Midland Lee vs Midland High [Archive] - 5A Texas Football Forum

Eagle Hombre

10-27-2005, 11:28 AM

Nice overview of this upcoming rivalry game -- If Midland Lee beats Midland High. Midland Lee and Abilene High will play the following week at Grande Stadium for the undisputed district crown. AHS has already clinched a playoff spot in DII --

P.S. as a sidenote the crowd is expected to be in north of 15K - great atmosphere --

The 'X' FactorLee's emerging pass offense against MHS' experienced defense will be key in game
Jack Marrion
Midland Reporter-Telegram
10/27/2005

By Jack Marrion

Sports Writer

In its last two dominating victories against its crosstown rival the Lee football team has flourished running the ball, amassing more than 900 yards on the ground.

The Bulldogs can expect the Rebels to try to get their rushing offense in gear when the teams meet again Friday at Grande Communications Stadium. But Lee's passing game could be the 'X' factor.

Several factors have contributed to the Rebels' becoming more balanced on offense this season compared to 2004, most notably experience and receiving talent. It's a trend the Bulldogs have noticed.

"They can get the ball to a lot of people and that makes it really tough to key on one guy," Midland High defensive coordinator Tim Anuskiewicz said. "I don't think we get away from what we've taught our kids to do. We've got to defend the whole field against those guys."

The Bulldogs will have the task of defending a Lee aerial attack that has produced 1,139 yards and nine touchdowns this season. The Rebels put up 167 yards last week against Odessa High, their best total since a 261-yard effort against Euless Trinity.

The Rebels' passing game last Friday included gains of 43 and 64 yards in the first four minutes of the game, both of which led to touchdowns.

"I think it's a very big point," Lee tight end Evan Frosch said. "We always use our passing game to set up our running game which has scored most of our points this year."

Frosch and Terrence McCoy, both 6-foot-4, are the Rebels' primary receiving targets and have combined for 818 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Jordan Lee will start at the other receiver spot against Midland High.

If Midland High can keep the Rebels from a productive day in the air it will put Lee's offense in a bind. When the Rebels pass for 140 yards or more in a game, which has occurred five times this season, they average 32.6 points and are 2-3 in those game. They have averaged 15 points in the other three games.

"I think our offense, if we're not balanced we're in trouble for the most part, especially when we play against good people," Lee coach Randy Quisenberry said. "We're not a one-dimensional team. We're not a Clovis East type or a complete passing machine."

Quisenberry said the Bulldogs' defense presents a challenge due to an effective pass rush and a fast secondary composed of cornerbacks Kyle Davis and Aaron Lenard, and safeties Anthony Sam and Nathan Sykes.

The Bulldogs feature a multitude of formations and coverages to keep opponents guessing. One tactic that stood out to Quisenberry was Midland High's corners frequently playing near the line of scrimmage, something the Rebels haven't seen much this season.

"That's because we like our strength on the corners," said Lenard, who added he likes how Midland High's speed matches up with Lee's offense. "We like being physical with the receivers, jamming them, messing up their timing."

Added Anuskiewicz: "We play a lot of man-to-man and I don't see us getting away from that a whole lot. Both of our corners have a lot of experience and we try to mix up their alignments and try to keep the offense off balance by doing that."

The Bulldogs own the district's best pass defense statistically, holding opponents to 100.5 yards per game despite giving up 228 to Abilene High. The Rebels aim to make a dent in that average Friday.

"We're just going to run our offense and hopefully make the right reads when we go against them," Lee quarterback Brandon Williamson said. "They're definitely a talented defense. We're just going to try to match up with them and do what we do best."