D6 Level 3: Algoma vs. Racine Lutheran

Not a match up between two top seeded teams, but still looks like one of the more evenly match ups for all of Level 3. Both teams come in with two very good running backs, Racine Lutheran with Oretel (leading the state in rushing yards according to Wissports) and Algoma with Sid Geldmeyer (almost 500 yards rushing in the first two playoff games). On offense, Algoma is lead by senior quarter Craig Kirchman, who they will run a few options with. Only one standout reciever in Jesse Kroll. I think Algoma has the strength of schedule advantage in having played Kewaunee, Brillion, Roncalli, and Manitowoc Lutheran, although Racine Lutheran only lost to Catholic Central by a TD. Both teams have played Manitowoc Luthern, with Algoma beating them 48-18 and Racine Lutheran beating them 27-19. I think it will come down to which running back has the bigger game, and if Kirchman can hit some completions to Kroll to keep Racine Lutheran from stacking the box on Geldmeyer.

I think Algoma's season continues after this game. They are a good team and have a good QB in Kirchman, a good RB in Geldmeyer, n a good Receiver in Kroll. Their Defense is a fast team that can swarm to the ball fast. I see Algoma winning this game in another upset.
Racine Lutheran-20
Algoma-34

I was priveleged to watch the Algoma Seawolves from the friendly confines of my squad a few weeks back, solid team all the way around.

Racine Lutheran is kind of a mysterious team...very Jekyll-and-Hyde.

Offensively, they usually get theirs, but defensively they can be very good or very bad. If you can pass, you can have pretty good success against them.

This will probably be a close one, but Mr. Oertel will make the big play when it matters most.

As far as Algoma goes, I don't know much about them but their first two playoff opponents weren't exactly known for their defensive prowess.

2009 WAC Football Highlights (Check 'Em Out...Click on 'Favorites')

DB


Racine Lutheran is kind of a mysterious team...very Jekyll-and-Hyde.

Offensively, they usually get theirs, but defensively they can be very good or very bad. If you can pass, you can have pretty good success against them.

This will probably be a close one, but Mr. Oertel will make the big play when it matters most.

As far as Algoma goes, I don't know much about them but their first two playoff opponents weren't exactly known for their defensive prowess.

DB,
do you happen to know how big/phisical Racie Lutheran's line is? I've only gotten to see Algoma in person one game this year against Kewaunee and Kewaunee won because they completely controlled the line of scrimmage. Algoma is very much a run first team although they have a very athletic quarterback in Kirchman, what will hurt them is if they are unable to control the line of scrimmage on both sides for their running game to work and to atleast hold Oretel to a managable game.

onpackerland

DB


Racine Lutheran is kind of a mysterious team...very Jekyll-and-Hyde.

Offensively, they usually get theirs, but defensively they can be very good or very bad. If you can pass, you can have pretty good success against them.

This will probably be a close one, but Mr. Oertel will make the big play when it matters most.

As far as Algoma goes, I don't know much about them but their first two playoff opponents weren't exactly known for their defensive prowess.

DB,
do you happen to know how big/phisical Racie Lutheran's line is? I've only gotten to see Algoma in person one game this year against Kewaunee and Kewaunee won because they completely controlled the line of scrimmage. Algoma is very much a run first team although they have a very athletic quarterback in Kirchman, what will hurt them is if they are unable to control the line of scrimmage on both sides for their running game to work and to atleast hold Oretel to a managable game.

Racine Lutheran's line has decent size, most are over 210, with Rosenberg at 245 being the biggest.

However, the two times I've seen over the last two years, I did not come away with the feeling that they were overly physical in any sense of the word. They're not bad, but they don't really dominate. At times, Oertel has to really earn his yards, and teams can move the ball on them defensively, like I said, they can be very Jekyll-and-Hyde.

It's probably too late, but if Algoma could study film from RaLu's game against Martin Luther from Week 3 (the one time I saw them this year), they could learn a few things. I remember being surprised at how much ML (who'd been kind of a bottom-dweller the last two seasons) dominated on both sides of the ball.

2009 WAC Football Highlights (Check 'Em Out...Click on 'Favorites')

onpackerland

DB


Racine Lutheran is kind of a mysterious team...very Jekyll-and-Hyde.

Offensively, they usually get theirs, but defensively they can be very good or very bad. If you can pass, you can have pretty good success against them.

This will probably be a close one, but Mr. Oertel will make the big play when it matters most.

As far as Algoma goes, I don't know much about them but their first two playoff opponents weren't exactly known for their defensive prowess.

DB,
do you happen to know how big/phisical Racie Lutheran's line is? I've only gotten to see Algoma in person one game this year against Kewaunee and Kewaunee won because they completely controlled the line of scrimmage. Algoma is very much a run first team although they have a very athletic quarterback in Kirchman, what will hurt them is if they are unable to control the line of scrimmage on both sides for their running game to work and to atleast hold Oretel to a managable game.

 
Keep in mind, Algoma put up a ton of rushing yards in the last two games.  that doesnt happen without outstanding play of the offensive line.