Preps

Football: Scouting Report

To help break down each week's biggest game, the Times will poll two opposing players from around the county. This week, for Plant-Hillsborough, we asked Armwood defensive end Sergio Joyner to share his insight on the Panthers offense and Alonso quarterback Geno Quintana to dish on the Terriers' defense.

By JOE SMITH
Published October 12, 2007

Sergio Joyner, Sr., Armwood

Joyner, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound defensive end being recruited by schools such as Middle Tennessee and Troy, starts for a defense that allows four points a game. "I'm all about technique," said Joyner, one of the area's quickest linemen. "I don't look for the big hit. The big hit will come."

On Plant (three things to watch)

1. QB Aaron Murray has tremendous pocket presence, even when there's pressure. "He just steps up and keeps his composure. Usually, a QB doesn't do that until they're in college."

2. They have a smart group of receivers. "They run good routes and they're always where they're supposed to be. Because of that, I knew I had to get to (Murray) faster."

3. The Panthers wear opponents down. "They're in the (shotgun) most of the time. That can make a defensive line tired."

Geno Quintana , Sr., Alonso

Quintana, a 6-foot, 183-pound senior, has been steady as a first-year starter for the Ravens. Their offense isn't flashy, but doesn't need to be with a stellar defense: "Geno has been doing a great job, holding everything together," coach Mike Heldt said.

On Hillsborough (three things to watch)

1. Their secondary is sneaky. "They disguise their coverages. They'll come up and try to fool with you like they're going to press - then they'll pop back into a Cover 3."

2. They blitz their LBs. "They run a 3-5-3, and blitz a lot. They usually come through the A or B gap, mostly up the middle."

3. They're vulnerable in the flat. "Their weakness is in the flats. All you have to do is pass where they're blitzing from."

[Last modified October 11, 2007, 21:23:40]