 receptions for 795 yards and 246 total points scored. Quarterback Justice Burnam is quite the distributor. The junior has racked up 4,187 yards of total offense (3,628 pass, 559 rush) and accounted for 41 touchdowns (35 pass, six rush). Classmate Trace Jallick leads the Raptors with 103 receptions, 1,111 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

TEAM TRENDS: This is the first-ever regional finals appearance for Withrow. The Tigers have won a school record 12 games. Anderson is in the finals for a second straight year. The Raptors won regional titles in 2007 and ’08.

The Withrow defense has been stellar allowing just 5.5 points per game. The Tigers haven’t given up more than 14 points in a contest and have five shutouts. Add in a potent offense and this team has buried the opposition with a 32.6-point average margin of victory.

The Anderson offense packs quite a punch with a 41.8 point per contest average. The Raptors have scored 41 points or more in 10 of their 13 tilts.

HEAD COACHES:
Withrow: Kali Jones 33-20 at Withrow, fifth year; 39-34 overall, seventh year)

Anderson: Evan Dreyer (69-26 at Anderson, eighth year; 113-53 overall, 15th year)

PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Withrow (seventh appearance, 6-6) – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2013, 2007, 2004

Anderson (17th appearance, 24-15) – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2009, 2008 (State Runner-up), 2007 (State Champion), 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1996, 1994, 1992

WITHROW’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Paying attention to the details is a must in a game like this. The Tigers were penalized 12 times for 140 yards and had two turnovers last week. Those mistakes will be even more modified this week, so they need to be eliminated. If Withrow is as successful as it was running the football against Troy, it will lead to the team’s desired results when the clock runs out.

ANDERSON’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Finding seams in the Withrow defense won’t be easy so it is important that the Raptors big tight ends Jack Sammarco and Caden Piening find spaces to get open, keep the chains moving on tough third and fourth down situations and keep the Tigers “honest” on defense. On the flip side, the Raptors secondary will be tested by Withrow’s height, length and speed at receiver. They can’t allow the Tigers to go over the top of them down the field and in the red zone.

Prediction: Withrow 24, Anderson 17

 

 

 

 

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