Tigers hungry for title
Playoff game slated to be a physical affair
By Scott Ford
Argus Observer
scottf@argusobserver.com
Friday, November 20, 2009 10:38 AM PST
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| Argus Observer file photo Ontario hosts Banks at 1 p.m. Saturday at Tigers Stadium in Ontario. Tickets will go on sale at 11 a.m. |
Ontario—The playoffs have arrived in Ontario, and Saturday, the Tigers will hit the gridiron against a solid team, the Banks Braves.
Banks made it all the way to the championship game in 2008. The Braves are on a five-game winning streak and can put up a ton of points coming in to this match-up.
Ontario has rallied around the return of head coach Randy Waite and has won eight straight games and can also keep the scoreboard operator busy.
Banks (9-1) defeated North Marion in the opening round in convincing fashion, winning 42-14.
Banks is currently ranked fifth in the state, and Ontario is sixth.
“We are definitely going to have to play well in order to survive this round,” Waite said. “Banks played for the state championship a year ago and have quite a few players back with that experience. They are very talented in all aspects of the game, and we will have to be on our A-game.”
Bringing the A-game is something the Tigers have done for most the year as they have had no trouble handling their opponents. But then again, this is the playoffs, and the teams will be tougher.
Waite said his team will have to control the football like it did against Baker, and that means sustaining long, clock-eating drives.
“We have to win the turnover battle and play mistake-free football,” Waite said.
Defensively, the Braves will show the Tiger offense a 3-5 look. Waite said Banks has a very active linebacker who makes a lot of tackles.
The game is slated to kick off at 1 p.m. Saturday at Tiger Stadium. Tickets will go on sale at 11 a.m. The game will also be broadcasted live on KSRV1380 AM.
Fast facts
Offensive leaders
Ontario
Rushing: (No. 14) Frank Lopez—1532 yards and 18 touchdowns; (No. 7) Matt Anthony 455 yards and nine touchdowns.
Passing: (No. 12) Josh Mejia—783 yards and 10 touchdowns
Receiving: (No. 24) Nico Martinez—490 yards and eight touchdowns.
Banks
Rushing: (No. 2) Nick Turner—1338 yards and 14 touchdowns; (No. 28) Chris Decarlo—296 yards two touchdowns.
Passing: (No. 11) John Criswell—1114 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Receiving: (No. 18) Colby Seyferth—515 yards and six touchdowns
Team Offense
Ontario
Points for: 350; Points against: 154
Banks
Points for: 375; Points against 212
Last year's run
Ontario lost in the second round to Central 28-14. Banks lost in the championship game to Astoria 19-11.
