WINSTED >> The Gilbert/Northwestern football team (9-2) heads for the Class M Quarterfinals tonight at Western Connecticut State University with more wins than ever before in program history.
Gilbert/Northwestern’s linebacker Ryan Ott tackles Avon wide receiver Dylan Marquis earlier in the season. Ott and the Yellowjackets’ defense will have to contain Joel Barlow’s quarterback Jack Shaban and the Falcons option offense, for a chance to win.
Sean Meenaghan — Register Citizen
Nevertheless, the No. 6 Yellowjackets, qualifying for their second eight-team playoff berth since 2010, have a tough, tough assignment.
“(No. 3) Joel Barlow (9-2) is an excellent triple option team,” said GN coach Scott Salius. “I’ve heard people say they’re probably the best in the state with the option. Their quarterback (Jack Shaban) is an excellent runner. If you stop him, their fullback (Steve Miller) gets the ball or (Shaban) tosses a pitch.”
“Their line is incredibly fast off the ball. They’re disciplined and they adjust.”
“On defense, they’re fast off the line and very aggressive. Eleven guys head for the ball. If they have a flaw, it may be they’re overly aggressive.”
Torrington fans are likely to remember Shaban. The senior quarterback and his Falcons visited in mid-October, shredding the Red Raiders for eight touchdowns on the ground and one in the air on Shaban’s only pass of the night.
Shaban, just 5-feet-8, 180 pounds, is as quick as advertised. That night five of the touchdowns belonged to him, including scoring sprints of 51 and 80 yards.
Fullback Miller added another pair, including one for 35 yards.
Once they’re loose — especially Shaban — they’re gone.
“(Shaban’s) a football player,” said Barlow coach Rob Tynan. “He uses every ounce of his body.”
Torrington (3-8) was a young team this year, but the night was no fluke.
Shaban traveled 1,841 yards this season on the way to 32 touchdowns. Harry Wilson, a third Falcon option, is next with 864 yards and 11 TDs.
So, what’s a Yellowjacket to do?
Smile.
In spite of a 35-0 stinker two weeks ago against Class M No. 1 seed Valley Regional/Old Lyme, Gilbert/Northwestern did not get to tonight’s meeting by accident.
Senior running back Tony Ortiz has 1,673 yards and 17 touchdowns; senior quarterback John Lippincott adds another 13.
Senior Seth Dayton is another big option on the ground or receiving out of the backfield.
Passing. Torrington’s bright spots against the Falcons came in the air.
Just back from an injury, Raider sophomore quarterback Connor Finn threw for 25 and 59-yard pass plays for two of Torrington’s three scores.
Yellowjacket coach Salius looks hard at junior tight end Paxton Lewis-Franklin, 6-feet-3, 200 pounds.
“We haven’t used him enough,” says Salius. “We’ve done fine with Tony and Johnny and Seth Dayton, but, in this game, we can’t be one-dimensional. We have to establish our other options early.”
“I feel like I can step into the challenge,” said Lewis-Franklin. “I just have to catch the passes and let everything flow from there.”
On defense, linebackers can be a key to plugging the Falcon options.”
“It’s gonna be tough,” said middle linebacker Ryan Ott, who will shadow Shaban in the backfield at least some of the time.
“We have to stick with our assignments or it won’t work. We have to have a flawless game.”
Outside linebacker Adam Issa will share responsibility for Shaban.
“He makes the job a lot tougher,” said Issa, a senior along with Ott. “We’re going to have to play the best game we’ve ever played.”
“We play great sometimes; we play horrible sometimes,” said Coach Salius Monday night. “I hope the great team comes tomorrow.”
