First-year CD East head coach Aaron Blanding saw a memorable season for his Panthers come to a dramatic end with a 21-20 loss to Dallastown in the District 3-AAAA quarterfinals.
CD East also played Commonwealth Division resident Cumberland Valley in Week 4. Well, the Wildcats and Eagles square off Friday night at Chapman Field with a berth in the District 3-AAAA title game on the line.
So we asked the coach a few questions about this match up Friday night at 7 p.m.
When Cumberland Valley has the ball, what do you see as an advantage for the Eagles?
Blanding: The way Cumberland Valley controls the clock by running the ball and keeping the chains moving is big for them. I definitely think it’s more of an advantage for CV the more they have the ball.
Same question for Dallastown, when the Wildcats have the ball what do you see as an advantage for them?
Blanding: Dallastown is athletic. Malik Lewis can make some plays. The quarterback really impressed me getting out of the pocket. I know Dallastown typically likes to run the ball, but against us they showed a different look.
Defensively, do you see one team or the other having an edge and what is that edge?
Blanding: Dallastown plays a more aggressive style of defense. With CV controlling the clock so much the defense doesn’t spend a whole lot of time on the field. Dallastown send blitzes from all over the field and gets after it. That might cause some problems for Cumberland Valley up front.
Can Malik Lewis have that much of an impact on this game to get Dallastown to the final?
Blanding: Not to take away from anything from the other guys, but Lewis has the ability to get behind guys. Cumberland Valley will have to pay attention to him. And that might open up some room for those other guys.
Are there one or two intangibles you see in this match up you think is favorable for one team or the other?
Blanding: I think the experience of Cumberland Valley is big. They have been doing what they do for so long. Dallastown is all over the board what they like to do. Dallastown likes to run the ball, but they can throw it a little. Cumberland Valley knows exactly what it wants to do. And this isn’t new for them.
What are you looking as the key factors in this match up?
Blanding: Cumberland Valley is more disciplined up front. With the lead CV is dangerous and they force you to do some things you might not want to do. Dallastown’s defense is quicker. CV is a more position-oriented defense. Dallastown flies around so much, if they are on the field a long time fatigue could become a factor because they fly around so much.
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