Plymouth North - Dennis-Yarmouth Preview

Plymouth North

     I've been quietly expecting Plymouth North's lack of offense to trip them up all year, but that hasn't happened.  They don't score a lot of points, but when your defense is as disciplined as they are, you don't need to.  They've beaten the likes of Methuen (8-1), Bridgewater-Raynham (7-2), Falmouth (5-3), and Barnstable (5-4).  What is more impressive is the fact that they held those four teams to a combined 39 points; Barnstable and Methuen are averaging 31 and 29 points per game, respectively.

     Despite their troubles, the Eagles offense is by no means stagnant.  Quarterback Cody Merrit has scored 11 times, and running backs Matt Walsh and Zach Zaniboni give the Eagles two powerful runners that help them control the clock.  Ball control will be paramount this week, as they'll be looking to slow a Dennis-Yarmouth offense that ranks sixth in Eastern Mass in points per game.

     I suspect many will have North as the favorite, and I don't blame them.  They have a good quarterback in Merrit, an offense that can control the tempo, and a devastating defense.  For them to wrap up the ACL, they'll need to take away the zone read and force D-Y quarterback Matt Montalto to become one dimensional, 

     

Plymouth North tid-bits

- The Eagles have held their opponents to single digits in all but three contests. 

- Imagine if Jason Sylva, the highly touted linebacker currently at Tabor Academy, had went to Plymouth North as opposed to Plymouth South.  Think he would have questioned the commitment of this bunch?  I doubt it.

- The Eagles have given up zero first quarter points this year.

- North has outscored opponents 112-28 in the first half.

- During their current five game win streak, the Plymouth North defense has allowed just 39 points; their margin of victory is 85.

Dennis-Yarmouth

     It's no secret the class of 2012 may produce the best quarterbacks the state has seen in a long time, with D.J. Crook, Nick LeSpada, Adam Doyle and John DiBiaso all getting serious looks from big time programs.  But there is a whole other batch of dynamic signal callers, and Dennis-Yarmouth Matt Montalto is at the head of that class.  Montalto has been able to win games with both his legs and arms, amassing 18 passing and 11 rushing touchdowns. 

     His biggest asset?  The Dolphin defense.  Since allowing 38 to Barnstable in Week 2, the they have been phenomenal, twice shutting teams out, and holding opponents to single digits four times.  Nate Crary, while best known for his work on the offensive line, is an absolute force in the trenches, and Victor Andrade has made a habit of totaling double digit tackles. 
     The key for the Dolphins will be avoiding three and outs.  By consistently picking up first downs, they can keep the ball control minded Eagle offense off the field, and better their chances of tiring the North defense.  The field position game will be crucial, as North has done a good job all season setting themselves up with short fields. 

Dennis-Yarmouth tid-bits

- Montalto has singe-handily outscored opponents in six of his teams nine games.
- During their current five game win streak, the Dolphins have beaten teams by a combined score of 199-40.  
- Dolphins receiver Dillon Hodson has racked up 11 receiving touchdowns this year.
- Only two teams have been able to hold D-Y under 35 points this year: Marshfield and Austin Prep.