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Outlaws face overwhelming odds in matchup with Dragons November 20, 2008 - No reporter cited

Dewayne Holloway
Sports Editor

Many might consider the Dierks Outlaws win over the Conway Christian Eagles last week nothing more than a prolonging of an inevitable exit from the playoffs, with Junction City on the schedule in the second round.

But Coach David Bennett and the Dierks Outlaws have faced tough challenges in the past and are preparing to do everything possible to continue their dream of a 2A state title.

“It will take our best game Friday night, but they are beatable,” Bennett said. He is hoping that his Outlaws are ready and able to prove his point.

The Dierks Outlaws will travel to Junction City Friday night to face the number one 2A team in the state, a team that is no stranger to 7-2A opponents in the playoffs.

The Dragons’ last defeat came at the hands of the Mt. Ida Lions in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs last year leaving their dreams of a state title unfulfilled.

The Dragons entered the 2008 season with sense of urgency and the talent to fulfill their dream of a title, dominating every team that has taken the field opposite them this season.

Dominate may be to soft a word, with their offense outscoring their opponents with an average of 48-3 while recording five shutouts in the process.

Junction City wins on the ground, averaging over 300 yards per game on the ground, with five players contributing to the running attack.

Kiedarian Ross and Grantel Kennedy lead the way with over 20 touchdowns between them for the season. Rodney Larry, Alan Turner and Paris Nelson also contribute to the powerful Junction City offense.

The big factor in the success of their running game is their offensive line.

Byran “Big Baby” Jones is literally a mountain of a man on the inside, at 6-2 and 290 lbs. Jones is ranked in the Rivals 250 junior class and looks every bit the D1 prospect.

Devin Bell lines up at tight end, and at 6-2 and 220 lbs, forms a wall with Jones that is almost impenetrable.

Jacob Pumphrey is another stand out lineman who adds to a line that anyone can run behind.

The key to the Outlaws success on defense will be execution. They must play mistake-free football, beating Junction City to the line.

The Outlaw defense has faced o-lines larger than they are most of the season. Senior noseman Shaye Gilbert will not back down from the challenge, as Dierks tries to find a way to stop the vaunted Dragon offense.

Drew Walston, David Bray, John Alvarado, Jesse Edge and Justin Johnson will play a huge part in plugging up the middle for the Outlaw defense.

Dustin Bissell, Cody Stapp, Chase Mitchell, Ryne Shelton and Justin Simmons will have to protect from the occasional pass and hem in any running backs who break through the front line of the Outlaws.

Many have said that Dierks has the tools to beat Junction City offensively, with senior quarterback Walston throwing for over 1,700 yards so far this season.

What little success teams have had against Junction City’s defense has been in the air, but the Dragons are allowing less that 60 yards total offense for the season. Walston will have to find an open man quickly if Dierks is going to move the ball.

Mitchell has been Walston’s go-to receiver throughout the season and will play a major part in any success that the Outlaws have on offense.

Simmons, Bissell and Cody Stapp are all legitimate threats in the air and will look to stretch the Dragon’s defense.

Bray will lead the running attack for the Outlaws with Walston running when necessary. The best chance that Dierks has at success may be the use of screen passes to Bray and Alvarado out of the backfield.

It will be hard for Dierks to find success on the ground, with Junction City recording 56 tackles for a loss and holding their opponents to less than ten yards per game on the ground.

Dierks will make the long trip south Friday, Nov. 21, to face the Junction City Dragons, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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