One team doesn't mind plowing ahead in 4- or 5-yard increments, as long as it hogs the ball and keeps the clocking running. The other team seems intent on scoring every time it lines up and snaps the ball.
It should make for an interesting contrast when No. 3 Bridgeport (12-0) and No. 2 South Charleston (11-1) collide at Laidley Field today in the Class AAA playoff semifinals. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
The survivor advances to the state championship game Dec. 5 at Wheeling Island Stadium, where it plays tonight's winner between No. 13 University (9-3) and No. 1 Brooke (12-0).
Bridgeport's ball-control offense was never more evident than in last week's 31-0 whitewash of No. 6 George Washington in the quarterfinals. The Indians ran the ball 58 times and tried just three passes, completing one for a 25-yard touchdown. Bridgeport held an advantage of 331/2 minutes to 141/2 minutes in time of possession.
John Messinger, coach of the defending state champion Black Eagles, would obviously like to prevent Bridgeport from taking the air out of the ball, but thinks his team can survive the contrast in styles. The balanced Black Eagles (2,730 yards rushing, 1,996 passing) average 39.7 points and 394 yards.
"Bridgeport is ball-control,'' Messinger said. "They take time off the clock, get first downs and methodically run the field on you and keep it out of your hands. There's been a couple times where we've run 10-15 plays and scored six, seven times.
"If that's the way it's going to work - if we're able to score quick points on them - that's the way it'll have to be. If they're going to score on us with a physical, methodical attack, that's what they're going to have to do. We're hoping we can take them out of that by getting some three-and-outs. We're hoping we can run the football and beat them at what they do best.''
Messinger thinks two players will key his team's chances today - running back-linebacker Raymond Coleman and all-state lineman Blake Brooks.
"It's Ray-Ray Coleman on both sides of the football,'' Messinger said. "If we can run the football with him - and we've seen a few people run the ball between the tackles on them - it'll definitely be a plus for us. Then if Ray-Ray plays well on defense for us in the middle, that will help. We've just got to play hard-nosed, disciplined football between the tackles this week.
"It will boil down to who wins the battle at the line of scrimmage - who is more physical. Blake Brooks has to have the biggest game of his career. If we do those things, we can stay with them, but you can't make any prediction about what score.''
Bridgeport coach Bruce Carey, whose team seeks its first finals berth since 2001, feels as if his defense has a bigger assignment than his offense.
"Our offense is what we always count on,'' he said. "It's a big task for our defense - if we can shut down their offense. They don't need a lot of plays to score, and we surely don't want to give them a lot of plays.''
Case in point: SC's first playoff game this year against another North Central team, Lewis County. The Black Eagles only ran 13 plays in the first half to 32 for Lewis, but led 35-7 - scoring on pass plays of 97 and 30 yards and an 85-yard interception return.
Carey thinks junior quarterback Tyler Harris is the linchpin for SC.
"To me, he looks like the guy who runs the team,'' Carey said. "He doesn't make many bad decisions. He'll run or flip that ball to somebody. He's like the point guard on that football team. He just doesn't know what he's going to do with the ball. He just reacts. He's one of those athletes who reacts to game situations.''
Messinger looks forward to the physical challenge Bridgeport presents, and hopes his team can negate the impact of Indians fullback-linebacker Alex Sutton.
"Right now, I don't think it's anybody's ballgame,'' he said. "There's no clear favorite. They do what they do well, and we do what we do well. It boils down to who wants it the most. I think we pride ourselves on working hard in the weight room in the offseason, and I think that has to show through for us. Obviously, Bridgeport's doing the same things, and I think we match up well up front. We might be faster at our skill positions.
"I am especially impressed with the Sutton kid, who's extremely physical. I know he has big numbers rushing the ball, but I'm more impressed with him on the defensive side of the ball. He's an in-your-face, physical kid, and every time you look up, this kid's making the tackle.''
The Indians have won six state titles - three each in AAA (1955, 1972, 1979) and AA (1986, 1988, 2000). SC took home crowns in 1945, 1994 and 2008.
