Region D, 1A Semi Final
John I. Burton Raiders (9-2, 5-0) 3-seed
at
Patrick Henry Rebels (10-1, 2-1) 2-seed
J.I. Burton, fresh off a first round victory over Holston, faces a much stiffer task this week when they travel to take on the 10-1 Patrick Henry Rebels in the 1D semi finals. Burton is riding the wave of momentum of nine straight wins but the Rebels are no strangers to long winning streaks. Patrick Henry started the season with eight consecutive victories before falling to the Region D favorite Chilhowie. The Rebels bounced back and carry a two game winning streak into the game.
The two squads are polar opposites on the offense end. Burton, behind senior leader Houston Thacker, is not afraid to air the ball out and attack defenses vertically. Thacker’s favorite target is Derrick Allen, who caught a touchdown pass last week. The Raiders are no one trick ponies, as bruising fullback Mikey Culbertson and freshman Najee Steele are capable of gaining large chunks of yards on the ground behind a veteran offensive line.
It is not secret what the Rebels will do on offense. Run the football. Led by the duo of Zach Brown and Cody Smith, the Rebels wear down opposing defenses by using the two outstanding backs to pound on the defense. Brown is the unquestioned number one option for coach Mark Palmer’s offense but Smith is no backup. In their opening round contest, Brown rushed for 148 yards on only seven carries (21 yards per rush) while Smith added 115 yards. As a team, the Rebels finished with 362 rushing yards.
Both defenses figure to have their hands full with the opposing offenses. Burton has been stout on defense all season long but have been lights out over the past four games. In those contests, no team has scored more than six points and two teams were shut out. During that strerch, Burton is allowing a measly three points per game.
The Rebel defense has not been as dominant but has been successful nonetheless. In their last four wins, the Rebels allowed seven points per game.
Whichever team can impose their offense on the other will most likely advance to the Region D title game.
Tale of the Tape:
Patrick Henry:
- 10-1 overall, 2-1 in Hogoheegee
- 6-0 at home, 4-1 on road
- Offense scores 42 PPG
- Defense allows 19 PPG
- 2-1 lifetime against JIB, 0-1 in playoff
John I. Burton:
- 8-2 overall, 5-0 in Cumberland
- 3-2 on road, 6-0 at home
- Offense scores 36 PPG
- Defense allows 19 PLY
- 1-2 lifetime against PH, 1-0 in playoff
Fast Facts:
- Rebels coach Mark Palmer is 0-3 in second round of playoffs, 0-1 at home.
- Burton coach Jimbo Adams is 10-5 in second round, 2-2 on road.
- Rebels are looking to avenge last season’s home playoff defeat to Burton.
- Patrick Henry is 2-0 against Burton in regular season, winning by 11 PPG.
- Burton is 1-0 against Patrick Henry in postseason.
- Jimbo Adams is 8-0 against Mark Palmer, 3-0 in the playoffs.
Game time:
2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 17th at Nicewonder Field in Emory, VA.
For complete playoff coverage, visit http://coalfieldsports.com
Seth. Sports fan. Big Stone Gap native. Freelance writer. Knows the difference between a 3-4 and a 4-3 as well as the species of the symbiote from Spider-Man (Klyntar). A decade plus covering local high school sport in one capacity or another. Takes himself very, very seriously. Hire me!!!!
