Robert Matthews: Welcome back to another edition of SLPN Sports coverage of Louisiana State Football, Division III. It's early in the season, and everybody's got a fire in their belly. The weather isn't as brutal as last week, but we can be sure the action will be. Teams are going to look to shake off the season's losing start, or to build on their winning streak. Saturday at 3pm SLT, we'll be watching the Columtreal Looters head on over to Avondale to face the Chasers. With me, as every weekend, I'll have the expert commentary of State Champ Defensive MVP, Will "Tank" McNamara. What are your thoughts on this match up, Tank? Either of these teams bound for the victor's circle?
Tank McNamara: I'm thinking it's too early to tell, Rob. Any predictions at this point would just be a fool's game. And I don't play that game.
RM: That is true. But what does either side bring to the field?
TM: I can tell you that Avondale's bringing a proud tradition of grind-it-out, smash-mouth football. The Chasers get to the win like they have since the seventies. On the shoulders of their running back and their O-line. They like to hold onto the rock and pound it all day long. And this year, they've got a true brick in the halfback position.
RM: Rock Washington.
TM: Rock 'The Rock' Washington. I mean, this kid is a product of destiny. His mama named him 'Rock' and she knew what she had. He's grown up to be two-hundred-and-sixty pounds of unstoppable force. Rock's in his third year at Avondale, and they've shaped their entire offense around him. Heck, I don't even know who's taking the snaps for him.
RM: Taylor Linkletter.
TM: All right; I'll take your word for it, Rob. Point being, this Linkletter kid has to know about seven plays. And they all feature Rock riding behind the wall of beef that Avondale recruited to break gaps in the opponent's defense for him. Each of these dudes must clock in just shy of 300. And when their right tackle, Grover Custer, gets moving, look out! The kid's a freight train on cleats!
RM: Custer was last year's MVP at the Offensive Line position, right?
TM: You know it, Rob. And it's rare you see a right tackle taking that title. But Grover Custer had 60 pancakes to his credit - that's a hit that lays the defender flat out. That number's nearly unheard of. But then, for a guy to be as fast and as big as ol' Grover is, well, that's a Biblical miracle right there.
RM: What's Avondale showing on defense, Tank?
TM: Steel. Pure steel. These kids all have grit. They fight for every yard and don't give up progress easy. That whole idea of 'bend-don't-break' defense? That hasn't reached Avondale. You don't bend them. You don't break them. You don't want to touch them. They come for you. This is a defensive swarm that loves to blitz on every play. They bring their Strong Safety, Hank Reamer, right in the face of the ball carrier. You try to run on these guys - hell, you even try to hold onto the ball for two seconds to let a pass play develop - and Reamer will be down your throat.
RM: This is a kid who's downright feared.
TM: Took Avondale to the playoffs, practically. Reamer makes sure that the opponent's scores are kept off the board, while the plodding run game behind Rock keeps the ball out of opponent's hands. This is what they call "possession football," meaning that the whole key to Avondale's success is to shut their enemy down hard when they're on defense and - when they get the ball - to take their time. They run it, let the clock run, and wear their opponents down. They just grind 'em up.
RM: Do the Looters have the spine to stand up to this grinding attack? We saw a lot of flash last week.
TM: Yeah, a lot of sizzle but no steak. They were uncoordinated and made a lot of errors. First off, they made a real rookie move by letting the Tornadoes get the ball back. Had to be the dumbest decision in the state of Louisiana that week. To be ahead, against an elite offense, and to let them have the ball back with enough time to run a two-minute drill, is crazy stupid. And they had penalties. They had sloppy line play. Their flashes of brilliance were lost in a big mess.
RM: What flashes are you talking about, Tank?
TM: Keaton's arm, for one. The boy lit it up under pressure. Damn shame he couldn't move the chains when he didn't have a gun to his head. Then again, if you need consistent offense, the Looters don't got to look no further than Michiyaki. Man, that kid is a rabid dog! Did you see him stiff-arm that cornerback when he ran it in for his second score? I think the kid's eyes still haven't uncrossed! Michi put two scores up, one through the air, and had a huge day. He is violent, he is dedicated, and he's got a lot of learning left in him. We've only seen the start for this kid.
RM: How about the Kicker, Corbin?
TM: The bulletproof boy wonder? This'll be his first real outing, but if toughness were all that counts at the Kicker position, I'd be voting for MVP already. This guy's in and out of the hospital more than Doctor House. I swear he must have magnets in his bones, as much as he attracts knives and bullets. All kidding aside, though, there's nothing that can keep him off the practice field. Nothing. You can set this kid on fire and he'll strap on his helmet over the flames.
RM: That's some dedication. Well, tune in Saturday at three to see if the Looters light up Avondale, or get snuffed by the Rock and Reamer.
TM: And Grover Custer! I want to see if he can put down that Strong Safety, Scott Samson, like the mad dog he is!
RM: Don't miss it! 3pm SLT, via @LootersFootball!
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