Published: November 27, 2008 11:34 pm            

ADAM VANKIRK: We all knew it was coming

Some have been open to talk about it. Others not so much.

But, whether we’ll admit it or not, we all knew it was coming and now it’s here. Raceland and Lexington Christian Round 2.

The first meeting of the teams — what seems like so long ago back on Sept. 26 — didn’t disappoint in its high expectations, the Rams taking that one 37-35. However, the dramatics of the game’s end lasted just a few brief moments.

At the time, all the talk was of a potential rematch in the playoffs, even as the Raceland players and fans were celebrated on their field. I vividly remember Raceland quarterback Tyler Boyles telling me LCA would be back and that he was just glad the Rams would be home for the rematch.

He was right.

Boyles was talking about it. I was talking about it. Other media were talking about it. Players, coaches, you name it, they were all talking about it.

Call it looking too far ahead. Call it speculation — or even careless speculation. Call it whatever you want, in fact.

The bottom line is tonight’s game has been building steam for two months now. That Raceland win was quickly brought back to earth by the realization that the Rams and Eagles would meet again in the quarterfinal round of the Class A playoffs.

And now it’s time.

Want an expert’s take on how things will go this time around? Go somewhere else.

I’ll tell you what I think, though.

In the first meeting, Raceland

established its running game early. Bret Denton and John Scott Carver (by now you know who these guys are) racked up nearly 200 yards combined in the first half as the Rams took control of the pace of the game.

The key couple of series of the game, however, came just before halftime. LCA had the ball deep on its own side of the field and rather than just running out the clock, the Eagles opted to try for the quick strike.

The decision ultimately turned into a 14-point swing in favor of Raceland. Not only did LCA not score, but an interception with close to a minutes remaining in the second quarter turned into a quick Rams score with 38 second left.

The score gave Raceland a 34-21 lead at halftime and set the tone for the second half.

Raceland grinded the clock, not risking too much in the second half, while LCA finally started breaking off some decent runs with star running back Dominique Hayden to complement its passing game.

The Eagles got back into the game — and even took a two-point lead late in the fourth quarter.

The Rams, however, regained the lead for good on a Tate Preston field goal. A Boyles interception at the Rams’ goal line killed the Eagles’ final push and sealed the victory.

That, in a nutshell, was the first game.

What does that mean for tonight, you ask?

Well, not a whole lot. Game plans adjust as the breaks of a game come about and you could certainly see that happen in the first Rams-Eagles matchup.

However, if I know nothing else, I know LCA and Raceland’s coaches know each others tendencies. LCA will spread the field and throw the football tonight. Raceland, well, it will try to take advantage of its tough offensive line by running Denton and Carver.

Both sides will likely accomplish what they set out to do offensively tonight — for the most part anyway. There’s no secret there; these are very, very good offensive football teams.

But that’s not where tonight’s game will be won, though. What you need to look for is special teams, turnovers and defense.

There can be no gimmies. No big plays when the offenses aren’t on the field. And, perhaps most importantly, no vanilla defenses.

Someone will take the edge on the other tonight and my feeling is it will come on the defensive side of the ball. Whether it’s blitzing or coverage packages, stunts up front, bringing eight or nine in the box or rushing only three, I don’t know. I’m not that smart. I just know that if there is an advantage to be had on defense, there’s likely a game to be won.

So, with all the hype and talk leading up to tonight’s game, why stop now?

You want a prediction in what should be another great game? Here’s what I’ve got for you.

Wait ... you hear that? I must have talked myself silly and lost track of time. I hear the bell for Round 2.

I’ll go with Raceland.

Gotta go!

ADAM VANKIRK can be reached at avankirk@

dailyindependent.com or

(606) 326-2664.

        

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