I’m real interested to see Wagoner’s adjustments and how they attack Cushing offensively and defensively. I know they’ll make some because they have real good coaches there. Rewatched the first game and here was my takeaway of Wagoner defensively:
Cushing scored 2 touchdowns when Wagoner brought 6 guys, 3 touchdowns when they brought 4, 1 touchdown when they brought 3.
Had 3 or 4 other big pass plays when they brought 6 and a couple when they only brought 3. Had their only 2 sacks when they brought 4.
So basically, if you bring pressure, you better get to him or you’re leaving everyone on an island. If you don’t bring pressure, you give an excellent QB time to pick you apart. I don’t envy the job of Coach Keenom this week.
Here is the link if anyone wants to watch the first meeting. Game starts at 48:30.
He’s coaching in the state championship game. There’s a heckuva lot of people that envy him right now, for good reason.
🤦🏻♂️ I was saying that tongue-in-cheek. I realize if you are a football coach, of course you want to be in his shoes. State championship game, all of that. I meant I don’t envy the job he has to do against one of the best offenses 4A has ever seen. It was sarcasm.
He’s coaching in the state championship game. There’s a heckuva lot of people that envy him right now, for good reason.
Yeah…..only about 30 other DCs. But yes he does have a tough task. But Keenom is a great coach and he’ll learn from previous mistakes and figure it out. But…..I’d love, but also hate, to be in his shoes. Trying to find a way to stop those weapons would turn most guys into damn near full blown alcoholics.
Flip side is, Ryan has nothing to lose. But if, IF, Cushing doesn’t perform up to par, well that’s a fail of epic proportions…when talking about a generational-type offense. Cushing should win, by 3 scores, maybe more. I can promise you, the play caller at Cush has more to fear, and lose, in this game than Ryan Keenom does.
Flip side is, Ryan has nothing to lose. But if, IF, Cushing doesn’t perform up to par, well that’s a fail of epic proportions…when talking about a generational-type offense. Cushing should win, by 3 scores, maybe more. I can promise you, the play caller at Cush has more to fear, and lose, in this game than Ryan Keenom does.
Oh heck yes. The Cushing play caller must do one hellacious job of doing a self-scout more so than he’s ever done and try to find his own tendencies and go against them. Because he has to be thinking that Keenom, knowing a full games worth of going against them, will have a game plan together way better than what he had before. This is what will make this game the best one of the finals in my opinion.
I have no doubt in Keenom. He’s a good, young DC. Did a great job at Hilldale too. Wagoner is the cream of the crop as far as 4A programs go (well just behind Clinton). Pretty impressive that their “down year” still results in a trip to the state finals. That’s a testament to Condict and the staff he has assembled, as well as the kids that have grown up seeing nothing but the success of Wagoner’s program.
The whole point of the original post was that this will be the toughest task Keenom has had since coming to Wagoner.
Of course all of the pressure is on Cushing and the OC. They are the team that has been the favorite by most all year. A loss results in a subpar season for them. A loss by Wagoner is still a really good year, all things considered.
Like I said, I’m ready to see what kind of things Wagoner throws at them. Because they threw a lot at them the first go round. Rodriguez at QB. Didn’t work. Charboneau at QB. Didn’t work. Bring pressure. Didn’t work. Rush 3 drop 8 (Alex Grinch much?) didn’t work.
I’ve watched the live streams of Cushing. I found one major tell by one of their offensive lineman that, as a DC, I’d exploit. I hope Keenom sees it and decides to use it. This is coming from an old retired guy.
It's pretty clear where our strengths and weakness's are, both sides. Anyone who has spent time watching knows this. If the arm of Berlowitz could be neutralized, our opportunities go way up. And, to be very clear, I'm not wishing for an injury. However, I sure welcome the worst night of weather the heavens can unload on us....cold with a torrential down pour. Absolute miserable weather! If we fight this nose to nose in the trenches, ground and pound style, we may have a totally different game. A few years back Locust Grove had a QB that rivaled Berlowitz and gang. No one thought the opposing team could punch their ticket, but with the aide of weather that happened. Such a game, would be huge for Wagoner. I'll sit through it and very much welcome it.
I typically don't like threads like this and stay off of them, but the comments here are fitting and in good taste. Thanks for keeping it clean, gentlemen. swami, give us a call, we need all the help we can get!
Post by buckthetrend on Nov 28, 2022 10:41:18 GMT -6
So...attended my first live game Friday...half of it anyway. Cushing looks good in person.
Thoughts:
Have to honor Crooks, but #11 is the sleeper playmaker on the offense, and probably why Cushing is rolling this year. IMO, you have to get pressure and take away #11 and #21. Force the ball to #2, #6, or #23 (all of which are athletes). However, pick your poison... #21 and #11 are the go to guys. Take them away, and get good pressure...you might force a mistake early. I think Cushing adjusts, but early? Pressure is one thing, putting the QB on his back is another. I think you have to put him down. He's used to pressure, although I wasn't impressed with Elk City's.
Defensively, Cushing will eat a one dimensional team alive. The defense plays like they are gambling with someone else's money. That someone else is the offense, who can cover the debt. They aren't out there not to get beat, they are playing loose and fast, without a care in the world. Offense is doing the same thing.
Down to the last game, but I don't see anyone coming from behind to beat this team...certainly not a team that is heavy run, and suspect on pass. If Wagoner wants a shot, I think they need to win the toss, score on their first drive, hold Cushing, and score on the second. If they can stretch those possessions into the 2nd quarter, I think it increases their chances. Game still has to be played, by humans. Cushing will have the same pre-game jitters as Wagoner. You let Cushing score the 1st TD, and they will start cutting loose.
Solid breakdown buckthetrend. Glad you were able to make it out to a game. Fun to watch on the stream, but different in person for sure.
And I agree about #11. I had mentioned earlier in the season that he was one of the non-seniors that stepped up this year. From what I’ve noticed, he actually overtook a senior’s spot, and it has helped them tremendously. They have a couple other non-seniors on defense that have stepped up that didn’t start/play last year.
It truly is a pick your poison. Obviously teams want to shut down Crooks. And now if they shut down 11, the other 2 receivers and running back have these numbers:
Also, to echo what you’ve said about the defense. It truly is what has made this team different. Jeff Craig (Blanchard HC) said it on his coaches show before they played Cushing and said it on the Skordle preview last week. He said the defense is what is making them go. Forcing turnovers, 3 and outs, putting teams behind the chains, etc. Cushing’s offense can easily put together an 80+ yard drive. But when you make them go only 50 yards, it just makes it that much tougher.
Solid breakdown buckthetrend . Glad you were able to make it out to a game. Fun to watch on the stream, but different in person for sure.
It was fun. Nice to see the whole field, for sure. We will see about Saturday. Time and day are right. Haven't checked the weather. Streaming games has made me a real fair weather fan.
My gut tells me Cushing has too many horses for Wagoner. My head tells me that nothing is certain. I will say, seeing it live, the Cushing D is impressive. Lots of speed and aggression. If I'm Wagoner, I'm running my 20 personnel, and feeding Cushing a steady diet of power/counter with some QB power/counter sprinkled in. Don't get cute, fancy, or impatient. If they can keep Cushing off of the board, and get into the rhythm of the game, this could be a good game. I'm where I have been all season though. You let Cushing get up 2 scores...it can easily turn into a 4 score game, quickly.
Post by oklahomascoop on Nov 30, 2022 7:51:30 GMT -6
Cushing just has too much talent here, the Wagoner experience in these games will help but Cushing is playing at another level right now. I have Cush by 2 TDs.