QueenCityHigh.com - Preview: Centerville at St. Xavier

November 4, 2009

Katie Budke
QueenCityHigh.com Staff Writer

The St. Xavier Bombers know all about what it takes to win state championships as they won their last title just two years ago. Many of the seniors on this team were a part of that effort.

They also know what it is like to miss the playoffs altogether as the Bombers sat home last November.

This time around Steve Specht's bunch has earned the region's top seed. They enter November as one of the favorites to walk away with the Division I crown.

It won't be an easy path, starting with their opening-round opponent, the Centerville Elks, out of the GWOC.

Let's take a closer look at the match-up:

ST. XAVIER BOMBERS
Division I Region IV
HEAD COACH: Steve Specht
2009 RECORD: 8-2, 3-0

CENTERVILLE ELKS
Division I Region IV
HEAD COACH: Ron Ullery
2009 RECORD: 8-2, 4-1

St. Xavier's Key to Victory: The key for St. Xavier is its strength: defense. The Bombers take on an Elks' triple option offense that averages 416 yards per contest and over 36 points. Earlier in the season, St. Xavier shutout a potent Colerain triple option, but unlike the Cardinals, Centerville has the ability to pass for significant yardage. Quarterback Zak Bertram has amassed nearly 900 yards through the air in 2009. Bertram and the Elks will provide a stiff challenge for a St. Xavier defense that has allowed only 98 points all season. In St. Xavier's win over Moeller last week, the Bombers were able to shut down opposing quarterback Andrew Hendrix and limit the Crusader's passing attack. If the Bombers can duplicate that effort, they should advance to the regional semifinal.

Centerville's Key to Victory: St. Xavier's defense will no doubt be the toughest Centerville has faced all year. The Elks' offensive line must hold off defenders and allow big plays to develop. They will need to find out what offensive weapons give St. Xavier trouble and take whatever the Bombers allow them to have. The Elks have options in Bertram as well as Nick Miller and Tristin Boykin out of the backfield. Expect one of them to have a huge performance as it would be impossible to shut down all three. Centerville will look to win the time of possession battle and provide a minimum number of opportunities for St. Xavier quarterback Luke Massa and the Bomber offense. Of great concern for the Elks is Bomber running back Connor Hundley who leads the GCL with 913 rushing yards.

Players to Watch: The Elks' offense has lit up the scoreboard with great frequency this season thanks to quarterback Bertram and running backs Wilson and Boykin. The three have combined for over 2,300 yards of offense. Hundley has created problems for Bomber opponents all season long. St. Xavier defensive linemen Steven Daniels and Nigel Muhammad each have five sacks. Expect them to put plenty of pressure on Bertram.

Team Trends: This marks the Elks' third consecutive trip to the postseason. Centerville advanced to the regional semifinals in 2007 only to be ousted by eventual-State Champion St. Xavier in a 31-6 rout. The Bombers return to the playoffs after a one-year absence.

Prediction: St. Xavier 20, Centerville 14

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