The dust has settled on another heartbreaking loss to Bethel, and the play-off bracket shook out in a way that not many would have imagined. Saint John’s gained the 4th seed and hosts the 5th seeded University of Redlands Bulldogs this Saturday at noon. The Bulldogs, co-champions from the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, carry an 8-1 record into the game. The Bulldogs last visited Clemens Stadium in the first round of the 2002 playoffs, where Saint John’s prevailed 31-24 in a hard-fought game. Play-off games are notoriously difficult to gauge because of the lack of common opponents. One never knows the level of competition that an opponent faces on a weekly basis (Monmouth was 10-0 in 2005, and the Johnnies Monkey-Stomped their way to a 62-3 victory). Head coach Mike Maynard is in his 20th season, and while that pales in comparison to Gagliardi’s tenure, his team looks to be a formidable opponent.
Offensively, the Bulldogs are very well balanced. This season, they’ve passed for 296 yards per game and rushed for an astounding 180 yards per game. Calling the signals for Redlands is junior quarterback Dan Selway. Selway has completed 151 of 254 passes for nearly 2200 yards thus far in 2007. He has also run the ball 53 times for 118 yards. Junior running back Zack Schafer handles the bulk of the ball carrying duties. He’s rushed 137 times for 605 yards. Junior Jeff Stewart and sophomore George Foreman IV (yes, he’s the son of that George Foreman) get the remainder of the carries. Selway’s favorite target is grad student Kyle Godfrey. Godfrey’s hauled in 53 receptions for 763 yards. Junior Brian Putnam and sophomore Sean Scott also see time at wide receiver, but Godfrey has more than twice as many catches as either of them. Junior tight end Tom Romaine has contributed 15 catches for 120 yards, and Schafer has 10 catches out of the backfield. Clearing the way for the Redlands offense are graduate student D.J. Tano, senior Charles Cochran, junior Jared Schwass, and sophomores Travis McBride and Rick Albrecht. They’re not overly big (average 262 pounds), but they have to be talented to anchor the running game that the Bulldogs possess.
Redlands quarterback Dan Selway sets up to pass behind offensive lineman Rick Albrecht.
Defensively, the Bulldogs have held opponents to 14.2 points per game and limited them to 1.9 yards per rush. They have an active and aggressive defensive line anchored by junior end Brock Arndt. Arndt, a 2006 all-West Region selection has recorded 45 tackles with 5 sacks in 2007. At the other end is junior Nick Burruel with 4.5 tackles for loss. Filling the middle are juniors Mitchell Crocco and Gavril Gabriel. Crocco has 4.5 sacks and Gabriel has 7 sacks this season. At the linebackers are senior Kris Richardson and juniors Mack Gordon and Edward Stamm. Richardson leads the team in tackles with 58, has 6.5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. Stamm and Gordon have 50 and 38 tackles, respectively. The defensive backfield is anchored by 2006 all-West Region player Brad Smith. As a senior safety, Smith has recorded 29 tackles and 2 interceptions. He is joined by fellow seniors Conor Drake and Jerel Garcia, each of whom have 2 interceptions, and sophomore Jared Fink. What stands out to me is the fact that they’ve made 25 sacks and 12 interceptions as a team—they’re going to be an aggressive defense.
Freshman Joe MacMillan kicks field goals, extra points, and kick-offs for Redlands. He is 5-11 on field goals, 38-40 on extra points, and averages 50 yards per kick-off. Selway handles the punting game for the Bulldogs. He’s only averaged 31 yards per punt, but having the starting quarterback as a punter always gives me nightmares.
As was the last time Redlands visited Collegeville, I am sure much will be made of the fact that the Bulldogs won’t be used to the Minnesota cold. The predicted high for Saturday in Collegeville is 39, while for Redlands it is 74. While they might be a bit chilly, I don’t for one minute think that the temperature will affect the way they play the game. Once the ball is snapped, the temperature is forgotten. I am really looking forward to this game. Playoffs are an exciting time because it gives everyone a chance to see a new team that will present new challenges. Have no doubt; Redlands will give the Johnnies all they can handle.
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