Sacred Heart Prep hoping to keep the Mariners at bay

Aptos scored a combined 111 points in its two playoff wins, 62-37 over Terra Nova and 49-6 over Palma. Sacred Heart Prep won a couple of much more defensive-oriented contests, 13-7 over St. Ignatius and 19-7 over Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Aptos is the top scoring team in the CCS at 46.3 points per game. Sacred Heart Prep is allowing just 12.5 points per game.

“It should be a great game, I think the most intriguing game of the whole weekend,’’ said Aragon coach Steve Sell, whose team has played both Aptos and SHP this season. “Both teams execute extremely well, tackle extremely well. But I’ll tell you, I don’t think there’s a team in the entire CCS playing offense as well as Aptos is right now. Sacred Heart Prep is going to have to play the defensive game of their lives to slow down Aptos.’’

Sacred Heart Prep coach Mark Grieb acknowledges how well his defense has been playing and the importance of continuing to do so against Aptos, but also pointed out the role his offense needs to play.

“Our defense rose to the occasion last week, holding (Sacred Heart Cathedral) to seven points,’’ Grieb said. “We also had a phenomenal effort on offense. We started the game with an eight-minute drive. That really established the tone of the game. We have to bring that same mentality to have a chance against Aptos.’’

In other words, control the ball and clock with your offense and minimize the amount of time your defense spends on the field contending with the Aptos offense.

Aptos runs the Wing-T, a very common high school offense. But the way Aptos runs it puts the Mariners in another category altogether. Coach Randy Blankenship is recognized as one of the top Wing-T authorities in the nation.

“That’s as good a Wing-T offense as I’ve seen in a long time,’’ said Terra Nova coach Tim Adams, another coach whose team played both SHP and Aptos this season. “How do you replicate it in practice? I think it will be a competitive game. My heart will be with Sacred Heart Prep. I think Mark is a heck of a coach and a great guy. But I think any way you look at it Sacred Heart Prep has got to be considered the underdog.’’

And that’s despite Aptos (10-2) entering the playoffs as the No. 5 seed and Sacred Heart Prep (11-1) as the No. 2 seed. But that 49-6 demolition Aptos pinned on No. 1 Palma last week opened a lot of eyes.

Aptos typically spreads the ball to numerous ball carriers. Marcos Reyes has been the team leader this season with 1,168 regular-season yards rushing.

“He’s a tough, physical player and also a very good inside linebacker,’’ Grieb said. “What strikes you is how disciplined they are and how their kids play low and quick off the ball.’’

The Mariners average 44 carries and only seven pass attempts per game.

Tevita Moimoi leads Sacred Heart Prep with 904 yards rushing, and like Reyes also excels as a linebacker on defense. And in SHP’s fly sweep offense more than one ball carrier is utilized. Fullback John Willard has rushed for 579 yards and flyback Tommy Barnds for 508 yards this season.

Sophomore quarterback Raymond Price III isn’t asked to throw a lot, but has progressed in his role as a game manager with seven touchdown passes as opposed to just two interceptions.