#2 Brockton Breakdown

     Speed kills.  And in New England, Brockton is always amongst the fastest.  Whether it be Albert Louis-Jean blowing past defensive backs or Saquaan Louis exploding into the backfield, Brockton traditionally has plenty of players with the ability to change the game on the basis of their speed alone.  That speed has helped them to a 7-1 record that includes wins against BC High, St. John's Prep, and Pinkerton (NH).  Add all that talent with the bitter taste left in their mouths after losing in the playoffs last year, and you have the makings of a very talented, very ticked-off team.  Here are their keys to victory:

• Paul Mroz must keep progressing.  The key to the Boxers returning to the mountain top is the same key to them winning this game: senior quarterback Paul Mroz.  Not many expected Mroz to win the quarterback battle coming into this season, but he has responded to the tune of 17 total touchdowns.  Despite his success, Mroz has made some mistakes that have cost his team dearly, none more so than his fumble that helped Xaverian end Brockton's bid at an undefeated season.  If Mroz can control the tempo and protect the football, there aren't many teams that will be able to slow them down.
• Their defensive discipline is their weakness.  As talented and deep as they are, Brockton has been burnt for four scores that spanned 30 yards or more.  To put that in perspective, Xaverian hasn't allowed any scores of 30-plus yards.  This can be attributed to Brockton's aggression.  They seem to have a tendency to over-pursue, thus allowing opposing running backs to find cut back lanes.  This could spell doom against a team with skill players as talented as CM.  
• If they get both backs going, it will be a long day for Catholic Memorial.  Trevon Offley is a monster of a back, but I think Brockton is most dangerous when they mix him and junior Joshua Brewster. Both backs are capable of the big play, but Brewster brings a little more wiggle than Offley, who is among the toughest backs to bring down.  Beating CM over the head with both these guys will not only wear down the Knights' first level, but it will lead to more opportunities for Mroz to go up top.  If the Brockton offensive line is able to play the way they did against Xaverian and BC High, it'll take a hell of an effort for the Knights to pull this one out.  

Brockton by the Numbers

- Record: 7-1 (1-0)

- Points Scored: 217 (27.1 ppg)

- Points Allowed: 125 (15.6 ppg)

- Margin of Victories: 95 (197-102)

- Margin of Defeats: 3 (23-20)

- Passing Touchdown Leader: Paul Mroz (11)

- Rushing Touchdown Leader: Trevon Offley (8)

- Receiving Touchdown Leader: Albert Louis-Jean (5)

- Total Touchdown Leader: Paul Mroz (17)

- Longest Win Streak: 5

- Longest Losing Streak: 1