Photo by Jason Palmer
Tipton running back Josh Torres sprints up the sidelines during their playoff game Friday night. Torres has 1,112 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. Jason Palmer/ SPECIAL TO THE RECORD NEWS
It's a rematch, not a mismatch, for the No. 1 Tipton Tigers tonight as they take on Sharon Mutual.
The Class C semifinal will kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford.
The Tigers won last year's playoff matchup, 48-30. Tipton coach Jim Kerbo said the Trojans (11-1) are different in 2012, but he expects another good game.
"They changed defensive since last year, they play a defense very similar to what we play," Kerbo said. "We'll prepare for all of it.
"It's just how we react against this big physical bunch."
Tipton (12-0) has 11 shutouts and has allowed just eight points in 12 games. Those numbers will be put to the test tonight by Sharon-Mutual quarterback Cooper Free.
Free has passed for 1,432 yards and rushed for 1,389. He has 33 rushing touchdowns and 16 more TDs with his arm. His No. 1 target is Cody Campbell (996 yards, 11 TDs).
"We have to play assignment sound and we have to tackle, not allow yards after contact," Kerbo said.
Senior linebacker Kennon White leads the Tipton defense with 72 tackles. He has 12 in each playoff game. He makes most of the defensive calls while Gerald White (47 tackles, three interceptions) makes the reads in the secondary.
"It looks like a pretty tough challenge in the semis," Kerbo said. "They are huge, 270 on both sides of the line. We've played teams pretty big, but not this big. It'll be very physical."
Teacher of the Year Nominees
American Idol Season 12 Champion
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 0
Be the first to post a comment!
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.