C.B.C. Cadets boast high-powered attack

The fact Christian Brothers College High School put up 63 points against Hickman in its season opener is a little alarming for Jefferson City head coach Ted LePage.

But he feels like the Jays will be prepared when they meet the Cadets at 7 p.m. tonight at Adkins Stadium.

"They're going to make some plays with their athletes," LePage said Wednesday before practice. "Our defensive coaches have all their research done and all of our players have confidence in the system that we're running."

Jefferson City's defense did its part in Week 1, reeling in five interceptions and limiting the McCluer North Stars to 172 yards of total offense in a 17-0 win.

LePage believes the Jays will be able to use last week's performance as a confidence booster against C.B.C.

"Good defensive football teams play consistently, but great football teams play with a swagger," LePage said. "I felt last week our kids were in that state of mind. It didn't matter where McCluer North had the ball. They were going to stop them."

Jefferson City will need to get some more stops against the Cadets.

C.B.C., ranked ninth in Class 6, compiled 400 yards - 215 on the ground and 185 through the air - on 48 plays while rolling to a 63-14 win against Hickman.

Cadets quarterback Blake Charlton was 8-of-13 for 122 yards and threw two touchdown passes to junior running back Lamar Anderson. Tre Bryant, a 5-foot-10, 190-pound running back added touchdowns on runs of 47 and 24 yards.

LePage said Bryant is one of C.B.C.'s biggest offensive threats.

"He's a very phenomenal back," LePage said. "He has extreme speed, he's a good size at 190 pounds. He's able to go inside-outside. When he has his hands on the ball, he really does a good job."

Joining Bryant in the backfield will be Calen Taylor, who is listed at 5-foot-7, 160 pounds.

"They're not afraid to give either one of them the ball," LePage said. "They're not afraid to throw it to them. Those two guys are electric players. They put them in a position where they can make plays, and we just have to rally around those two when they have their hands on the ball and make sure we're making good, sure tackles."

C.B.C.'s offensive line of left tackle Max Daurelle (6-3, 250), left guard Ty Feeney (6-3, 310), center Nino Schmitt (6-1, 270), right guard Jack Bertolucci (6-2, 260) and right tackle John Chamberlin (6-3, 290) are also expected to be a force.

"Their offensive line was very explosive coming off the ball," LePage said. "They were not afraid to bite. They were putting hands on the defensive linemen and driving them back. They were creating some big holes for (Bryant and Taylor).

"Our size is going to be an issue in this game because we're not that big. But our players will not stop. They haven't stopped yet and I'm really excited to watch them on Friday."

C.B.C. found a way to put up points in all areas last week - including a punt return for a touchdown and a blocked punt for another score.

"The special teams is what really stood out," LePage said. "That shows you that they're a complete football team that's really well-coached."

The Cadets were also effective on the defensive side of the ball.

Hickman quarterback Carter Nicoli carried the ball 12 times for 197 yards and two touchdowns. The Kewpies completed only 1-of-5 passes for 22 yards and ran 25 times for minus-9 yards outside of Nicoli.

"I think for us to have success in this game, we're going to have to find a way to change the field," LePage said. "If we don't score on a series, we need to be able to move the ball to the other side of the field and make longer fields and play a possession-type football game.

"We're going to really have to control the tempo of this game, because they're a team - they really don't have any secrets. They're going to come right at you."

Quintin Wynne, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound defensive end, and Mike Jones, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound outside linebacker will lead the charge for the Cadets.

"They make a really great contribution to their defense," LePage said. "Those two can cause some havoc with some stunts they run. They're both dynamic speed guys; really, really fast."

Matching up with defensive end Jermiez Booker (6-2, 230) during practice is expected to help the Jays.

"He's as fast as there is out there," LePage said. "We feel like going against Jermeiz everyday gives us a good look at what they're going to see. We'll make adjustments if we have to, but our players are just going to line up and play."

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Jefferson City Jays Football Podcast [2014 Week 2]