Pressure (10x+) and sack Hambleton (4x+) and slow down Ramsey (under 150 total yards)
Unless the Panther's offensive line has drastically improved and/or they found another offensive playmaker X should be able to do both again.
Week 6: 10+ hurries, 4 sacks and Ramsey had 87 total yards (5 rushing, 12 receiving and 71 on kick returns)
Harp is the guy that worries me more than Ramsey given his size and the X db's seeming unable to cover bigger receivers- which is a bit crazy given that the backfield has some taller guys than you usually see in HS. Luckily, Hambleton really doesn't have the wheels to escape well, and the Elder line is abysmal. I think X can get home rushing 4-5 consistently, have a spy on Ramsey, and drop at least one safety to help on the deep ball. I would have to re-watch the first match up, but I don't think Elder has the players to stop X on offense, especially with BMc starting to get the other WR's and TE's involved in the passing game. This game will be closer I think, and Elder will probably hit on 2-3 deep balls. I can see 38-21 X winning.
Down the road, LW will be the toughest defense until (hopefully) X gets to the state semis. I am not scared of their offense still. Their numbers are gaudy against the GMC patsies, and didn't reach 250 yards against Colerain. Their scoring drives against X covered a total of less than 50 yards. They may hit a couple of deep balls, but they cannot run consistently enough to be a threat on the ground. If X's playcalling is disciplined enough to stay with the run, it will wear them out again.
Moeller is a different animal right now with their QB1 playing. He is able to throw short- intermediate timing routes well, and they have the two burners, and Kattus can give the defense some trouble. The downside of their offense is that they do not have a power game like Ignatius, or a big receiver to run deep. X adjusted to their deep routes, and does not have to load the box to stop the run. Their defense is not good, so they will have to keep control of the ball.
If both make it that far, I've thought all year that Springfield will be X's biggest test. They play well against the run with Brown and January up front on defense, and Bradley is great on the back end. X will have to get the full offense involved in the passing game. Smoot is a problem, though I think if X can keep him in the pocket, they will have success. I would like to see more inside stunts from the X defense in general- they get burned by mobile QB's because the ends and OLB's are so quick outside and get too far upfield. Last year, Gio and Devine were great cover for this. No offense to Hammond (who is very good, and will be a star), and Reilly, who is solid, but they are not those guys. Springfield has basically the same team from last year, and X only gave up 10 against them- I'll take my chances with the deep balls.
This team seems to have a habit of underestimating opponents with average or bad records, coming out especially flat on defense. After Elder, who I am fairly sure they will have zero problem getting up for, I don't see them running into anyone they could possibly take lightly. Hopefully they can get 74 healthy and keep the rest healthy for stretch run.
