D1 VISAA Semi-Final
#2 Bishop Ireton Cardinal (8-3) at #1 Benedictine Cadets (10-2)
Saturday 1PM -- November 8th in Richmond
How they Got Here
Benedictine defeated St Christopher's last weekned to advance to the State championship. They earned the #1 seed after defeating 3-time State champion Liberty Christian Academy eliminating the Bulldogs from the playoffs. Benedictine also defeated the D2 defending champion Bishop Sullivan earlier in the year. Bishop Ireton earned the #2 seed after finishing the regular season with a 7-3 record. They defeated St John Paul Jones the Great in the 1st round of the D1 playoffs. The Cardinals are looking for their first VISAA football title.
Prospect Watch
Duke commit Scott Bracey was used at several positions running for 506 yards with five touchdowns while passing for 690 yards and six touchdown passes. He also caught 13 passes for 220 yards and a score. Power back Ramon Jones led the team with 578 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns. Alex Williams is the backup running back and he ran for 308 yards. Bracey was one of three quarterbacks who often saw action in the same game. Bracey completed 60% of his passes. Jake Waldrop completed 50% of his passes while throwing for 597 yards and five touchdown passes. Henry Sullivan passed for 405 yards with three touchdown passes while completing 51% of his throws. All three quarterbacks found success when throwing to Donoven Tennyson who scored eight touchdowns while averaging 23.6 yards per catch on 32 receptions. Tennyson is also a dangerous kick returner.
Benedictine has physical defense that's complemented with speed on the corners. Linebacker Ellis Brooks led the cadets with 103 tackles with 10.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Senior Mikey McDonald had 15.5 tackles for loss among his 70 tackles. He led Benedictine with 5.5 sacks. Thomas Dunn led forced three fumbles and finished with 65 tackles and 12 tackles for loss. Ian Williams had a very good year from the defensive tackle position recording 34 tackles and two sacks. Defensive back K'Jon Coley is the best cover corner and he finished with 37 tackles.
Bishop Ireton has a balanced attack featuring a strong passing attack and a solid running game. Senior quarterback Joe Dickinson completed 61 percent of his passes for 2312 yards and 24 touchdowns. Receiver Andrew Smith has 950 yards receiving on 48 receptions including 14 touchdowns. Sam Smith is not far behind with 38 receptions. Running back Perris Jones was the teams workhorse gaining 660 yards on 133 carries with six touchdowns.
Linebacker John Ammon is a strong candidate for the Vareps All-State team after leading Bishop Ireton with 106 tackles and three interceptions. Nigel Bullard had 82 stops including seven tackles for loss and five sacks. Trey Lovisone had 51 tackles, four sacks, and 12 quarterback hurries. The Cardinals defensive secondary is top notched with junior Corey Johnson who has three interceptions and nine pass breakups. Chandler Wilder (5 picks) Alex Duke (2 picks, nine breakups) cover ground as well.
Last Meeting
Benedictine defeated Bishop Ireton 29-26 on the road earlier in the season. The Cadets led by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and held off the Cardinals in the final minutes. Ramon Jones led the Cadets with 211 yards rushing. Benedictine held Bishop Ireton to -4 yards rushing on 30 carries. Cardinal quarterback Joe Dickinson was 29 of 41 passing for 306 yards. the Bishop Ireton defense picked off three Benedictine passes and held the Cadets to only 98 yards passing.
Prediction
The previous matchup came down to the Cadets running attack against the Cardinals passing game. Benedictine totally shut down the run in the prior game and they will try to do the same on Saturday. The weather probably favors the Cadets and they will have the home field advantage playing at the Abbey. I like the Cadets to win their first title since winning back-to-back titles in 2000-2001.
This post was edited on 11/14 9:59 AM by wgarlick
#2 Bishop Ireton Cardinal (8-3) at #1 Benedictine Cadets (10-2)
Saturday 1PM -- November 8th in Richmond
How they Got Here
Benedictine defeated St Christopher's last weekned to advance to the State championship. They earned the #1 seed after defeating 3-time State champion Liberty Christian Academy eliminating the Bulldogs from the playoffs. Benedictine also defeated the D2 defending champion Bishop Sullivan earlier in the year. Bishop Ireton earned the #2 seed after finishing the regular season with a 7-3 record. They defeated St John Paul Jones the Great in the 1st round of the D1 playoffs. The Cardinals are looking for their first VISAA football title.
Prospect Watch
Duke commit Scott Bracey was used at several positions running for 506 yards with five touchdowns while passing for 690 yards and six touchdown passes. He also caught 13 passes for 220 yards and a score. Power back Ramon Jones led the team with 578 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns. Alex Williams is the backup running back and he ran for 308 yards. Bracey was one of three quarterbacks who often saw action in the same game. Bracey completed 60% of his passes. Jake Waldrop completed 50% of his passes while throwing for 597 yards and five touchdown passes. Henry Sullivan passed for 405 yards with three touchdown passes while completing 51% of his throws. All three quarterbacks found success when throwing to Donoven Tennyson who scored eight touchdowns while averaging 23.6 yards per catch on 32 receptions. Tennyson is also a dangerous kick returner.
Benedictine has physical defense that's complemented with speed on the corners. Linebacker Ellis Brooks led the cadets with 103 tackles with 10.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Senior Mikey McDonald had 15.5 tackles for loss among his 70 tackles. He led Benedictine with 5.5 sacks. Thomas Dunn led forced three fumbles and finished with 65 tackles and 12 tackles for loss. Ian Williams had a very good year from the defensive tackle position recording 34 tackles and two sacks. Defensive back K'Jon Coley is the best cover corner and he finished with 37 tackles.
Bishop Ireton has a balanced attack featuring a strong passing attack and a solid running game. Senior quarterback Joe Dickinson completed 61 percent of his passes for 2312 yards and 24 touchdowns. Receiver Andrew Smith has 950 yards receiving on 48 receptions including 14 touchdowns. Sam Smith is not far behind with 38 receptions. Running back Perris Jones was the teams workhorse gaining 660 yards on 133 carries with six touchdowns.
Linebacker John Ammon is a strong candidate for the Vareps All-State team after leading Bishop Ireton with 106 tackles and three interceptions. Nigel Bullard had 82 stops including seven tackles for loss and five sacks. Trey Lovisone had 51 tackles, four sacks, and 12 quarterback hurries. The Cardinals defensive secondary is top notched with junior Corey Johnson who has three interceptions and nine pass breakups. Chandler Wilder (5 picks) Alex Duke (2 picks, nine breakups) cover ground as well.
Last Meeting
Benedictine defeated Bishop Ireton 29-26 on the road earlier in the season. The Cadets led by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and held off the Cardinals in the final minutes. Ramon Jones led the Cadets with 211 yards rushing. Benedictine held Bishop Ireton to -4 yards rushing on 30 carries. Cardinal quarterback Joe Dickinson was 29 of 41 passing for 306 yards. the Bishop Ireton defense picked off three Benedictine passes and held the Cadets to only 98 yards passing.
Prediction
The previous matchup came down to the Cadets running attack against the Cardinals passing game. Benedictine totally shut down the run in the prior game and they will try to do the same on Saturday. The weather probably favors the Cadets and they will have the home field advantage playing at the Abbey. I like the Cadets to win their first title since winning back-to-back titles in 2000-2001.
This post was edited on 11/14 9:59 AM by wgarlick
