Eastern Eagles get playoff rematch with Waterford Wildcats
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REEDSVILLE -- Waterford and Eastern last met on the gridiron on Sept. 16, a 29-13 home win for the Wildcats.
A lot has changed for both teams since that day, and they're expecting a hard fought battle at 7 p.m. Friday when they face off again in the Division VII, Region 27 quarterfinals. Wildcats head coach Eric McCutcheon hopes one thing that doesn't change is the final result.
"We looked at the first game to see what worked and what didn't work, but a lot's changed since week five," said McCutcheon, whose Wildcats are 8-3. "Both teams have changed some personnel around. Eastern loves to run the ball. They're really good at it and they've gotten much better at it since week five."
Eastern's ground attack is led by Rylee Barrett, who has 194 carries for 1,287 yards and 15 touchdowns. Gavan Smith has added 140 carries, 731 yards and 12 TDs.
"They do a lot of things between the tackles," McCutcheon said. "They love to run between their tackles. We've got to know our keys, read what they do and be prepared for that."
Waterford's run defense was key in the first matchup, limiting Eastern to 49 yards on 33 rushes.
"Our first few series we moved the ball really well on them," recalled Eastern head coach Jason Jackson. "Their kids adjusted and stopped and our running game. We've definitely developed our offensive line since then, and the kids have gotten better and understand the scheme a little better. Waterford's defense is the best we've faced. Our kids have worked extremely hard. We definitely want to establish that run game."
Jake Pantelidis was a major contributor in the first matchup, playing a role in all four touchdowns, including three TD passes. On the season, Pantelidis is 79 for 156 for 1,167 yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions. He's also rushed 86 times for 536 yards and four scores. Jackson has a lot of respect for Waterford's senior signal-caller.
"I've given him praise all year long," Jackson said. "He's one of the best, most explosive dual threat quarterbacks I've ever seen. I've coached 27 years and seen some great ones. He's one of those types of kids."
Eastern has tinkered with its secondary since the Waterford game and added quarterback Brady Yonker to the mix. Yonker has picked off passes since joining the defense.
"We like to be balanced," McCutcheon said. "That is the key for our offense. We've got weapons all over the field. The line is protecting and run blocking well. The last game we had close to 200 yards rushing and passing. That's a well balanced machine that keeps defenses on their toes."
Dylan Taylor is Waterford's top runner with 1,084 yards and 14 touchdowns on 96 attempts. Mason Heiss is the top receiver with 39 catches for 620 yards and six TDs. Lane Cline is another threat to get the ball on the ground and in the air.
Defensively, Colten McDougle has seven sacks while Max Roberts has 5 1/2. Heiss and Pantelidis both have three interceptions.
"Our defense has gotten better," McCutcheon said. "It takes time. Each week they've improved. They play fast, read and react. I'm super proud of our defense."
For Eastern's defense, Brandon Oldaker leads the way with 85 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, five sacks and eight forced fumbles. Landon Randolph also has five sacks, while Gavin Murphy has a team-high five interceptions.
"It's going to be a great game," Jackson said. "Waterford is super well coached. You see their kids doing some things that only great coached teams do.
"To me the key of the game is limiting our mistakes. Waterford is very good at capitalizing on opposing teams' mistakes. We have to limit our mistakes and try to limit the big-play capability they have."
For Waterford, "We've just got to protect the ball, keep the chains moving and keep their offense on the sidelines," McCutcheon said. "If we take care of the ball and play solid run defense, I feel like that's what our team needs to do to have success."
The Wildcats have won seven straight games since a 1-3 start to the season. The tough schedule to start the year is paying dividends for the team now, McCutcheon said.
"We knew at the beginning of the season it was going to be a gauntlet of a schedule," he said. "All three of our losses are still in the playoffs. That helped our team. They stuck together through that, kept grinding it out at practice. We knew if we stuck to it, it would come back and help us."
The Eagles are hoping for their sixth straight win after back-to-back losses to Waterford and Williamsburg. They're excited for another opportunity to play on their home field.
"Two playoff games at home shows the kids worked hard and believed in what we were teaching them," Jackson said. "It's a great venue at Eastern to see all the chairs lined up and the bleachers full. We've very happy and very blessed to have this second round playoff game at home.
"When we started out the year, our motto was 'Win the play.' I want to give the kids all the credit for believing in that philosophy."
Jordan Holland can be reached at jholland@mariettatimes.com.