Well, Indian fans, we had to see that coming, no? Alter’s a juggernaut. Just the way it is.
I figured that Carlisle’s defense would break down. Without depth – this is the SWBL, land of “only 18 out of 50 will play” – Alter’s pounding attack will simply wear you down.
That’s what happened. 41-0 isn’t an accident, or a fluke. It’s a methodical dismantling.
But, to the Carlisle fans, players and coaches: don’t feel all that bad. Alter has done this before. They tend to absolutely butcher the teams they face in the early rounds. Example:
In Round 1 of the D-4, R-16 playoffs last year, Alter beat #3 (10-0) Brookville, 35-7
In Round 1 of the D-4, R-16 playoffs in 2007, Alter beat #7 (7-3) Oakwood, 33-0
In Round 2 of the D-3, R-10 playoffs in 2006, Alter beat #4 (10-2) Eaton, 49-0
In Round 1 of the D-3, R-10 playoffs in 2005, Alter beat #6 (8-2) Eaton, 42-13
See? Happens all the time. You’ll note how all of the bloody victims reside in the SWBL. (Sorry. I didn’t really cherry pick it that way, either.)
Carlisle had a wonderful year, and they should be very proud. But there was just no realistic way the Indians were advancing to the regional final.
Alter will face the #1 overall seed, Clinton-Massie, next week.
#2 Cincinnati Wyoming 14 #6 Monroe 7
I wondered if a low scoring game would benefit the Hornets, and it evidently did not. Monroe’ season ends at 10-3, a very, very respectable year. I don’t want to brag, but I knew they’d be good (from my SWBL Buckeye Division Preview):
“Monroe is a team that worries me if I’m Waynesville. They had an off year in 2008 for sure, but they play a tough schedule – which is both good and bad, for various reasons – so you can expect the Hornets to be tough, and to be disciplined.”
See? I told you I was a genius. I figured Monroe would be a classic fringy SWBL playoff team; they turned out to be quite the club, and likely the best overall team in the SWBL.
Which leads me to this: It’s awards time!
SWBL MVP:Austin Fudge, QB, Eaton
I’m totally against running backs getting MVP awards, so that’s why you don’t see Eaton’s Dalton Caudill or Waynesville’s Seth Millar. Running backs can’t function without an offensive line. Sorry.
Fudge is a classic dual-threat QB that led Eaton to a very fine season, which culminated in a close loss at the hands of Wyoming. Considering all the work Fudge does for the Eagle offense – and the quality of his performance – I have no qualms awarding him MVP.
SWBL Coach Of The Year: Bill Jewell, Carlisle
Carlisle had a magical season, and their defensive emergence led the way. Credit Jewell for not only accepting the much talked about Valley View Spartan transfers, but for properly using them. Excellent job.
Adam writes for his blog, www.adamadkins.net, and can be reached at adamdadkins@gmail.com
