Attica (5-3) vs. Bath (7-1)
6 p.m. Sunday, at PAETEC Park
Not many people thought Attica stood a chance against East Rochester/Gananda last weekend in the opening round of the Class B playoffs.
After all, the Blue Devils have never had success in the playoffs.
But Jeff Cusmano and his coaching staff came up with the perfect plan to keep the ball out of Neil Dotterer's hands and shocked Section 5 with an 18-0 win over East Rochester/Gananda.
That game was the Andy Ruddock show as the senior pounded the ball 37 times for 164 yards and his Blue Devils easily won the time of possession battle.
Ruddock has carried the ball 141 times for 1,098 yards and 10 touchdowns this season and the GR all-star has defined the term featured back. He will get relief on occasion from Nate Berry, who has picked up 272 yards on 30 attempts. Luke Pariso (144 yards) and Dave Jennings (130) are both over 100 yards rushing as well.
The reason Ruddock had so many carries last week was because of the strategy to keep the ball away from the high-powered ER/Gananda passing offense.
The Blue Devils are facing a totally different type of squad this week.
Running back Andre McCloud has almost 4,000 career rushing yards and has so far gained 1,118 yards and scored 17 touchdowns this season. He gained 1,489 yards with an incredible 28 TDs as a junior.
A big-physical offensive line opens holes for a pair of other backs other than McCloud. Cody Hutcheson has 100 carries for 720 yards and nine scores with quarterback Jake Kuver adding 415 yards and three TDs.
Kuver is not a huge passer, but has hit on 31-of-64 attempts for 4-2 yards and three touchdowns. Two have gone to McCloud, who has seven receptions for 196 yards.
Oh yeah, and McCloud has also tossed a touchdown pass, going 1-for-1 passing for 62 yards. That halfback option play could be in the playbook.
Attica stresses defense first and has had two Defensive Players of the Week this season. Kevin Gallinger received the honor in Week 6 and Jennings won the award this past week. Gallinger has 54 tackles and Jennings has 48, with the squad being led by Pariso's 64 tackles and three fumble recoveries.
They will have their hands full this week.
Bath's defense is also pretty good as junior T.C. Carroll has 87 tackles and is second all-time in the school's history for career tackles.
That unit will obviously be looking to slow Ruddock so that quarterback Brandon Rollins is forced to beat them. Rollins has completed 57-of-89 attempts for 802 yards with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
His main target is Shawn Dupuis, who has caught 28 balls for 553 yards and eight TDs.
Bath is ranked ninth in the state for Class B while Attica has not received any votes.
