Kramlich: It all. Comes down. To this!

Oh sorry, I got stuck in movie trailer mode. But in all seriousness, we have two local teams left, and only one will be moving on after this weekend. And it should be a doozy.

No. 1 Winthrop/Monmouth hosts No. 2 Lisbon in Class D South, to end the conference season the way it started. Only this time the game will be played in Winthrop, not Lisbon. And much, much more will be on the line than there was two months ago.

So let’s get to analyzing this matchup the Head-to-Head way. Does the regular-season matchup mean much going into this rematch? And who has more momentum going into this one?

Horton: I can’t remember the last time I was this excited about a high school football game. In movie parlance, I think it will be a blockbuster.

Considering how well Lisbon has played since its 31-12 loss to Winthrop/Monmouth, and how thoroughly the Greyhounds have defeated every opponent since, I don’t think the season-opening showdown means much. I don’t imagine the Ramblers are thinking that this week will be a breeze, or that they’re looking ahead to facing the Dexter-MCI winner in the Class D state championship game.

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After last week’s results, can either team claim momentum? They both seem to have it, which essentially means neither does, right? Correct me if I’m wrong.

Kramlich: They both had a week off to start the postseason, so last week’s wins would seem like the start to any momentum. Granted, Lisbon’s regular-season bye week came back in week three, so the Greyhounds were on a roll since then, leading up to their playoff bye. Winthrop/Monmouth had the unfortunate scheduling of two byes in a row, to end the regular season and start the postseason. The Ramblers’ playoff win was like getting back on the wagon.

I think what Lisbon losing in week one did was give the Greyhounds a hunger for redemption, which could be an advantage. (Or it could mean nothing). Not to mention the hunger of losing in the regional final each of the last two years. They probably feel like it’s their time now.

So if week one doesn’t mean much, what about one week ago? Whose playoff win looks bigger?

I would say Winthrop/Monmouth looked pretty dominant on defense, but Lisbon keeps showing new offensive wrinkles every week, and probably has more to show.

Horton: When two teams meet in the postseason, I typically think that losing the regular-season meeting is to a team’s advantage. But Winthrop/Monmouth is so stout defensively and so steady overall that I’m still leaning toward the season-opener meaning nothing.

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The Greyhounds’ regional semifinal win is probably a bit more impressive — they did, after all, beat defending state champion Oak Hill by 33 points — but I don’t think the Ramblers left anything wanting in their 30-point win over Dirigo.

What do you think about the timing of Lisbon’s big reveal of Lucas Francis’ quarterbacking skills? The Greyhounds no longer have the element of surprise, but, on the other hand, it might dilute Winthrop/Monmouth’s preparation this week. In that same vein, which coaching staff is more likely to have a trick up his sleeve this week?

Kramlich: Dick Mynahan has been doing this coaching thing a long time, and one would think his sleeves must be empty by now. But don’t discount him coming up with something new. He’s proven this year that you can teach an old Greyhound new tricks.

I don’t know who you’ll see at quarterback for Lisbon. Heck, maybe it’ll be 275-pound fullback Noah Francis. I just know it’ll be great theater watching the Ramblers’ defense try to stop whatever the Greyhounds come up with.


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