NC looks for elusive first win against Monroe Area
Michael predicts how the Warriors will fare against the other time under the Friday night lights.
NC travels to Monroe Area this week in their final pre-region game of the season to take on the Monroe Area Purple Hurricanes in search of that elusive first victory. NC handled a Monroe Area team that won only one game last season, 41-12.
On offense, Monroe Area utilizes several moving pieces, both pre and post snap. Jet motions, misdirection, and pulling linemen will feature prominently in an effort to mislead defensive players and create a numbers advantage for blockers and ball carriers, similar to Auburn or Clemson, but without the heavy use of a H-back.
The Purple Hurricanes use different running plays, from both inside and outside zones, as well as one back powers and counters. The offense will almost entirely be a one-back offense with four receivers, relying on both running back (#9) C.J. Winding and quarterback (#2) Hunter Byron to carry the ball. NC failed to win the turnover battle in the first three games, and must make less mistakes in the red zone to finally control the game.
Defensively, the Purple Hurricanes play four defensive linemen and four linebackers in their base formation. However, the two outside linebackers position over the inside receivers to help against the deep ball.
Monroe Area’s formations provide an insight into NC’s latest challenge.
The defensive backs, the strength of the team, mostly execute zone coverage, with two or three players (the corners and safety) splitting the field behind the linebackers into three pieces of responsibility. The defense may occasionally blitz a corner as well, but will mostly send linebackers or play its base zone coverage.
NC looks to take advantage of the inferior number of defensive backs by passing the ball with regularity and allowing its receivers to break tackles and pick up yards after the catch.
All told, NC remains able to win this game, in what ultimately proves a make-or-break game for the rest of the 2015 NC football season. A win provides momentum to build off, while a loss could potentially be too tough a blow for a resilient NC program to this point.
The Chant’s Prediction: North Cobb: 35, Monroe Area: 14
Michael Smith is a senior in the International Studies Magnet Program at North Cobb High School and holds the position as Sports Editor in The Chant. Michael...
