Know The Opponent: Bradley Central
Staff Photo by Melanie Fritz
It is homecoming in Dumplin Valley tonight, but don’t tell that to Bradley Central. They come into the contest 3-1 with their lone loss of the season a 29-24 decision to Science Hill. Ranked #10 this week in 6A, this will be the 3rd week in a row Jefferson County has faced a ranked opponent.
Bradley Central on Offense:
Bradley Central will run out of the shotgun formation and look really similar to what Jefferson County will run on the offensive side. While their offense isn’t that of Maryville, they are pretty good. Cole Copeland is the signal caller and as he goes so does this offense. They will run the QB option with him keeping it more so than most quarterbacks. They also like to throw the seam route with their slot receiver and tight ends.
Bradley Central on Defense:
They will run a 3-4 defense with a 4-3 look on most plays. Bradley Central is probably the most aggressive defense the Patriots have played this season. I said the most aggressive, not the most talented. They are a very tough defense. They swarm to the football and are a very solid tackling team. Expect Jefferson County to be able to move the ball through the air, as in film they had some holes in the secondary.
Prediction:
Bradley Central is a very good football team, not Maryville or MoWest, but good. The key to the game is the containment of Cole Copeland. If Jefferson County can do that, the Patriots win. Jefferson County wins this on homecoming, 27-21
