Vandercook to host Lumen in opening round of state playoffs Friday night
By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Jackson – One program has a history of this, has made its name in the 10th week of the football season, and beyond.
The other hasn’t been to this stage in nearly two decades.
But on Friday night, the past of Lumen Christi and Vandercook Lake will be just that — the past.
On Friday night, the Titans (6-3) make the short trip to take on Vandercook (8-1) with a certain respect of what it’s taken to get to this point, but with all focus on reaching the next.
“This is a new season. This is where these kids can build their memories, one way or the other,” Lumen coach Herb Brogan said of his 2015 squad, the 18th in a row to make the postseason. “It’s in their lap now as to what they want to create in regards to their own legacy.”
“All we talked to our guys about was the opportunity we have right now,” said Vandercook coach Steve Wolvin, guiding the Jayhawks to the playoffs for the first time since 1996, the same year Lumen won a Class B state title. “We can make a statement for the conference and the other county teams who wanted this opportunity but never got it. We have to execute. And if we play defense the way we are capable, we’re going to make a game of it.”
Wolvin’s point was a simple one. If you were to pick this game based on past history, the Titans would win in a landslide. But the focus is on this year, and what these teams are going through right now.
Which brings up the season the Titans had.
The three losses was the most in the regular season since 2011, and the third setback came last weekend in a 35-34 overtime decision against Jackson High.
“You have to move on from that,” Brogan said. “That was a real strange dynamic where both of us had wrapped a playoff spot up in Week 8. We went into Week 8 as the most important game, knowing we had to win, and I think Jackson likely did the same. So, I don’t know if that loss had the impact it normally would have. Our kids certainly felt bad, but the challenge is to pick up and get better.”
And Lumen certainly has the swagger and talent to do just that.
Prior to the Jackson loss, the Titans allowed 15 points in a pair of wins against playoff-bound Western and Pennfield.
Still, Vandercook posses one of the more explosive offenses in the area.
With Zaithon Allen and Malik Wilks getting most of the carries, and Nolan Hancock’s comfort in the pocket, the Jayhawks are a team that can seemingly score at will — as they did last week in 45-42 victory against playoff-bound Springport.
“They have a lot of good skill kids,” Brogan said. “They have good speed, and they have some size up front. And their big guys are relentless. … Our defense has to get pressure. We want their quarterback to have to make quick decisions. Their speed is very good, but it’s not something we haven’t seen before. So we have to go out and make them earn everything they get. We can’t give them anything.”
And the best defense for Lumen may be its offense.
“With the type of squad we have this year, we want to control the ball,” Brogan said simply. “With the strength of Vandercook being the offense, we want to keep them off the field. I don’t think it’s a secret we want to control the ball and take advantage of every possession.”
That may be an even more essential objective considering the boost the VCL offense (and defense) will get with the return of Wilks, who will play for the first time in three weeks after having thumb surgery.
“It’s huge. You almost wouldn’t believe the difference he makes unless you see it,” Wolvin said. “The energy and enthusiasm he brings is unlike anything else. But I think our approach has to be the same it always has been for us. If we can establish the run, the play-action passing will be there. And it’s important we find a way to score, and maybe get some early to help the confidence level. We really aren’t a team that plays ball control.”
Nor one that’s played much defense the past couple weeks, which Wolvin knows must change.
“We have to tackle much better than we have,” Wolvin said of his team, which hasn’t held a team under 27 points since Week 4. “On Monday, you could tell how focused this group was. The kids were excited to play them, and I think we’ve had two of our best practices in a long time. That’s going to make a difference. We’ve focused on moving our feet and being in position to tackle. We have to get away from the arm tackles.”
While Vandercook will have home field on its side, the playoff experience Brogan and the Titans have will count for something as well.
“I like the way our team has practiced this week,” Brogan said. “We had some fresh enthusiasm with the junior varsity guys, guys we are giving a look to maybe help us come Friday night.”
“There’s nothing like getting a state giant when you get back in,” said Wolvin, who coached at Lumen from 1995-98. “They’ve been there for 18 years, but our guys are excited. We’re looking forward to it.”
The game will be broadcast on JTV and JTV.TV Saturday at 3:30pm and 9:30pm and Sunday at 9:30pm. Follow JTV Sports on twitter Friday night for updates throughout the game.
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.