Ben Evensen is a Mount Si High School senior and an aspiring sportswriter. Look for his game analysis before each Mount Si football game throughout the 2013 season. To follow Mount Si Football visit their website and/or Facebook page.
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Mount Si Football made it through the first round of the state playoffs with a 40-7 rout of Oak Harbor High School. Oak Harbor scored the first points of the game, but after that, Mount Si never looked back.
Trevor Daniels caught two of quarterback Nick Mitchell’s three touchdown passes. Parker Dumas caught the other, while Bailey Takacs and Evan Johnson added their own rushing touchdowns.
But this Friday, November 15, 2013, the Wildcats have a very difficult task on hand – the undefeated O’Dea Irish, ranked #2 in the state. The game will be huge for Mount Si, as O’Dea is by far the toughest team they have faced all season – aside from #1 Bellevue.
The Irish defeated their opponents by 18+ points every game this season. They had impressive wins over Issaquah (51-26) and #7 Eastside Catholic (63-45). Their 49-7 opening round playoff victory over Kelso High School once again showed their dominance.
Played at a “neutral” site in Seattle, the Wildcat defense has their hands full with O’Dea’s explosive running game. The Irish rely on the ground game, and Mount Si had some trouble containing opponents’ rushing attacks this season. The Irish scored 35+ points in all 10 games, so Mount Si’s defensive holes will most likely be exposed.
The good news comes offensively. O’Dea has struggled stopping the pass. While Mount Si has a great running game, the air attack has been their specialty this season. If the Wildcat receiving core can continue last week’s successful play, they should have no trouble putting points on the board. On the season, O’Dea held some opponents nearly scoreless, but against good teams they gave up A LOT of points.
Expect this to be a shootout; one team scoring on the ground, one team through the air. Both teams are accustomed to putting up huge point totals, and while it won’t be the 50’s or 60’s, expect each team to score well over 30 points.
If Mount Si can move the ball through the air, and if the defense (for the most part) can contain O’Dea’s running game, the Wildcats can win this game. It will not be easy, though. Mount Si will need the offense to carry them through the game, as the defense may be overmatched.
It’ll be tough, and very well could be the final game for the Wildcats, but I predict a close Wildcat win.
Prediction: Mount Si 42 O’Dea 38
