PAC-6 Breakdown (Week 1 Playoffs) - Falcons visit Hornets - Not What You Think...

PHOTO BY MARK DOLEJS

The Hornets took care of business last week, securing an outright conference championship and setting themselves up for the top overall seed in the 4A state playoffs.  Mission accomplished - at least for the near term.  The Hornets were on fire last week on both sides of the ball, with quarterback Vad Lee rushing for over 100 yards and passing for over 150 and in total combining for over 300 yards of total offense.  Jamal Williams and Khris Francis got in the mix as well helping the Hornets rush for 258 yards at 6 YPC.  Through the air the Hornets picked up almost 9 YPA while scoring twice.  Defensively, Hillside stifled the Knights offense shutting down a typically consistent rushing attack for just 14 yards at a lowly 0.4 YPC.  Almost a total effort, the type that propels you into the playoffs, but things weren't completely top notch...

The Hornets turned the ball over repeatedly, while committing a number of penalties that were in many ways unforced.  Although the final scoreboard indicated a convincing victory, there were issues behind the curtain that against stiffer competition could lead to a tough night for the Hornets.

In pulling the top draw in the 4A eastern side of the bracket the Hornets are matched up against the #16 seeded Southeast Guilford Falcons out of the Metro conference.  The Falcons finished the season 6-5 and 2-4 in conference losing four of their final six games on the year.  The Hornets are riding high off of their PAC-6 crown, but it will be key for Hillside to not take these Falcons too lightly as we shall see...so let's get started.

The Final Analysis

The Hornets have been dominant on both sides of the ball this year, rushing for over 6 YPC and throwing for over 9 YPA.  Defensively they've shut the opposition down, allowing just 3 YPC and just over 5 YPA.  They've scored 42 rushing touchdowns this year and both their special teams and defense has helped the cause on the scoreboard.  It seems so easy doesn't it...until you look at the Falcons.  The Falcons Wing-T offense has been deadly good this year as they have rushed for over 3200 yards on the year.  They've put up monster numbers in almost every game this year, win or lose.  Although they haven't passed that often they've still manged to pick up just over 7 YPA.  Where they break down a bit, is on the defensive side of the ball.  They are allowing over 6 YPC and over 12 YPA.

The Hornets should take advantage of the Falcons weaknesses on defense, but the outcome of this game will be determined when the Falcons attempt to rush and how well the Hornets defend the rush.  Unlike a traditional rushing attack the Wing-T is filled with deception and undisciplined teams will find themselves letting a 70 yard score occur on a simple dive play.  If the Hornets can play disciplined ball, then it's tough to see the Falcons competing on the scoreboard - but it only takes one mistake for a team like this to score and score fast.

DFBFan's Pick - Southeast Guilford (6-5) at Hillside (11-0)
Hillside - 45
Southeast Guilford - 21