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Playoff Preview: Elida v. Bellevue @ Sandusky

Date: Saturday, November 3rd
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Strobel Field (Sandusky, Ohio)

Familiar playoff foes square off Saturday in Sandusky at Cedar Point Stadium at Strobel Field, where the Redmen will look for a little redemption against Elida following a 54-20 loss to the Bulldogs in the opening round in 2011.



That Elida team went on to the State Semi-Finals before dropping a 56-42 contest to Shawnee out of Springfield, Ohio.

For Bellevue quarterback, Jalen Santoro, a re-match with Elida provides a little extra incentive.

"Any time you play someone you lost to a year ago, it's natural instinct for revenge," said Santoro. "We want them bad because they stand in the way of our biggest goal."

While the Redmen were able to finish the regular season with a 9-1 record, Santoro said that there are some goals that his team accomplished and still others waiting for them.

"The only goal we didn't accomplish yet was winning the Northern Ohio League," said Santoro. "We were close to doing so, but we lost to a very good Tiffin Columbian team.

"We still have that one goal that we all dream of, making a deep playoff run and winning State."

The 2012 campaign has been a successful one on the field thus far for Bellevue.

In addition to Santoro's leadership on the field, the Redmen boast a solid group of players.

"Little does anyone know, our receiving corps is very, very good," Santoro said.

"You have Derek Smith at one wide-out who is faster and can make a play after the catch. Nick Raifsnider is a great slot-receiver who makes one or two people miss every time he touches the ball."

Santoro went on to mention the outstanding play of Dylan Fultz, Brendon Wagoner, Trevan Walker, Trent Stamm and tight-ends Bryan Zeller and Alex Manner.

While the list is complimentary of their receiving abilities, Santoro also is quick to point out their performance as blockers.

"Our receivers like to consider themselves honorary linemen," said Santoro. "They do a heck of a job blocking downfield."

In addition to the honorary linemen, the real hog mollies have also provided stellar play for Bellevue.

They include Kile Fox (LT), Tevin Coley (LG), Jake Strayer ©, Jeff Roesor (RG) and Austin Perry (RT).

Santoro had much to say about his linemen:

"(Fox) is a great leader and is another coach on the field," Santoro said. "He knows all the calls and is a powerful man to run behind because he is huge.

"(Fox) is the type of kid that gets ticked in practice when we're throwing a lot because he wants to be able to barrel through people on the run plays."

"(Coley) is a bit undersized, but he makes up for it with his speed," Santoro said. "He is strong for his size and tough as they come. As a senior captain he knows what it takes to be successful."

"(Strayer) is a bowling ball," said Santoro. "He has grown into his spot amazingly. He's progressed from the beginning of the season and is comfortable playing with us. He's one of the smarter linemen because playing center isn't always easy."

"(Roeser) is a goofy kid that cares a lot about his team," said Santoro. "He wants to be just as successful as the next kid. He has learned a lot this year."

"(Perry) is another huge kid to run behind," Santoro added. "He is notorious for a holding call in each game and its been that way since fifth grade. He has really grown into being a "butt-kicker" and he is irreplaceable."

To beat Elida, Santoro and the Redmen know they'll all need to bring their best game to the table.

"We have to be sure to come out with intensity and be ready to hit hard as well as be hit hard," Santoro said. "(Elida) has some good players, but so do we. We need to come out confident and ready for a battle. We can't take any plays off as every play is huge and every play is going to be a fight. Strategically, we need to be ready to pass the ball with success and defend the pass."

Elida, out of the Western Buckeye League, enters this season's battle boasting their league's stingiest defense, allowing just over 200 yards a game (roughly 50 rushing yards a game).

The Bulldogs enter with just two losses on the season. The first was to Kenton in week 6 and the other was to unbeaten Ottawa-Glandorf the following week.

Leading the defense for Elida is Chance Weitz, who has recovered four fumbles this season and Quentin Poling, who has recorded over 100 tackles.

Offensively, the Bulldogs are hurting at quarterback position as both quarterbacks who have played this season have suffered injuries.

During the season, Elida received over 800 yards passing from Clark Etzler and over 500 yards from Logan Alexandra.

The corps receivers are Brandon Stinson and Nick Pauff, each with over 35 receptions.

The Bulldogs' punter is Nickoli Sackinger and averaged nearly 38 yards a punt, leading the WBL.



Written by: Kyle Timmons on Sanduskycountylive.com
(Used with permission)