Catholic Memorial Breakdown

     Don't let last weeks loss fool you; Catholic Memorial is one of the most talented teams in the state.  They sport a balanced offensive attack that features our #2 ranked quarterback (AJ Doyle), as well as two players we have in the top five at their respective positions (Armani Reeves and William Earl).  Add in a solid offensive line, and you've got a team that is more than capable of running the table.

• William Earl can carry this team.  Junior quarterback AJ Doyle is a Division 1 prospect, and Armani Reeves and Camren Williams are FBS talents.  But William Earl is the key to me.  The Knights have to get him going in order to open up their down field attack, which is where they are most dangerous.  Getting him his touches early, regardless of the result, will almost surely cause the Brockton defense to creep up; that means getting Reeves and Williams in single coverage situations.  While they won't win every battle against a secondary as talented as Brockton, they'll surely be able to make their fair share of plays.  
• To beat Brockton, you have to use their aggression against them.  Speed can be the single most devastating aspect a team can have.  Traditionally, it has been what separates the Boxers from the rest of the pack.  But it can also be their Achilles heel.  This team in particular is prone to giving up the big play due to their aggression.  If they think they know the play, they fly to the the spot.  Because they are so fast, when they are fooled on play-action fakes and misdirection plays, they often find themselves way out of position.  If CM can set up the Brockton defense, they will earn themselves a few easy scores. 
• Arm tackles will turn this game into a blown out.  I'm not one of the people who believe the Knights have a weak defense.  Their problem isn't talent; its execution.  The kiss of death in their loss to Longmeadow, as has been the case for much of the year, was their inability to wrap up ball carriers.  St. John's Prep's Tyler Coppola had a number of broken tackles last week, and while he is a very good back, he is not in the same class as Brockton's Trevon Offley.  For CM to win this game, they need to make sure they chest-up Offley and limit his ability to pick up second-effort yards.

 Catholic Memorial By the Numbers

- Record: 5-2 (1-1)

- Points Scored: 204 (29.1 ppg)

- Points Allowed: 142 (20.3 ppg)

- Margin of Victories: 76 (149-73)

- Margin of Defeats: 14 (69-55)

- Passing Touchdown Leader: AJ Doyle (12)

- Rushing Touchdown Leader: William Earl: (5)

- Receiving Touchdown Leader: Armani Reeves (7)

- Total Touchdown Leader: AJ Doyle (14)

- Longest Win Streak: 4

- Longest Losing Streak: 1