CLASS 7A FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS: Dead-T Is Panthers’ Lifeblood
COACH SAYS CABOT’S OFFENSE ‘TOUGH TO DEFEND’
Posted: November 25, 2009 at 5:17 a.m.
SPRINGDALE — Even Mike Malham Jr. will admit there aren’t any secrets about what Cabot does best.
For nearly 30 years under Malham, the Panthers have made a living out of running the Dead-T offense, winning state championships in 1983 and in 2000. This year is no different for Cabot, which won the 7A-Central Conference with a 9-1 regular-season record.
“It’s what we’ve always done because we’ve always had success with it,” said Malham, whose team is in the semifinals for the fi rst time since 2002. “Not too may people run that kind of offense; it makes us unique. It’s been good to us all through the years because it’s tough to defend.”
The Panthers (10-1) feature a veteran offense that has a three- year starting quarterback in Seth Bloomberg and two experienced fullbacks (Michael James and Spencer Neumann) that carry the load of Cabot’s rushing attack. Jeremy Berry, who ran for 82 yards last week against Conway, should also see some playing time Friday night against Springdale Har-Ber.
James, who’s rushed for more than 500 yards this season, hasn’t played extensively after injuring his shoulder and ankle early in the season. James’ injuries left the door open for Neumann, who leads the team in carries for more than 1,000 yards on the ground.
“They’ve both been great for us this season, we’ve got them both playing right now and that’s important to us,” Malham said. “We’re playing well, we’re doing all the right things and I hope we can continue that against Springdale Har-Ber.”
Har-Ber, which has ended Cabot’s season the last two years in the state playoffs, has totaled 10 victories this season after sharing the 7A-West Conference title with Bentonville.
The Wildcats, averaging 27.3 points and 216 rushing yards per game, defeated Russellville 30-7 last week in the quarterfinals in Springdale.
Malham said the biggest factor in playing Har-Ber (10-1) is not giving up the big passing play against the Wildcats’ balanced off ense.
“They like to throw about five or six deep balls in a game, we know that,” Malham said. “We have to expect that. They’ve got a great receiver in Josh McKinney that they just got back, so he’s definitely a threat.”
Har-B er coach Chris Wood said Cabot’s offense will be tough to defend simply because it’s a scheme the Wildcats haven’t seen this season. However, Har-Ber is familiar with Cabot’s scheme after facing the Panthers in the playoff s the last two years, Wood said.
“Our guys know what to expect and how to be eff ective against it,” Wood said. “It can be really tricky, but we just have to play to our assignments. That’s the big key.”
Malham wouldn’t exactly say on Tuesday that his players are seeking revenge against Har-Ber because of how its ended Cabot’s season two years in a row, but instead said the game is very important to his players.
“All I can say is we want to win the game,” Malham said. “Our players feel like they’ve earned it and they want to go to Little Rock as bad as anyone else. It’s going to be a physical game, but we’ve got to find a way to win.”
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