[playtowin]

Preview: Somerset at Holy Cross
By Dan Clasgens | Managing Editor






After coming up with the biggest win in school history by beating NewCath, the defending champs, Holy Cross now must do it all over again as they welcome the Somerset Brian Jumpers with a berth in the Kentucky Class 2A state championship game on the line.

Holy Cross is clicking on all cylinders, but while they are in unchartered territory, Somerset is a perennial playoff power. The Indians proved last week that when the whistle blows they won’t be intimidated.

Let’s take a deeper look at the state semi-final matchup:

SOMERSET (9-4) AT HOLY CROSS (10-3)
Site: Holmes Stadium, Tom Ellis Field
Kickoff: Friday, November 25 – 7:30 p.m.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Both teams are paced by great quarterback-wide receiver-combos. Alex Lange provides a dual-threat under center for the Briar Jumpers. The senior has developed great chemistry with classmate wide receiver Storm Wilson, who also is a huge weapon on special teams as a returner. For Holy Cross signal caller Kyle Fuller and wideout Eric Walker that have drawn rave reviews. The duo has connected for 16 scores through the air. The efforts of senior Adam Kozerski don’t always show up in the box scores, but he has provided a great boost to the Indians on both sides of the ball playing both tight end and linebacker.

TEAM TRENDS: Holy Cross is making their first-ever appearance in the state semi-finals after claiming the first regional title in school history. Somerset has won three straight regional titles and 15 overall. The Briar Jumpers won six of their last seven contests. The Indians have been on the winning side of the ledger in eight of their last nine contests. Only Owensboro Catholic put more points on the board than in Class 2A than Holy Cross has this season. They average 40.8 points per game while Somerset puts 26.8 points per outing on the scoreboard.

HOLY CROSS’ KEY TO VICTORY: Defense has propelled the Indians to this point as they’ve pitched shutouts in three of their last four contests. Getting out of the gate fast will help force the issue. Somerset is making the long trip up to Covington for the meeting and could be sluggish early on. Holy Cross in now in uncharted waters and they can’t let their nerves get the best of them. Coming such a monumental win, the Indians need to avoid a letdown. Taking care of the football is a must. Keeping the Briar Jumpers off balanced on defense should help lead to big plays.

SOMERSET’S KEY TO VICTORY: The Brian Jumpers tallied 298 yards on the ground in last week’s regional title game and will be looking to get something going on the ground again up against the Indians. Getting the ground game should help open the passing a bit two. The offensive line needs to do a good job at getting out on the active Holy Cross linebackers to help the offense to get going. Turnovers played a large part in Somerset’s win over Lexington Christian last week. Winning that battle will really help their chances of picking up a win on the long road trip. The tough district schedule and grueling non-district grind coupled with their experience in big games should prove to be beneficial.

PREDICTION: HOLY CROSS 28, SOMERSET 24


Still pick somerset for the win