Sycamore v Nazareth Academy

tincup1215

Sophomore
Sep 20, 2004
127
161
0
Isn't Kaneland known as a passing team?


Kaneland had success moving the ball through the air in the 1st half, scoring early on a 50yd pass. Kaneland moved the ball fairly well on drives, but Sycamore clamped down hard in their territory. In the 2nd half, it seemed like Sycamore was bringing more pressure and getting to the QB much quicker than they did in the 1st half. Not the most analytical summary of the game, but I'd guess teams would have better luck passing on Sycamore compared to running against them.

Naz's O-Line is far superior than Kaneland's, I imagine they'll be able to give their QB more time and sustain it throughout the game. Any time a QB can sit there in a pocket for longer than 4-5 seconds with minimal pressure, even the best defensive coverage will break down. Law of averages.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gene K.

jwarigaku

All-Conference
Jan 30, 2006
4,211
1,573
73
I only watched the first half of Carmel but from what I remember they had 3 guys with hands in the dirt doesn’t mean they don’t have a standup end. I also saw a lot of single high looks but again that is off of memory from a game where the wind itself stymied any sort of throwing game in my opinion.
If they indeed play 1high it will make for an interesting day for Sycamore and will likely open up the running game with out breaking routes.
 

tuccs

Senior
Sep 30, 2011
821
826
93
I was only able to see one defensive snap vs kaneland on maxpreps again 3 guys with their hand in the dirt. It was a one high look but it was also against trips so can't really tell. Also, I wasn't impressed with Kaneland's defense, corner was caught flatfooted on the long pass play and the amount of missed tackles I just saw in a 1 minute clip made my blood pressure sky rocket. I just went to the second half of carmel and can confirm it is a 3-4 with two high. Carmel had a score called back a simple drag route right under the backers went for big yards like 75ish.

It would seem like the passing game is the Achilles Heel and I am not sure they have seen a comparable passing game all year. If Naz can keep the pocket clear and the receivers make the plays they are supposed to, it could be an interesting day for Sycamore. This game, at least on paper and through my homer eyes, is looking a lot closer than the computers are having you think.
 

jwarigaku

All-Conference
Jan 30, 2006
4,211
1,573
73
I was only able to see one defensive snap vs kaneland on maxpreps again 3 guys with their hand in the dirt. It was a one high look but it was also against trips so can't really tell. Also, I wasn't impressed with Kaneland's defense, corner was caught flatfooted on the long pass play and the amount of missed tackles I just saw in a 1 minute clip made my blood pressure sky rocket. I just went to the second half of carmel and can confirm it is a 3-4 with two high. Carmel had a score called back a simple drag route right under the backers went for big yards like 75ish.

It would seem like the passing game is the Achilles Heel and I am not sure they have seen a comparable passing game all year. If Naz can keep the pocket clear and the receivers make the plays they are supposed to, it could be an interesting day for Sycamore. This game, at least on paper and through my homer eyes, is looking a lot closer than the computers are having you think.
2cloud or Tampa2? If the later their middle LB best be a stud. Is it really cover 2 or are they rotating the defense into multiple. Inquiring minds need to know!
 

tuccs

Senior
Sep 30, 2011
821
826
93
Seemed to mix it up pretty well it’s hard to tell on YouTube auto cam but looked like the Mike wasn’t dropping anywhere on the one long pass play Carmel had but it also looked almost like a cover 1. I need better film or someone in the know!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: jwarigaku

jwarigaku

All-Conference
Jan 30, 2006
4,211
1,573
73
Seemed to mix it up pretty well it’s hard to tell on YouTube auto cam but looked like the Mike wasn’t dropping anywhere on the one long pass play Carmel had but it also looked almost like a cover 1. I need better film or someone in the know!!!
Tuccs,
Do I know you from Naz?
 

tuccs

Senior
Sep 30, 2011
821
826
93
Tuccs,
Do I know you from Naz?

Unfortunately, I do not believe an introduction was ever made; however I am from Naz and graduated well before we had turf and lights and before I had my two beautiful girls I could be seen in the South end zone on Saturday afternoons living vicariously through kids like your son and his two championship seasons. (Thank him again for me) I was one of the idiots that thankfully voted to join the ESCC while it didn’t work out for us that year (what a senior season to remember thank god for St Joes) I’m glad we made the move.
 
Oct 25, 2016
529
327
51
I'd love a good breakdown and discussion. Admittedly, the Carmel game is all I was able to watch but it left me with a ton of questions two that I think will really be part of Saturday's storyline.

How many teams on Sycamore's schedule posed a legit passing threat that could stretch them?
-Carmel was up against not only a very stout defense but an incredible wind that really made them one dimensional and when they had to throw the ball it wasn't pretty.

How does Sycamore handle being down or in a close game of field position?
-again I only have seen the carmel game so they are genuine questions, because it seemed like Sycamore didn't have to go more that 60 yards the entire game.

If Naz can find a way to stretch them out and play the field position game, I feel that is the recipe for beating
Kaneland had success moving the ball through the air in the 1st half, scoring early on a 50yd pass. Kaneland moved the ball fairly well on drives, but Sycamore clamped down hard in their territory. In the 2nd half, it seemed like Sycamore was bringing more pressure and getting to the QB much quicker than they did in the 1st half. Not the most analytical summary of the game, but I'd guess teams would have better luck passing on Sycamore compared to running against them.

Naz's O-Line is far superior than Kaneland's, I imagine they'll be able to give their QB more time and sustain it throughout the game. Any time a QB can sit there in a pocket for longer than 4-5 seconds with minimal pressure, even the best defensive coverage will break down. Law of averages.
I believe Sterling completed 5 of their first 6 passes but went back to trying to run up the middle which went no where, they through 2 pics in the end zone as well. A passing team with a good O line will have the best chance at beating them.
 

jwarigaku

All-Conference
Jan 30, 2006
4,211
1,573
73
Unfortunately, I do not believe an introduction was ever made; however I am from Naz and graduated well before we had turf and lights and before I had my two beautiful girls I could be seen in the South end zone on Saturday afternoons living vicariously through kids like your son and his two championship seasons. (Thank him again for me) I was one of the idiots that thankfully voted to join the ESCC while it didn’t work out for us that year (what a senior season to remember thank god for St Joes) I’m glad we made the move.
Tuccs,

I was blessed with 4 sons, 3 of them played on that field and have fond memories of the School and the coaches. It’s hard to believe my youngest will be 21 in February. Seems like they were all bobble heads just yesterday. I’ve been blessed to spend saturdays with the Love family this fall and will be watching This weekends Naz game on my iPad while sitting in the college stands. Do we have a streaming feed for this game or is it through some horrid national site the IHSA gets paid by?
 

tuccs

Senior
Sep 30, 2011
821
826
93
I wonder why they’d go back to running up the middle? 2 picks in the end zone certainly changes the game but wouldn’t make me second guess my game plan.
 
Oct 25, 2016
529
327
51
I wonder why they’d go back to running up the middle? 2 picks in the end zone certainly changes the game but wouldn’t make me second guess my game plan.
One of the pics was near the end of the game just trying to score as a small moral victory in itself.
 

tuccs

Senior
Sep 30, 2011
821
826
93
Tuccs,

I was blessed with 4 sons, 3 of them played on that field and have fond memories of the School and the coaches. It’s hard to believe my youngest will be 21 in February. Seems like they were all bobble heads just yesterday. I’ve been blessed to spend saturdays with the Love family this fall and will be watching This weekends Naz game on my iPad while sitting in the college stands. Do we have a streaming feed for this game or is it through some horrid national site the IHSA gets paid by?

One of the pics was near the end of the game just trying to score as a small moral victory in itself.

I was hoping for a YouTube broadcast but I haven’t heard of one so the pay site is probably the case which means I’ll have to rely on you and the rest of the board for updates.
 

jwarigaku

All-Conference
Jan 30, 2006
4,211
1,573
73
I was hoping for a YouTube broadcast but I haven’t heard of one so the pay site is probably the case which means I’ll have to rely on you and the rest of the board for updates.
Tucc,
I will not be a good source for live game day info as we live in Pa.
 

tuccs

Senior
Sep 30, 2011
821
826
93
I’m sure we text in some of the same circles or at least have a few contacts in common and they have been more than generous with updates.

I will say In regards to your question of sterling, the front 7 gets after it. I am one to give credit where it is due as much as it pains me. I do think that is both a strength and a weakness though I am hoping we can exploit. If we can get some protection I feel play action will do very well against their aggressiveness. That also means getting a few good runs to keep them honest and respecting it. The more I play the game in my head the more I can’t put myself in a place where we lose by 2 scores let alone the 3 score spread we have seen in places.
 

jwarigaku

All-Conference
Jan 30, 2006
4,211
1,573
73
I’m sure we text in some of the same circles or at least have a few contacts in common and they have been more than generous with updates.

I will say In regards to your question of sterling, the front 7 gets after it. I am one to give credit where it is due as much as it pains me. I do think that is both a strength and a weakness though I am hoping we can exploit. If we can get some protection I feel play action will do very well against their aggressiveness. That also means getting a few good runs to keep them honest and respecting it. The more I play the game in my head the more I can’t put myself in a place where we lose by 2 scores let alone the 3 score spread we have seen in places.
If I were a betting man I would take the money line in a heart beat because the upside is so big. That said I believe Naz wins by at least 3. I’ve been wrong about Naz twice in the last 8 years, once was the infamous mud bog in Woodstock and the other was in 2019 against The Caravan in a Monsoon. We will see how this young but developing team takes its next step on the frozen tundra. There was another time come to think of it, I had this team dead and buried after scoring 19 total points in their first 2 games this season and did not see a path to the playoffs…I’ve been impressed since eating that shoe.
 

tuccs

Senior
Sep 30, 2011
821
826
93
I will admit I was very bearish on them after the ND game but optimistic they would find 5 wins and make a run. The Woodstock game is one of the main catalysts for my post about sycamore leaving sprinklers on but I’ve pretty much been promised that there isn’t a better playing surface in all of Illinois football turf fields included.
 

tincup1215

Sophomore
Sep 20, 2004
127
161
0
Sycamore hires snipers during the off-season who's sole purpose is to keep the field cleared. I don't know what kind of shape it'll be in Saturday with all the weather we've had, but I imagine it'll be in the best condition they can make it.
 

tuccs

Senior
Sep 30, 2011
821
826
93
Sycamore hires snipers during the off-season who's sole purpose is to keep the field cleared. I don't know what kind of shape it'll be in Saturday with all the weather we've had, but I imagine it'll be in the best condition they can make it.


I also heard that the birds, when flying over Sycamore airspace, fly upside down so as not to **** on the field.
 

jwarigaku

All-Conference
Jan 30, 2006
4,211
1,573
73
I was only able to see one defensive snap vs kaneland on maxpreps again 3 guys with their hand in the dirt. It was a one high look but it was also against trips so can't really tell. Also, I wasn't impressed with Kaneland's defense, corner was caught flatfooted on the long pass play and the amount of missed tackles I just saw in a 1 minute clip made my blood pressure sky rocket. I just went to the second half of carmel and can confirm it is a 3-4 with two high. Carmel had a score called back a simple drag route right under the backers went for big yards like 75ish.

It would seem like the passing game is the Achilles Heel and I am not sure they have seen a comparable passing game all year. If Naz can keep the pocket clear and the receivers make the plays they are supposed to, it could be an interesting day for Sycamore. This game, at least on paper and through my homer eyes, is looking a lot closer than the computers are having you think.
So I’m hearing that their coverage is mostly cover 4. Sounds like we are going to find out how good those LB’s really are and what their speed really looks like.
 

tuccs

Senior
Sep 30, 2011
821
826
93
Ahh...thinking back that makes more sense as to what happened on the long carmel pass play. They are speedy as far as coming downhill and rallying to the ball, but the backers had a hard time staying with their guys on a few snaps. Also, their secondary seems to rely on the old throw a shoulder at the legs type of tackling once someone does break one so I think they will need to be a bit more sound back there.
 
Oct 25, 2016
529
327
51
The overall thing with Sycamore is the strength of their lines on both sides of the ball, they have good athletes but there isn't any standout players that I saw, just overall team strength, they will grind it out on offense 3-4 yards at a time and then eventually get that 50 yard play, their blockers block very well and are strong, it’s a slow churning offense that’s hard to stop, they will mainly run right at you because they can move the sticks that way but if they have to throw they can do that as well. On Defense once again it’s strength of the D line, they are over powering, nothing opens up and they get in the back field quick. If Naz can match their line strength I see this being a good game, The only weakness I saw was they did give up pass plays to Sterling but they eventually stalled out when going back to trying the run. Or throw for that matter. If Naz can match overall line strength it will be a good game.
 

Wassup13_rivals219252

All-Conference
Nov 9, 2002
6,019
2,820
113
Good analysis Sterling.

Gene and I talked about Sycamore in previous years and thought their style of play was like the old black and blue smash mouth CCL Blue division back in the day.

Definitely they have team physical strength.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sterling Warrior

jwarigaku

All-Conference
Jan 30, 2006
4,211
1,573
73
No more Niemann's right?

He changed the last game when we met.
Epic,
Last time we play them in 2015 we blew them out 38-6. In 2013 it was a 5 pt loss 33-28 and the boys wouldn’t leave the field and pledged a state title the following year and were in the weight room the following Monday which was the genesis of this pretty decent run and Naz’s first title.
 

tuccs

Senior
Sep 30, 2011
821
826
93
If epic goes I might have to risk the lonely drive back to naperthrill on 88 after a loss
 

BretEpic

Heisman
Jan 27, 2005
16,866
22,190
113
Epic,
Last time we play them in 2015 we blew them out 38-6. In 2013 it was a 5 pt loss 33-28 and the boys wouldn’t leave the field and pledged a state title the following year and were in the weight room the following Monday which was the genesis of this pretty decent run and Naz’s first title.
Ok sure, I meant 2 games ago then. It's been awhile and my trips to LGP for playoff games have grown numerous and blend together.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tuccs and jwarigaku

tuccs

Senior
Sep 30, 2011
821
826
93
Meh, doesn't look too promising....back to the gnawing of fingertips waiting for edgy updates.
 

tincup1215

Sophomore
Sep 20, 2004
127
161
0
From the NFHS broadcast, field looks like it's in really good shape. Looks cold as heck though. 24 degrees with 20mph winds.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tuccs

tuccs

Senior
Sep 30, 2011
821
826
93
Pancake block called as a hold on a TD pass already some homecooking going on
 
Edgy Tim

Latest

  1. 01 Edgy Tim Breakdown: Lincoln Way East Griffins
  2. 02 Edgy Tim Breakdown: Brother Rice Crusasders
  3. 03 Edgy Tim New Video: EDGY's Week 2 Poll Position
  4. 04 Edgy Tim WJOL Pigskin Preview Thursdays 6-8PM
  5. 05 SpartanMag Michigan State QB Alessio Milivojevic calls captaincy 'possibly the highest honor you can have'