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The Notre Dame School offense confronted an fascinating choice within the first half of its 33-25 first-playoff win over Slippery Rock on Nov. 20.
It was fourth-and-11 from The Rock 38, and NDC trailed, 7-3, within the first quarter. Coach Mickey Psychological didn’t hesitate. Quarterback Chris Brimm dropped again, threw a decent spiral that Davis Patteson caught in stride off man-to-man protection and sprinted into the tip zone down the left sideline.
It was that confidence in his QB and offense that helped the Falcons to the eight-point victory. That confidence could be necessary when NDC travels to play Shepherd on Nov. 27 for a midday NCAA Division II second-round playoff recreation.
The Falcons convey an offense that’s ranked nationally within the high 20 in yards (446, twentieth) and factors (41.2, seventh), nevertheless it takes a backseat to Shepherd, which is No. 1 nationally in each classes.
The Rams — with a nation-best 6,448 yards — are averaging 48.4 points and 537 yards, and have weapons in any respect the expert positions.
“It actually begins with their quarterback,” stated Psychological.
There’s no doubting that assertion. Shepherd QB Tyson Bagent is finishing 70.7 p.c of his passes (309 of 441) with 4,202 yards and 48 TDs in opposition to 10 interceptions.
5 gamers have between 450 and 950 receiving yards. Ryan Seaside (968) leads the best way however there are Josh Gontarek (862), Ronnie Brown (522), Greg Leonard (489) and Jonathan Moss (456).
“They’ve a variety of good receivers who can win in area,” stated Psychological.
There’s additionally a bevy of runners for the Rams in Brown (777 speeding yards), Ty Hebron (596) and Chantz Swartz (508).
Shepherd — presently a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Convention — and NDC have a historical past that goes again just a few years when the Rams had been members of the Mountain East Convention. The 2018 season marks the final time the groups performed. The Falcons beat Shepherd of their season opener, 35-33, a win that started a run to this system’s first undefeated common season.
The QBs in that 2018 recreation had been Bagent and Brimm — each freshmen on the time.
“That was an enormous win for us,” stated Psychological, who was NDC’s offensive coordinator in 2018. “The nation noticed what we had been all about. The win set us up for fulfillment. Now it’s type of coming full circle for each groups.”
If it’s a shootout, the Falcons will arrive in Sheperdstown with loads of weapons. Brimm has 2,866 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, and high receiver Devanaire Conliffe of Willoughby South has 989 yards and 12 touchdowns. There are additionally two standout runners in Tyris Dickerson (996 yards) and Idris Lawrence (861), however each had been limping with accidents on the finish of NDC’s win over Slippery Rock.
Their standing is important for the Falcons’ offense. Psychological expects each to be in uniform Nov. 27.
“I feel they’ll go, and provides it a shot,” he stated.
As for his group’s mindset on offense, and the chance for needing factors in opposition to Shepherd, Psychological acknowledged that however stated taking possibilities — much like the first-half fourth-down name in opposition to Slippery Rock — might be based mostly on analytics.
“You’ve obtained to be strategic in it,” stated the NDC coach.
Equally necessary is the play of every group’s protection. Whichever one could make performs may very well be the distinction. In 12 video games, NDC’s protection has produced. It’s pressured 32 fumbles (15 recovered), produced 44 sacks, intercepted 20 passes, and permitting 16.6 factors.
“I really like our protection proper now,” stated Psychological.
Notre Dame School at Shepherd
What: NCAA second-round D-II playoff recreation
When: Midday, Nov. 27
The place: Ram Stadium, Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Data: NDC 11-1, Shepherd 11-1
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