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Linton Miners @ Monrovia Bulldogs


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Yes it's early in the year, but someone is going to have their season turn around on this game.  Either the Bulldogs win and jumpstart their season or the Miners continue their win streak.  Should be another really good game between these 2 good programs.  I expect the Miners to win a close one if they can take care of the ball.  

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Forgot to mention that Linton is favored by Harrell to win,  21 - 17.  According to the Sags this week, Linton is ranked #3 in 2A.  They can't get votes in the polls but the computer seems to love them.  Their SOS is #39.  A far cry from just a few years ago when it would be in the 200's.  Playing the #2 and #8 ranked teams in 3A helps over those 1A schools they used to play.  I REALLY want to go to this game but think I'm scheduled for a radiation treatment this Friday.

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50 minutes ago, itiswhatitis said:

Yes it's early in the year, but someone is going to have their season turn around on this game.  Either the Bulldogs win and jumpstart their season or the Miners continue their win streak.  Should be another really good game between these 2 good programs.  I expect the Miners to win a close one if they can take care of the ball.  

Monrovia sorely needs to find some offense with gaining only 117 total yards last Friday evening against Edgewood.  The D seems to have been adequate in their games with Ritter and Edgewood but the offense hasn't been there yet.  Linton's rushing defense has been solid against Southridge and Sullivan so it appears the Bulldogs need to throw the ball with some success against the Miners although I don't thing passing is Monrovia's strength. It appears that Linton would have the edge but we shall see.  The Monrovia JV offense was also lacking in a 30 - 0 loss to the Miner JV last Saturday.  The young Miners were impressive.  They've yet to give up a score in two games although Owen Valley was credited with a controversial safety in game 1 in a 14 -2 Miner win.

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8 minutes ago, itiswhatitis said:

Forgot to mention that Linton is favored by Harrell to win,  21 - 17.  According to the Sags this week, Linton is ranked #3 in 2A.  They can't get votes in the polls but the computer seems to love them.  Their SOS is #39.  A far cry from just a few years ago when it would be in the 200's.  Playing the #2 and #8 ranked teams in 3A helps over those 1A schools they used to play.  I REALLY want to go to this game but think I'm scheduled for a radiation treatment this Friday.

I noticed the strange anomaly that Linton had something like a 45 point differential over Monrovia in the Sag ratings but John Harrell had The Miners a 4 point favorite.  Actually, we all know that Harrell is much closer to being correct. 😊  Anyway, I hope you can make it to the game, Tom.  One game at a time.  One year at a time.  

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3 hours ago, kingtut said:

Monrovia sorely needs to find some offense with gaining only 117 total yards last Friday evening against Edgewood.  The D seems to have been adequate in their games with Ritter and Edgewood but the offense hasn't been there yet.  Linton's rushing defense has been solid against Southridge and Sullivan so it appears the Bulldogs need to throw the ball with some success against the Miners although I don't thing passing is Monrovia's strength. It appears that Linton would have the edge but we shall see.  The Monrovia JV offense was also lacking in a 30 - 0 loss to the Miner JV last Saturday.  The young Miners were impressive.  They've yet to give up a score in two games although Owen Valley was credited with a controversial safety in game 1 in a 14 -2 Miner win.

That safety was far from controversial, I promise that lol

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4 hours ago, kingtut said:

I noticed the strange anomaly that Linton had something like a 45 point differential over Monrovia in the Sag ratings but John Harrell had The Miners a 4 point favorite.  Actually, we all know that Harrell is much closer to being correct. 😊  Anyway, I hope you can make it to the game, Tom.  One game at a time.  One year at a time.  

Sagarin isn’t reliable until about week 6. Case in point Center Grove. Ranked 3rd overall despite being 0-2. Why? Because losses were to #1 and #2. Way too much emphasis on SOS. 

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15 hours ago, Staxawax said:

Sagarin isn’t reliable until about week 6. Case in point Center Grove. Ranked 3rd overall despite being 0-2. Why? Because losses were to #1 and #2. Way too much emphasis on SOS. 

Well lets see. Linton wasn't even on the Jeff page for preseason ratings. Way down there in the 37's. Cal Preps has got pretty close into this early season. Cal Preps as Linton 27-6. Harrells a much closer score. Sagarin buy a bunch. I don't buy the Sagarin rating or do I? If I were King (LOL) I would tell the Miners #3 just ta pump them up! Polls are polls but Linton is predicted win this game and Im gonna watch it on GCSN if they make the trip!

 

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On 9/2/2019 at 6:14 PM, kingtut said:

I noticed the strange anomaly that Linton had something like a 45 point differential over Monrovia in the Sag ratings but John Harrell had The Miners a 4 point favorite.  Actually, we all know that Harrell is much closer to being correct. 😊  Anyway, I hope you can make it to the game, Tom.  One game at a time.  One year at a time.  

Probably won't make it Tut.  Have radiation at 3:30  this Friday!  Had my biopsy today and I have NO esophageal cancer!  The lymph node that is swollen near my esophagus hasn't invaded it.  The doctor found no tissue there to take a sample.  So they are going to treat the node with radiation.  I guess I'll have to listen to Dan and Darren on the radio.  That is some consolation.  I really hate not getting to meet sbriant.  He's been a good chat friend on here over the years.

 

 

On 9/2/2019 at 6:14 PM, kingtut said:

I noticed the strange anomaly that Linton had something like a 45 point differential over Monrovia in the Sag ratings but John Harrell had The Miners a 4 point favorite.  Actually, we all know that Harrell is much closer to being correct. 😊  Anyway, I hope you can make it to the game, Tom.  One game at a time.  One year at a time.  

 

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Yeah.. I'm still here!!

QB

15

Goodman, Trey

11

6'1

170

RB

8

Lannan, Luke

12

5'10

185

WB

43

Howard, Cash

12

5'10

175

WB

5

Dyer, Lance

12

5'11

175

TE

35

Puckett, Avery

12

6'2

175

WR

18

Roberston, Devyn

12

6'2

165

             

LT

51

Smith, Dalton

12

5'10

205

LG

55

Rogers, Vedder

11

6'1

225

C

79

Mongeau, Tyler

12

6'1

205

RG

69

Giles, Damien

11

6'0

225

RT

57

Giles, Landon

11

6'0

210

SE

28

Hauser, Clayton

12

6'1

 

 

170

ILB

8

Lannan, Luke

12

5'10

185

ILB

2

Eslinger, Gabe

10

6'0

180

OLB

5

Dyer, Lance

12

5'11

175

OLB

11

Dyer, Trevor

12

5'10

165

DE

79

Mongeau, Tyler

12

6'1

205

DT

55

Rogers, Vedder

11

6'1

225

DT

64

Boldrey, Hunter

12

6'0

255

DE

51

Smith, Dalton

12

5'10

205

CB

23

House, Gavin

11

5'7

160

CB

18

Roberston, Devyn

12

6'2

165

FS

43

Howard, Cash

12

5'10

175

             

 

QB

9

Clements, Dalen

11

5'10

180

RB

33

Knight, Foster

12

6' 2

190

WR

36

Payne, Ethan

11

5' 9

150

WR

1

Maxwell, Jeren

12

5'11

180

TE

40

Wray, Hunter

11

6' 5

180

TE

30

Whalen, Jaden

11

6' 0

205

             

RT

58

Massey, Jett

 

10

6' 3

195

RG

63

Huffman, Jayden

 

11

5' 9

225

C

51

Bolen, Zak

 

12

5'10

215

LG

75

Shrake, Wyatt

 

10

6' 3

280

LT

70

Martin, Damon

 

12

6' 2

240

 

MLB

33

Knight, Foster

 

12

6' 2

190

OLB

25

Scdoris, Alex

 

10

5'11

170

OLB

40

Wray, Hunter

 

11

6' 5

180

DE

51

Bolen, Zak

 

12

5'10

215

DT

63

Huffman, Jayden

 

11

5' 9

225

DT

75

Shrake, Wyatt

 

10

6' 3

280

DE

30

Whalen, Jaden

 

11

6' 0

205

CB

36

Payne, Ethan

 

11

5' 9

150

CB

12

Padgett, Eli

 

11

5'10

175

SS

1

Maxwell, Jeren

 

12

5'11

180

FS

4

Camic, Todd

 

10

5'10

150

 

 

Miners and Bulldogs… meeting in Monrovia tonight.  An unusual start for the Bulldogs at 0-2… not seen since their 0-10 2005 season.  Linton sits at 1-1 riding high on a 35-12 win over 3A 1-1 Sullivan last week.  It should be noted that Monrovia’s 2 losses were by single scores.  14-6 to 3A Ritter, and 14-7 to 3A Edgewood.  Linton’s opening game loss was to 3A Southridge 28-20 in the last minutes of the contest.   These are two programs who reached the promised land in recent year.  Monrovia claiming the 2A Title in 2015—and also in 2009 losing to Luers, with 2 semi state appearances a in 2014 & 2016.  Linton won their 1A title in 2016 after a runner up in 2015 with numerous Semi-State appearances knocking on the door.  Both programs were bumped up for the success factor logic.  Linton has stayed in 2A now because of enrollment that puts the Miners just over line into 2A.  Monrovia was pushed to 3A the last couple years, and now is back in 2A themselves.   Coach Brian Oliver is now in his 7th year, with a 65-16 record, all at Linton while Kevin Hutchins has left Monrovia for an assistant role at Center Grove.  This brings in former South Putnam mentor Nathan Aker to the Bulldog program.  Aker had gone 27-31 in 5 years with the Eagles including a sectional championship in 2018. 

 

Monrovia is going through a learning curve somewhat of a new offense from Coach Aker, but still reverts to the ground n pound of Monrovia lore.  Gone is Clay Whitney---who rung up 217 yards , over 9 a carry in 2018’s 23-0 Bulldog win at the Roy. Whitney accounted for 338 yards rushing against Linton in 3 meetings.  Also gone is starting QB Ezra Wagner, TE Ian Wray, and 4 offensive line starters who also started defensively.  To make matters worse in addition to losing Whitney’s 1,439 yards and 13 rush TDs, it seems returning junior Corbin Padgett, who amassed 1,034 yards and 8 TDs is not with the team this year.  This puts the rushing load on #33 Foster Knight (Sr, 6’2 190) who is a big load to bring down, and a tough kid who started at Middle Linebacker on D.  He has 32 of the Bulldog carries (73 team total) in their first 2 games.  However it’s amounted to just 126 yards, a 3.94 per carry average.  We’ll also see another big kid in #46 Cole Butts (Sr, 5’10 195), who has 40 yards on 12 carries.  Both of these guys are going to be bruiser type backs.  The lone rush TD this year has come from WR #1 Jeren Maxwell (Sr, 5’11 180).  Maxwell was a receiver in ’18 and didn’t have a single rush. He did tie for the most receiving yards with 101 on 4 catches last year…but it was Padgett who led the team with 8 catches. The other WR is slated to be #36 Ethan Payne (Jr, 5’9 150) who has just 3 rushes for 1 yard.  At QB is #11 Dalen Clements (Jr, 5’10 180), who doesn’t appear to be a running guy…7 for -13 but that could be in lost yardage from sacks…  Word has it that Coach Aker is trying to open up the Bulldog offense to more pass friendly.  So far the learning process has made for limited success—87 yards in 2 games.  Clements has thrown 7 for 16 with 1 TD and 2 picks.  Maxwell has the only TD pass from WR... a 33 yarder to #4 Todd Camic (So, 5’10 150)…one of 3 catches for 47 years from WR Camic.  Maxwell has 3 catches for 28, Payne 1 for 12, and backup TE #21 Hunter Leeds (So, 6’3 180) 1 for 21.   Listed as the starting TEs are #40 Hunter Wray (Jr. 6’5 180) and #30 Jaden Whalen (Jr, 6’0 205)… so there is good size at that position.  On the line, only 1 returning starter in #63 Jeremy Huffman (jr, 5’9 225) returns and right guard.  Two seniors join him; one at center (#51 Zak Bolen (Sr, 5;10 215) and at LT #70 Damon Martin (Sr, 6’2 240).  Two Sophomores fill the other spots- RT #58 Jett Massey (So, 6’3 195) and LG Wyatt Shrake (So, 6’3 280)… Not a small group! 

 

Defensively, The Bulldogs actually return their top 3 tacklers in Knight (85 tkls) Maxwell (57) and Wray (52).  But they lost 8 starters counting Padgett.  Knight and Wray anchor the defense with Knight at MLB and Wray at OLB.  Knight leads the team with 17 tackles, 3 for loss, Way is next with 14 tackles and 1 TFL.  #25 Alex Scdoris (So, 5’11 170) is at the other OLB (10 Tckles).  Up front 3 OL will pull double duty with Huffman  (7 Tck) and Shake at DT’s, Bolen at one DE with Whalen (8 Tkl, Starting TE) at the other.  The corners are #11 Eli Padgett (Jr, 5’10 175) with Payne the other… SS is Maxwell who is co-leading tackler with Knight at 17, FS is Camic.  If you’re keeping track that’s 8 two-way starters for Monrovia.  I do see that Butts gives Knight a breather at MLB, and has 6 tackles, and #44 Nick Arnold (So, 5’9 165) shows up at OLB (2 Tkl) with#58 Massey from the OL with 6 tackles at DE.   Knight punts the ball for the Bulldogs at a 32.9 clip,  TJ Clark average 35.8 on kickoffs, and Madi Payne #3 and a senior has hit 1 of 2 PATs-

The Miners are showing versatility in these opening weeks, rushing for 369 and passing for 343.  An overall 356.00 ypg, split 184.5 rushing, 171.5 passing.  This is a big improvement on the numbers Linton put against the Bulldogs in the 23-0 loss (22 rush,  63 pass).  In that game Clay Whitney had 2 break-away TD runs of 69 (on the games 4th play), and 59 (On their 3 play of the 2nd half).  In between that was a Wagner to Niece 23 yard pass midway through the 2nd, with a safety in the 3rd accounting for the 23 points.  The Miners meanwhile… had little to no offense in the opening half with just a 39 yard hookup from Goodman to House getting Miner fans on their feet.   Linton with just 3 first downs all night and a mere 85 yards of total offense.  That has to rank as one of the all time low numbers.  But nearly everyone returns from that 2018 Miner loss, and that game was the first start for then sophomore Trey Goodman. 

 

Goodman comes into tonight with a 62.5% completion percentage and 0 picks.  He’s hit on 20 of 32 passing including an 11 of 14 game last week.  343 yards passing with 3 TDs to his credit.  #15 Goodman (Jr, 6’1 170) has to his benefit #18 Devyn Robertson (Sr, 6’2 165) and #28 Clayton Hauser (Sr, 6’1 170) at SE’s.  It’s rare that we’ve seen dual SE’s at Linton, but this combo is forcing that formation.  Robertson has caught 11 for 203 and a score, while Hauser came alive last week and adds 5 for 80.  Both have shown the ability to leap and bring in passes in jump ball situations.  All three RB’s have been at the positions for 3 years.  FB #8 Luke Lannan (Sr, 5’10 185) was the leading rusher in ’18 with 1,179 yards, and has back to back 70+ yard games thus far (28-145 5.0/c).  WB #5 Lance Dyer (Sr, 5’11 175) had 118 yards last week, and leads Linton with 182 yards on 19 carries in ’19.  Dyer had started at QB the first two weeks of 2018, but injured a shoulder—missing the Monrovia game last year.  Since returning he has been back at WB, and happy about it.  He had nearly 800 yards rushing in 2018.  #43 Cash Howard (Sr 5’10 175) is the other WB, who gets lets attention but has 2 rushing TDs in his 8 carries for 22 yards.   Miner WB’s also catch the ball… as Dyer had a 45 yard TD catch last week, and 2 catches this year; Howard adds 1 for 5.  The other weapon not so much used as of yet is TE #35 Avery Puckett (Sr, 6’2 175), altho he does have a 13 yard TD catch.   The offensive line is a veteran group with Seniors at LT #51 Dalton Smith (Sr, 5’10 205) and C #78 Tyler Mongeau (Sr, 6’1 205).  #55 Vedder Rogers returns at LG (Jr, 6’1 225) and well as another returning starter at RT #57 Landon Giles (Jr 6’0 210).  The new face is Landon’s brother #69 Damien Giles, a former TE (Jr. 6’0 225) at RG.  We are waiting for the return of #77 Dalton Carpenter (So 5’10 215) who has yet to suit up from a broken leg suffered in the summer.  He ended 2018 as a starting tackle as a freshman. 

 

Defensively the Miners have done very well against the run.  Holding both Southridge (82 yds) and Sullivan (57 yds) under 100, and under 2.5 yards a carry!   The numbers that jump out are the passing yards against.  267 from Southridge, 259 from Sullivan.  While those numbers are similar… it was still a big improvement from the Southridge game to the Sullivan game. The Raiders were just 8 of 19 passing, and Linton had 3 picks… it was just 3 or 4 busted coverages that resulted in huge Raider plays that burned the Miners.  The Arrows put the ball up 33 times, completing 19…and while there were a handful of long completions, there weren’t the long TD passes. I think also that the Miners dominated defending the rush game so that the Arrows were in pass mode most of the game if not the entire 2nd half. 

 

It would figure that the Bulldogs would try to find success in the air.  If for anything, to keep the Miner D honest.  It’s always hard to change an offense from one that a school had run for years and years.  But once it clicks…it can become dangerous.  I’m sure the Miner coaches will be ready for both options.  Heading up the Miner D is returning leading tackler Lannan (21 tackles, 4.5 TFL 2 sacks), and soph #2 Gabe Eslinger (So, 6’0 180).  Gabe is 2nd with 18 tackles, 2 for loss and a sack.  Linton’s base D is typically a 4-4, but we’ve seen a bunch of 5 man fronts.  With Eslinger manning the middle backer position, this puts Lannan in a prime blitzing position that brought success against Sullivan last week.  In 4-4 we see Lance Dyer (moving from the DB position last year) to one OLB, while his brother Trevor Dyer (#11, Sr, 5’10 165) has moved into the other OLB spot.  Lance had 9 tackles, Trevor with 8.  Up from the Miners will use three DE’s…usually Smith (8 Tkl 1 TFL) and Mongeau (9 Tckls 3 TFL 1 Sack), but also Puckett on passing downs (3 Tckls, 1 Sack).  DT’s are headed by returning starter #64 Hunter Boldrey (Sr, 6’0 255). Rogers (4 Tckls) as well as youngster #58 Donovan DeBruhl (So, 5’11 235) with 4 tkls.    We’ve also see Landon Giles in as well.  In a 5 man front it’s become common place to put a skill player, smaller but quick on the center.  Previous years have seen success from Chance Howard, and Chase Howard making big plays.  This year it’s #59 Braden Jackson (Sr, 5’7 70) and sometimes #25 Quin Miller (Sr, 5’11 175). Jackson has been in on 3 tackles, .5 TFL, while Miller has 5 tackles (several on Special Teams).   The DB’s certainly have been under fire these opening weeks, but improvement week to week is the goal.  #43 Cash Howard (Sr 5’10 175) moved from OLB to Safety this year, and made several key tackles last week…with 12 to his credit, and interception.  He had another erased on a penalty.  #23 Gavin House returns at corner (Jr, 5’7 160) with 9 tackles, and 2 picks.  In 5 man fronts, we’ve seen Trevor Dyer move out to CB, but we saw more of Robertson at CB last week… and he had a key pass breakup on the last play of the 1st half in the red zone.  Roberson has 4 tackles.  Soph Kaulin Padgett (#7, 5’8 165) was slated as a starter at CB, but has been unable to play since an ankle injury in the scrimmage.  He could be back this week or next.  #27 Jace Elmore (Sr 5’9 160) has been perfect on PAT’s 7-7, and averages 45.9 on kickoffs.  Lance Dyer has punted 6 times for a 29.8 average.   

 

So what happens tonight?

 

It’s Linton’s first road game.. and it’ s a long haul.   A couple hours in a bus.  In both Miner games this year they’ve come out slow… 2 lost fumbles in the 1st quarter against Sridge, and three 3 and out’s for a total of 5 yards in the opening quarter against Sullivan.  The defense has had to save to day early on.. and did so in both games.  Monrovia is a team desperate for a win.  We talk about Linton’s schedule… but the Bulldogs have quite the task as well---Triton Central 2A #6/#5; Indy Lutheran 1A #1/#1;  Indy Scecina 2A #2/#2.  Ritter has an improved team, Edgewood coming off an 8-4 season and is 2-0.  Keep in mind they’ve given up just 14 points in each of those losses.  Linton can’t afford to come out slow, or not be 100% physical from the opening kickoff. 

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2 hours ago, Miner_Pride said:

Yeah.. I'm still here!!

QB

 

15

 

Goodman, Trey

 

11

 

6'1

 

170

 

RB

 

8

 

Lannan, Luke

 

12

 

5'10

 

185

 

WB

 

43

 

Howard, Cash

 

12

 

5'10

 

175

 

WB

 

5

 

Dyer, Lance

 

12

 

5'11

 

175

 

TE

 

35

 

Puckett, Avery

 

12

 

6'2

 

175

 

WR

 

18

 

Roberston, Devyn

 

12

 

6'2

 

165

 

             

LT

 

51

 

Smith, Dalton

 

12

 

5'10

 

205

 

LG

 

55

 

Rogers, Vedder

 

11

 

6'1

 

225

 

C

 

79

 

Mongeau, Tyler

 

12

 

6'1

 

205

 

RG

 

69

 

Giles, Damien

 

11

 

6'0

 

225

 

RT

 

57

 

Giles, Landon

 

11

 

6'0

 

210

SE

 

28

 

Hauser, Clayton

 

12

 

6'1

 

 

 

 

 

170

ILB

 

8

 

Lannan, Luke

 

12

 

5'10

 

185

 

ILB

 

2

 

Eslinger, Gabe

 

10

 

6'0

 

180

 

OLB

 

5

 

Dyer, Lance

 

12

 

5'11

 

175

 

OLB

 

11

 

Dyer, Trevor

 

12

 

5'10

 

165

 

DE

 

79

 

Mongeau, Tyler

 

12

 

6'1

 

205

 

DT

 

55

 

Rogers, Vedder

 

11

 

6'1

 

225

 

DT

 

64

 

Boldrey, Hunter

 

12

 

6'0

 

255

 

DE

 

51

 

Smith, Dalton

 

12

 

5'10

 

205

 

CB

 

23

 

House, Gavin

 

11

 

5'7

 

160

 

CB

 

18

 

Roberston, Devyn

 

12

 

6'2

 

165

 

FS

 

43

 

Howard, Cash

 

12

 

5'10

 

175

 

             

 

 

QB

 

9

 

Clements, Dalen

 

11

 

5'10

 

180

 

RB

 

33

 

Knight, Foster

 

12

 

6' 2

 

190

 

WR

 

36

 

Payne, Ethan

 

11

 

5' 9

 

150

 

WR

 

1

 

Maxwell, Jeren

 

12

 

5'11

 

180

 

TE

 

40

 

Wray, Hunter

 

11

 

6' 5

 

180

 

TE

 

30

 

Whalen, Jaden

 

11

 

6' 0

 

205

 

             

RT

 

58

 

Massey, Jett

 

 

10

 

6' 3

 

195

 

RG

 

63

 

Huffman, Jayden

 

 

11

 

5' 9

 

225

 

C

 

51

 

Bolen, Zak

 

 

12

 

5'10

 

215

 

LG

 

75

 

Shrake, Wyatt

 

 

10

 

6' 3

 

280

 

LT

 

70

 

Martin, Damon

 

 

12

 

6' 2

 

240

 

 

 

MLB

 

33

 

Knight, Foster

 

 

12

 

6' 2

 

190

 

OLB

 

25

 

Scdoris, Alex

 

 

10

 

5'11

 

170

 

OLB

 

40

 

Wray, Hunter

 

 

11

 

6' 5

 

180

 

DE

 

51

 

Bolen, Zak

 

 

12

 

5'10

 

215

 

DT

 

63

 

Huffman, Jayden

 

 

11

 

5' 9

 

225

 

DT

 

75

 

Shrake, Wyatt

 

 

10

 

6' 3

 

280

 

DE

 

30

 

Whalen, Jaden

 

 

11

 

6' 0

 

205

 

CB

 

36

 

Payne, Ethan

 

 

11

 

5' 9

 

150

 

CB

 

12

 

Padgett, Eli

 

 

11

 

5'10

 

175

 

SS

 

1

 

Maxwell, Jeren

 

 

12

 

5'11

 

180

 

FS

 

4

 

Camic, Todd

 

 

10

 

5'10

 

150

 

 

 

 

Miners and Bulldogs… meeting in Monrovia tonight.  An unusual start for the Bulldogs at 0-2… not seen since their 0-10 2005 season.  Linton sits at 1-1 riding high on a 35-12 win over 3A 1-1 Sullivan last week.  It should be noted that Monrovia’s 2 losses were by single scores.  14-6 to 3A Ritter, and 14-7 to 3A Edgewood.  Linton’s opening game loss was to 3A Southridge 28-20 in the last minutes of the contest.   These are two programs who reached the promised land in recent year.  Monrovia claiming the 2A Title in 2015—and also in 2009 losing to Luers, with 2 semi state appearances a in 2014 & 2016.  Linton won their 1A title in 2016 after a runner up in 2015 with numerous Semi-State appearances knocking on the door.  Both programs were bumped up for the success factor logic.  Linton has stayed in 2A now because of enrollment that puts the Miners just over line into 2A.  Monrovia was pushed to 3A the last couple years, and now is back in 2A themselves.   Coach Brian Oliver is now in his 7th year, with a 65-16 record, all at Linton while Kevin Hutchins has left Monrovia for an assistant role at Center Grove.  This brings in former South Putnam mentor Nathan Aker to the Bulldog program.  Aker had gone 27-31 in 5 years with the Eagles including a sectional championship in 2018. 

 

 

 

Monrovia is going through a learning curve somewhat of a new offense from Coach Aker, but still reverts to the ground n pound of Monrovia lore.  Gone is Clay Whitney---who rung up 217 yards , over 9 a carry in 2018’s 23-0 Bulldog win at the Roy. Whitney accounted for 338 yards rushing against Linton in 3 meetings.  Also gone is starting QB Ezra Wagner, TE Ian Wray, and 4 offensive line starters who also started defensively.  To make matters worse in addition to losing Whitney’s 1,439 yards and 13 rush TDs, it seems returning junior Corbin Padgett, who amassed 1,034 yards and 8 TDs is not with the team this year.  This puts the rushing load on #33 Foster Knight (Sr, 6’2 190) who is a big load to bring down, and a tough kid who started at Middle Linebacker on D.  He has 32 of the Bulldog carries (73 team total) in their first 2 games.  However it’s amounted to just 126 yards, a 3.94 per carry average.  We’ll also see another big kid in #46 Cole Butts (Sr, 5’10 195), who has 40 yards on 12 carries.  Both of these guys are going to be bruiser type backs.  The lone rush TD this year has come from WR #1 Jeren Maxwell (Sr, 5’11 180).  Maxwell was a receiver in ’18 and didn’t have a single rush. He did tie for the most receiving yards with 101 on 4 catches last year…but it was Padgett who led the team with 8 catches. The other WR is slated to be #36 Ethan Payne (Jr, 5’9 150) who has just 3 rushes for 1 yard.  At QB is #11 Dalen Clements (Jr, 5’10 180), who doesn’t appear to be a running guy…7 for -13 but that could be in lost yardage from sacks…  Word has it that Coach Aker is trying to open up the Bulldog offense to more pass friendly.  So far the learning process has made for limited success—87 yards in 2 games.  Clements has thrown 7 for 16 with 1 TD and 2 picks.  Maxwell has the only TD pass from WR... a 33 yarder to #4 Todd Camic (So, 5’10 150)…one of 3 catches for 47 years from WR Camic.  Maxwell has 3 catches for 28, Payne 1 for 12, and backup TE #21 Hunter Leeds (So, 6’3 180) 1 for 21.   Listed as the starting TEs are #40 Hunter Wray (Jr. 6’5 180) and #30 Jaden Whalen (Jr, 6’0 205)… so there is good size at that position.  On the line, only 1 returning starter in #63 Jeremy Huffman (jr, 5’9 225) returns and right guard.  Two seniors join him; one at center (#51 Zak Bolen (Sr, 5;10 215) and at LT #70 Damon Martin (Sr, 6’2 240).  Two Sophomores fill the other spots- RT #58 Jett Massey (So, 6’3 195) and LG Wyatt Shrake (So, 6’3 280)… Not a small group! 

 

 

 

Defensively, The Bulldogs actually return their top 3 tacklers in Knight (85 tkls) Maxwell (57) and Wray (52).  But they lost 8 starters counting Padgett.  Knight and Wray anchor the defense with Knight at MLB and Wray at OLB.  Knight leads the team with 17 tackles, 3 for loss, Way is next with 14 tackles and 1 TFL.  #25 Alex Scdoris (So, 5’11 170) is at the other OLB (10 Tckles).  Up front 3 OL will pull double duty with Huffman  (7 Tck) and Shake at DT’s, Bolen at one DE with Whalen (8 Tkl, Starting TE) at the other.  The corners are #11 Eli Padgett (Jr, 5’10 175) with Payne the other… SS is Maxwell who is co-leading tackler with Knight at 17, FS is Camic.  If you’re keeping track that’s 8 two-way starters for Monrovia.  I do see that Butts gives Knight a breather at MLB, and has 6 tackles, and #44 Nick Arnold (So, 5’9 165) shows up at OLB (2 Tkl) with#58 Massey from the OL with 6 tackles at DE.   Knight punts the ball for the Bulldogs at a 32.9 clip,  TJ Clark average 35.8 on kickoffs, and Madi Payne #3 and a senior has hit 1 of 2 PATs-

 

The Miners are showing versatility in these opening weeks, rushing for 369 and passing for 343.  An overall 356.00 ypg, split 184.5 rushing, 171.5 passing.  This is a big improvement on the numbers Linton put against the Bulldogs in the 23-0 loss (22 rush,  63 pass).  In that game Clay Whitney had 2 break-away TD runs of 69 (on the games 4th play), and 59 (On their 3 play of the 2nd half).  In between that was a Wagner to Niece 23 yard pass midway through the 2nd, with a safety in the 3rd accounting for the 23 points.  The Miners meanwhile… had little to no offense in the opening half with just a 39 yard hookup from Goodman to House getting Miner fans on their feet.   Linton with just 3 first downs all night and a mere 85 yards of total offense.  That has to rank as one of the all time low numbers.  But nearly everyone returns from that 2018 Miner loss, and that game was the first start for then sophomore Trey Goodman. 

 

 

 

Goodman comes into tonight with a 62.5% completion percentage and 0 picks.  He’s hit on 20 of 32 passing including an 11 of 14 game last week.  343 yards passing with 3 TDs to his credit.  #15 Goodman (Jr, 6’1 170) has to his benefit #18 Devyn Robertson (Sr, 6’2 165) and #28 Clayton Hauser (Sr, 6’1 170) at SE’s.  It’s rare that we’ve seen dual SE’s at Linton, but this combo is forcing that formation.  Robertson has caught 11 for 203 and a score, while Hauser came alive last week and adds 5 for 80.  Both have shown the ability to leap and bring in passes in jump ball situations.  All three RB’s have been at the positions for 3 years.  FB #8 Luke Lannan (Sr, 5’10 185) was the leading rusher in ’18 with 1,179 yards, and has back to back 70+ yard games thus far (28-145 5.0/c).  WB #5 Lance Dyer (Sr, 5’11 175) had 118 yards last week, and leads Linton with 182 yards on 19 carries in ’19.  Dyer had started at QB the first two weeks of 2018, but injured a shoulder—missing the Monrovia game last year.  Since returning he has been back at WB, and happy about it.  He had nearly 800 yards rushing in 2018.  #43 Cash Howard (Sr 5’10 175) is the other WB, who gets lets attention but has 2 rushing TDs in his 8 carries for 22 yards.   Miner WB’s also catch the ball… as Dyer had a 45 yard TD catch last week, and 2 catches this year; Howard adds 1 for 5.  The other weapon not so much used as of yet is TE #35 Avery Puckett (Sr, 6’2 175), altho he does have a 13 yard TD catch.   The offensive line is a veteran group with Seniors at LT #51 Dalton Smith (Sr, 5’10 205) and C #78 Tyler Mongeau (Sr, 6’1 205).  #55 Vedder Rogers returns at LG (Jr, 6’1 225) and well as another returning starter at RT #57 Landon Giles (Jr 6’0 210).  The new face is Landon’s brother #69 Damien Giles, a former TE (Jr. 6’0 225) at RG.  We are waiting for the return of #77 Dalton Carpenter (So 5’10 215) who has yet to suit up from a broken leg suffered in the summer.  He ended 2018 as a starting tackle as a freshman. 

 

 

 

Defensively the Miners have done very well against the run.  Holding both Southridge (82 yds) and Sullivan (57 yds) under 100, and under 2.5 yards a carry!   The numbers that jump out are the passing yards against.  267 from Southridge, 259 from Sullivan.  While those numbers are similar… it was still a big improvement from the Southridge game to the Sullivan game. The Raiders were just 8 of 19 passing, and Linton had 3 picks… it was just 3 or 4 busted coverages that resulted in huge Raider plays that burned the Miners.  The Arrows put the ball up 33 times, completing 19…and while there were a handful of long completions, there weren’t the long TD passes. I think also that the Miners dominated defending the rush game so that the Arrows were in pass mode most of the game if not the entire 2nd half. 

 

 

 

It would figure that the Bulldogs would try to find success in the air.  If for anything, to keep the Miner D honest.  It’s always hard to change an offense from one that a school had run for years and years.  But once it clicks…it can become dangerous.  I’m sure the Miner coaches will be ready for both options.  Heading up the Miner D is returning leading tackler Lannan (21 tackles, 4.5 TFL 2 sacks), and soph #2 Gabe Eslinger (So, 6’0 180).  Gabe is 2nd with 18 tackles, 2 for loss and a sack.  Linton’s base D is typically a 4-4, but we’ve seen a bunch of 5 man fronts.  With Eslinger manning the middle backer position, this puts Lannan in a prime blitzing position that brought success against Sullivan last week.  In 4-4 we see Lance Dyer (moving from the DB position last year) to one OLB, while his brother Trevor Dyer (#11, Sr, 5’10 165) has moved into the other OLB spot.  Lance had 9 tackles, Trevor with 8.  Up from the Miners will use three DE’s…usually Smith (8 Tkl 1 TFL) and Mongeau (9 Tckls 3 TFL 1 Sack), but also Puckett on passing downs (3 Tckls, 1 Sack).  DT’s are headed by returning starter #64 Hunter Boldrey (Sr, 6’0 255). Rogers (4 Tckls) as well as youngster #58 Donovan DeBruhl (So, 5’11 235) with 4 tkls.    We’ve also see Landon Giles in as well.  In a 5 man front it’s become common place to put a skill player, smaller but quick on the center.  Previous years have seen success from Chance Howard, and Chase Howard making big plays.  This year it’s #59 Braden Jackson (Sr, 5’7 70) and sometimes #25 Quin Miller (Sr, 5’11 175). Jackson has been in on 3 tackles, .5 TFL, while Miller has 5 tackles (several on Special Teams).   The DB’s certainly have been under fire these opening weeks, but improvement week to week is the goal.  #43 Cash Howard (Sr 5’10 175) moved from OLB to Safety this year, and made several key tackles last week…with 12 to his credit, and interception.  He had another erased on a penalty.  #23 Gavin House returns at corner (Jr, 5’7 160) with 9 tackles, and 2 picks.  In 5 man fronts, we’ve seen Trevor Dyer move out to CB, but we saw more of Robertson at CB last week… and he had a key pass breakup on the last play of the 1st half in the red zone.  Roberson has 4 tackles.  Soph Kaulin Padgett (#7, 5’8 165) was slated as a starter at CB, but has been unable to play since an ankle injury in the scrimmage.  He could be back this week or next.  #27 Jace Elmore (Sr 5’9 160) has been perfect on PAT’s 7-7, and averages 45.9 on kickoffs.  Lance Dyer has punted 6 times for a 29.8 average.   

 

 

 

So what happens tonight?

 

 

 

It’s Linton’s first road game.. and it’ s a long haul.   A couple hours in a bus.  In both Miner games this year they’ve come out slow… 2 lost fumbles in the 1st quarter against Sridge, and three 3 and out’s for a total of 5 yards in the opening quarter against Sullivan.  The defense has had to save to day early on.. and did so in both games.  Monrovia is a team desperate for a win.  We talk about Linton’s schedule… but the Bulldogs have quite the task as well---Triton Central 2A #6/#5; Indy Lutheran 1A #1/#1;  Indy Scecina 2A #2/#2.  Ritter has an improved team, Edgewood coming off an 8-4 season and is 2-0.  Keep in mind they’ve given up just 14 points in each of those losses.  Linton can’t afford to come out slow, or not be 100% physical from the opening kickoff. 

 

Bout time your back!

 

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There were so many bad snaps, at times it seemed like Linton had a 12th defender out there.  Maybe the game would have been a little closer if there weren't so many.  Then again, Linton left a couple of scores on the field (lost fumble at the 2 yard line and a pick at the 17 yard line).  Turnovers are bad enough but red zone turnovers drive ya crazy!  So close!

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3 hours ago, WCGrad92 said:

Tough Night for the Bulldogs for sure,  Congrats to Linton

It must have been some sort of record with Monrovia fumbling 11 times but recovering all 11.  The fumbles were mostly the result of bad snaps or mishandling of the snaps and resulted in over 60 yards in losses, many at inopportune times.   Without all those gifts, the game might have been much closer.  I never saw Monrovia play like that before.  But as mentioned above the Miners gave away a couple of scoring opportunities also.

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2 hours ago, kingtut said:

It must have been some sort of record with Monrovia fumbling 11 times but recovering all 11.  The fumbles were mostly the result of bad snaps or mishandling of the snaps and resulted in over 60 yards in losses, many at inopportune times.   Without all those gifts, the game might have been much closer.  I never saw Monrovia play like that before.  But as mentioned above the Miners gave away a couple of scoring opportunities also.

Monrovia in the Shotgun?? Coach Akers have them in a different offense?

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