It's playoff time folks! After moving to Class B, the Ronan Chiefs have taken a senior laden team and downed numerous top teams in the state during the regular season while racking up a 6-2 record. They'll be traveling to Big Timber for their first round playoff game and we're going to take a look at the matchup...
THE TEAMS
Ronan - A hard-running, multiple weapon team that has no problem moving the ball up and down the field. The Wramblin' Wreck from Ronan is one of the best rushing offenses in the state, with a stable of running backs and a veteran quarterback - you're more likely to catapult a pig to Mars than stop the Chiefs from running the football.
Big Timber - The sheepherders come into the game with a 4-4 record. Oddly, they sport a 3-1 record on the road and are just 1-3 when they're at home. Ronan and Big Timber both defeated Townsend this season, with the Sheepherders beating them 9-7 and the Chiefs thumping them 51-19. Both teams also lost to Manhattan, with Big Timber losing 42-7 to them last week and the Chiefs falling to them on the road 25-0 in September.
LOOKING AT THE CHIEFS
Ronan rushed for over 2,600 yards behind the new age version of the Five Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Jake Skelton - Hard runner and also a home run hitter. Skelton carried the ball 117 times for 711 yards this season for a 6.08 yard per carry average. He also had five scoring touchdowns and usually turned a small hole in the line into a large gain for Ronan. Ask opposing defenses what its like trying to bring down Skelton and they'll quite literally show you their broken ribs.
Skelton was also a hard-nosed defender that delivered plenty of big hits.
Marcus "The Jet" Hungerford - The beauty of Ronan's power sweep plays are the simple fact that nobody can stop them. Hungerford turned on the speed and racked up 559 yards and seven touchdowns. He usually picked up big chunks of yardage with nine yards per carry. There was at least one "Hey other team, say hello to Marcus Hungerford" moment in each game, as he streaking past opposing defenses and cornerbacks were just forced to make a desperation dive tackle at him.
Hungerford was part of Ronan's deadly secondary that would pounce on the ball and force turnovers. Things were in good hands when Hungerford was covering opposing wide receivers.
Chris Clary - Clary was the bruiser up the middle and he had his very own version of "Beast Mode." Clary rumbled for 436 yards and six touchdowns, thriving on contact and knocking more than a few defenders over when he ran the ball.
Opposing quarterbacks were also very familiar with Clary, who from the linebacker position caused problems in the backfield.
Jack "The Ripper" Humphreys - A nice change-up of pace for the Chiefs, the speedy Humphreys could slice through defenses and always was dangerous when he carried the ball. Gaining 10 yards per carry, Humphreys had 398 yards and a six touchdowns this season. Also the leadoff hitter for the Mission Valley Mariners baseball team, there's a reason he stole so many bases during the summer.
Humphreys, also a defensive back, had numerous picks (leading the team with three) this season and is also coming off a three-touchdown performance against Mission last week.
Robbie "Big Play Bob" Gauthier - The quarterback of the team, Gauthier was the emotional spark and used his leadership to help drive the team. On the ground he gained 372 yards while scoring three touchdowns. He also threw for five touchdowns. Chances are if Ronan has a big play, he'll be involved in it.
Gauthier has also been known to pull off a "Pick Six" from his safety position.
PLAYERS ALSO TO WATCH...
Carston Baertsch - Excellent linebacker, fun to watch.
Robert Faoa - Tough-nosed punt returner and linebacker.
Dalton Molzhon - The Chiefs deadliest threat downfield, Molzhon is also Ronan's kicker and is very, very consistent.
The Chiefs play Big Timber on Saturday at 1 p.m.
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