No. 4/6 Tiger Football takes on No. 1 North Central in the second round of the NCAA III Football Playoffs on Saturday. 
 
The Tigers (10-1) won the Battle of Texas last weekend against Hardin-Simmons in the first round of the NCAA Playoffs. Fifth-year quarterback Tucker Horn (Graham, Texas / Graham) led the offense with precision, collecting 300 yards on 23 of 29 passing and throwing for two touchdowns. On the ground, it would be Winston Hutchison (Round Rock, Texas / McNeil) that would net 53 total yards on the ground. For the receiving core, Cole Monago (Houston, Texas / Klein Cain) would punish the Cowboy defense with 102 yards receiving while Ryan Merrifield (Austin, Texas / Vandergrift) found the endzone twice during the game. Defensively, it would be cornerback Johnny Kousa (Prosper, Texas / Wakeland) and linebacker Caleb Harmel (Burton, Texas / Burton) who would both collect seven total tackles. It was an all-around defensive effort as the Tigers collected 4 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. Kicker Tyler Huettel (McKinney, Texas / McKinney) would tack on two field goals and two PATs during the game. Although the Tigers only defeated the Cowboys by 14 points, the Tigers had control of the game for the entirety of four quarters. 
 
Scouting the Opponent
 
This will be the first matchup between the Tigers and the Cardinals. The game is slated for a noon kickoff in Naperville, Illinois.  
 
Offense: North Central (Ill.) started and ended the season as the top-ranked team in the country. The Cardinals have outscored opponents 682-121. Led by a prominent rushing attack, the Cardinals have amassed almost 4000 yards on the ground, averaging 342 yards per game. Leading the ground attack is junior running back Joe Sacco who has gained 1266 yards this season. Commanding the offense is junior quarterback Luke Lehnen with 2596 yards through the air and 37 passing touchdowns. Lehnen will try to get the ball to his favorite target, DeAngelo Hardy, as Hardy has gained 994 total yards this season. The Cardinals sport an all-upperclassmen starting group, except for freshman wide receiver Jake Rummell. The Cardinal's offensive line averages 279 pounds, and they are physical. The O-line unit is led by senior right tackle Zach Fortier, who stands at 6-foot-7 and 292 pounds. The Tiger defense will have their hands full with a strong rushing attack. 
 
Defense: The Cardinals have had a solid defense this season, only allowing 11 points per game this season. They allowed 35 points to 10th-ranked Wheaton earlier in the season and then 24 points to Carroll the next week. The Cardinals have only allowed double-digit scoring four times this season. The Cardinal defense is led by junior linebacker BJ Adamchik. Adamchik has collected 58 total tackles. The Tiger offensive line will need to keep their eyes peeled for senior defensive lineman Martin Egbo who leads the Cardinals with seven total sacks and 19 tackles for loss. Lining up across from Merrifield will likely be senior cornerback Antwain Walker. Walker does not have an interception this season but does have five pass breakups. The biggest question mark for the Cardinal defense is that they have only played a Tiger-like offense once this season in Wheaton, and they put up 35 points. 
 
Special Teams: The Cardinal special teams are led by two freshman legs. Freshman kicker Sean Ryniec only has eight touchbacks this season with his 88 total kicks and has made his one field goal this season. In terms of punting, freshman Dom Scalera has only punted five times for an average of 32.40 yards per punt this season. In the return game, the Cardinals are dangerous. Senior returner Joey Lombardi is averaging 46 yards per return this season and has taken three kicks to the house. 
 
Keys To The Game
 
Defense Wins Championships: The Tiger defense will have a big test against a high-powered rushing attack for the second time this season. It will be up to the Tiger defensive line and linebackers to read their keys and make crucial stops in the run game to give the Tiger offense a chance to score. 
 
Special Teams Play: With the Cardinal kicker not having many touchbacks, it will be a huge opportunity for Cam Herron (Abilene, Texas / Cooper) to make an impact in the return game to give the Tigers good field position. Herron is averaging 26 yards per return so far this season but has multiple 30-plus yard returns. 
 
Looking Ahead - Round Three
 
If the Tigers take a win, they will play the winner of Wisconsin-La Crosse versus Aurora on December 2nd in the quarterfinals.