Game photos click here.
In recent years, many high school football coaches have implemented spread or air raid offenses.
In this style of offensive football, the one Cardinal has implemented this season, it is quite common to have a five-wide formation, with a high percentage of plays going through the air.
In direct contrast to this is a traditional type of run heavy offense, often referred to now as smash-mouth football.
As legendary Ohio State Football Coach Woody Hayes used to say to describe this type of offense, it is “three yards and a cloud of dust.”
On Oct. 25, the Berkshire Badgers used smash-mouth football to defeat the Chagrin Falls Tigers, 13-6.
In fact, in scoring 13 first-half points, the Badgers did not throw a pass until less than two minutes before halftime.
The Badgers relied heavily on senior standout running back Justin Phillips, as he got the ball on 45 percent of the Badgers plays in the first half.
Afterwards, Phillips talked about the importance of a powerful offensive line in leading a smash-mouth offense.
“It was a hard fought game,” he said. “We knew this was going to be a blue collar football game, and we were just going to get down hill and do our job.
“Five yards a carry wins football games, and that’s what the mentality is upfront. I look at my linemen and see a whole bunch of hungry dudes. They’re getting the yards for me — it’s not me, it’s them.”
Quarterback Sam Barcikoski also emphasized how important the offensive line was in the Badgers success against the Tigers.
“We knew we were going to go into the heavy run,” he said, “and our linemen, all credit to them. They made holes, and our running backs ran straight through them.
“It was smash-mouth football. Our linemen hit them in the mouth, and our running backs got the yards that we needed, and we just kept eating up the clock, and that’s all you can ask for.”
Playing smash-mouth football from the start, the Badgers got on the scoreboard first when Barcikoski scored on a two-yard touchdown run with 6:12 left in the first quarter. After Roman Percic converted the extra point, the Badgers led 7-0.
The Badgers then added two additional field goals by Percic to take a 13-0 lead.
Percic connected on his first field goal from 39 yards with 1:12 left in the first quarter.
He then gave the Badgers a 13-point lead when he made his second field goal of the game from 25 yards out with 5:36 left in the second quarter.
After the game, Percic talked about converting the first half field goals.
“We practice them all the time,” he said. “I practice a lot within the 30-yard line. My coach knew what I was good at, and he used me to the best of his ability.”
Trailing 13-0, the Tigers scored six points late in the second quarter on a 22-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jacob Kay to wide receiver Spencer Kaas.
In the second half, neither team scored as both teams played stout defense.
In only allowing six points for the game, the Badgers defense made it quite difficult for the Tigers to pick up yards on the ground. In fact, for the contest the Badgers held the Tigers to negative rushing yardage.
Offensively, Berkshire was able to grind out 194 yards on the ground. Leading the Badgers ground game was Phillips, who rushed for 111 yards. In addition, Ayden Wiser gained 51 yards on the ground, while Barcikoski added 17 yards and Oliver Miller gained 20 yards.
The Badgers did not gain any passing yards.
Leading Chagrin Falls’ passing game was quarterback Jacob Kay, who was 9 for 23 for 126 yards and a touchdown. Leading the receivers was Drew Zelch, who caught three passes for 30 yards. Also hauling in passes for the Tigers were Spencer Kaas (2-32, TD), Jack Medhurst (1-34), Jack Gellin (1-12), Jake McClintock (1-12) and Ryan Curtiss (1-6).
The Badgers and Tigers now have an opportunity for a week 11 rematch, as they will each other again Nov. 1 in the first round of the playoffs.
