Wide Open Offenses Power Reitz and Memorial
Friday, November 27, 2009 at 1:23AM 
I have been asked by many people (casual fans and hardcore fans alike) what makes Memorial and Reitz so great this season? There are many different angles I could answer that basic question: the quarterbacks, the defenses, the coaches, the lines, the tailbacks, receivers etc. etc.
I think one of the main reasons that the Tigers and Panthers are on the eve of State Championship Saturday is their dynamic offenses. Reitz and Memorial can spread defenses out so much that it is a nightmare to defend.
The Panthers have to have one of the largest playbooks in the state. I really think that offensive coordinator Cory Brunson could play a game without running the same play more than once or twice. I have really noticed it while calling the Panthers games on RTV25. My job is to setup the formation to give the viewers an idea on what the Panthers are working out of, and to perhaps give them something to look for before the snap.
I have literally seen thousands of football games in my life at all levels both in person and on TV. There are formations that Reitz runs that I have never seen. They will run 5 wide often with no tailback or tight end. They will put 4 receivers in a diamond formation and the other receiver on the other side. They can go with a tight flexbone set and run the option. I could go on and on.
It is a credit to the kids for knowing the amount of plays in Brunson and head coach Tony Lewis’ offense. Without question you have to have high football IQ to run the Panthers offense.
Memorial’s offense is similar but the Tigers have their own style. The Tigers rely on Grant Gribbins experience, reading the defense, and being very accurate. Gribbins has a great receiving corps that runs precise routes which makes it difficult to defend every receiver on every play. Gribbins can make all of the throws, and is just as effective outside the pocket. Tailback Ryan Hatler feeds off that passing success which in turn can setup play action.
For both teams, the offense is a constant chess match with plays setting up future plays in the game.
The advantage to spreading out defenses like that is they have to make an important decision. Does a defense bring a lot of pressure, or play back to defend the pass?
If a defense blitzes they force either Matt McIntosh or Gribbins to make a quick read, and possibly disrupt the play. The problem with that is two-fold. If a heavy blitz attacks that means there are less defenders back and it can create a big play or even a touchdown if the offense connects. Also, it can setup the potent screen plays that both Memorial and Reitz run so well. The screen allows the pressure to come on in and the then the pass goes over the top with the potential to break it long. Reitz has not had to run as many screens in the playoffs. Memorial however has scored many of its touchdowns off very effective screens.
If a defense plays back and does not blitz that can also play in the hands of Reitz and Memorial. First off, with the great offensive lines of both teams, it gives McIntosh and Gribbins plenty of time to go over reads and find the open man. For Reitz it also opens up running lanes for McIntosh. Those lanes can be good for 5-10 yards, or even more. For Memorial, that allows the inside handoff to Hatler to open up.
Few teams run offenses as dynamic as these in high school football. (Mater Dei did the same in their championship run in the Schiff years) The majority of high schools run tight formations and run the ball a great majority of the time. That gives Memorial and Reitz a distinct advantage because playoff opponents that have never seen the Tigers or Panthers have just 6 days to get ready for it.
Of course an offensive scheme like that does not mean instant success. These particular offenses would mean nothing without the players running it. You have to have some talented smart kids that know exactly what is expected of them on every play. That goes for all 11 players on the field. McIntosh and Gribbins are built perfectly for the systems, and they maximize the most out of each snap.
The best way to defend it is by having a ball control running offense that keeps chewing up yardage, first downs, and the clock. We saw that done by Heritage Hills against the Tigers…but Memorial still prevailed.
The Reitz defense really compliments the Panthers offense well because the “D” is consistently forcing their opponents to punt the ball and they get the ball right back to the high powered offense. Reitz is giving up just 8.6 points a game, and 10 times this season the Panthers defense has held opponents to single digits.
So in my opinion from watching and covering these teams so much is that both will keep the pressure on their opponents by trying to score on every single possession. That puts a bigger emphasis of taking care of the ball and not turning it over.
Memorial remembers all too well what happened last year. I think that will be a strong motivating factor to win the school’s first IHSAA football state championship.
As for Reitz, if the Panthers go up by 14-21 points…game over. The Panthers have consistently jumped out on their playoff opponents, and never looked back. Hopefully, they can do the same on Saturday.
The cliché is defense wins championships. I agree with that whole-heartedly. However, what separates Reitz and Memorial from the rest is those high powered spread offenses that hopefully will bring home two state titles back to Evansville on Saturday.
Reader Comments (3)
what are your picks for this game...how bout a score lance??
I admit I do not know much about the opponents, but because you asked...hmmm...
Reitz 38
Lowell 13
Memorial 28
West Lafayette 21
Lowell plays exactly the type of game that keeps an offense off the field: smashmouth I-formation with zone blocking. Lowell HB Grubbe has 2,200 yds this season, 5,700 yds career. Bruising running attack that will be challenging to defend. If Reitz can stop the run, it is game over. If not, it will be a back and forth game. Our defensive coaching staff has seen and stopped Lowell before, so I am hoping they found all their old notes from 2007.