Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

Mascoutah doesn't mind No. 16 seed in grid playoffs

Mascoutah doesn't mind the long odds that accompany a No. 16 seed.

The Indians (5-4), in the playoffs for the fifth straight season and the first time under rookie head coach Scott Battas, will travel to Rochester to face the top-seeded Rockets (9-0) at 7 p.m. today in a first-round game of the Class 4A playoffs.

"The way I approached it all week is, 'Yeah, they're a good high school football team,'" Battas said. "But we are, too. We're going to have to play our best game of the year, but I think we're ready to do that. What a great opportunity."

Rochester features the talents of quarterback Sean Robinson, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound senior who has signed with Purdue. Robinson has completed 80-of-140 passes for 1,380 yards and 21 touchdowns --with just three interceptions. He's also a threat running the ball, racking up 733 yards and 12 TDs.

"They play hard and are very well-coached," Battas said. "They run a spread offense. They don't throw it 40 times a game, but they throw it enough. Their quarterback is pretty versatile. Obviously, going to Purdue, he's a skilled player. But I feel our four or five best players match up with their best four or five."

The Rockets' potent backfield is completed by 5-10, 180-pound junior Colten Glazebrook (514 yards, seven TDs) and diminutive senior Chris Haire (517 yards, four TDs), who stands 5-5 and weighs 160. Senior Matt Bane (6-3, 180) is Rochester's top receiver with 32 catches for 700 yards and 12 TDs.

Rochester, ranked first in the state in Class 4A, averages about 49 points a game. On defense, junior linebacker Dan Camp has 54 tackles, including eight for losses, and has been credited with 3 1/2 sacks.

The Indians will give Rochester a heavy dose of Tennessee recruit Matt Milton. The 6-2, 225-pound Milton could prove to be the best player on the muddy turf in Rochester, with 1,127 yards rushing and 15 TDs to go with 14 catches for 232 yards and two TDs.

"We're going to put the ball in his hands and ask him to win games," Battas said. "He brings so much to the table. He gives us the ability to win these types of games."

Junior Rodney Montgomery is another threat for Mascoutah. Montgomery has rushed for 792 yards and eight TDs.

Defensively, senior linebacker Logan Wager has a team-high 92 tackles. Junior tackle Cody Brooks leads the Indians with four sacks.

"They're fired up," Battas said of his players. "They feel like nobody is giving them a chance. We've got a lot of seniors on this team that aren't ready to play their last football game.

"Our kids are ready to play. They feel like it's a game they can win. I feel the same way. I'll take our kids into battle with anyone."