ColumbusSports.com : Your place to stay informed and talk about the sports scene and sports teams in and around Columbus.

By Mike Hodge  (Hilliard Darby student)

On Saturday night, the hallowed grounds of Upper Arlington’s Moorehead Memorial Stadium will play host to a gridiron battle of epic proportions as the Dublin Coffman Shamrocks take on the Hilliard Darby Panthers.  With a regional title on the line, this game seems assured to be an instant classic!

The Panthers are coming into the game hot off of defeating Groveport Madison 16-3 in a regional semifinal match.  Aside from avenging their only previous loss of the regular season, Darby’s defense also proved to be one of the elite units in Central Ohio.  Throughout the entire course of the game, the Panthers allowed the Cruisers into their territory only two times.  Led by star linebacker B.J. Machen, the Panther’s defense has never been stronger.

Hoping to test that strong Darby defense are the Dublin Coffman Shamrocks.  Appearing in their second consecutive regional final, the Shamrocks look to be at the peak of their powers.  That skill was showcased last Saturday when the ‘Rocks’ spread offense shredded the previously “unstoppable” Pickerington Central defense en route to a 35-9 victory.

Leading the ‘Rocks ever-potent air attack is quarterback Zack Stoudt, who—operating out of a shotgun spread offense—is blessed with one of the strongest receiving corps in the state.  Also hoping to make a big difference in the game are Ohio-State-recruits receiver Jake Stoneburner, offensive tackle Mike Adams and Syracuse-recruit receiver Trey Fairchild.

Darby’s offense comes into Saturday’s game averaging 35.9 points per game and welcoming the return of fullback/linebacker Tim Carrier.  Like Coffman, Darby operates out of the versatile spread offense.  Instead of using the pass to open up the run, Darby opts for a more option-heavy attack, led by playmaking quarterback Jeremy Ebert (a Northwestern recruit with 4.3 speed) and bruising tailback Jordan Richeson.  When Darby does take to the air though, the golden hands of receiver Robbie Anzuini don’t fail to disappoint.

For Coffman to win this game, their offense will need to air the ball out long and often.  Darby is strong against the run and has yet to have been tested by a pass-centric offense.  Defensively, the ‘Rocks will need to contain Ebert and prevent him from making the big plays that he’s so capable of.

On the other side, to ensure a Panther victory, Darby is going to need another powerhouse performance from their stellar defense.  No team has yet to really get to Stoudt, and therein could lie the key to Darby’s success against the Coffman offense.  Aside from that, the Panthers will also want to contain Stoneburner and Fairchild, who both pose serious big-play potential on every route they run.  Offensively, Darby will want to set up the run against a gritty Coffman defense and keep Stoudt and his crew on the bench.

It is also worth noting that both teams have yet to face an opponent that runs a spread—until now.  Matchups and talent aside, the winning team tonight is going to be the one that has the ability to best prepare for something they have yet to see.

Regardless of the victor, this game has all the makings to a classic.  Both teams match up very well on paper here, and are sure to do so on the field.  Kickoff for this monolithic match is at 7:00 sharp at Upper Arlington’s Moorehead Memorial Stadium.  Make sure to mosey on down and check this game out!

Tags: hilliard darby