Redskins readying to play Raby

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For the second year in a row, the Morris football team will be opening playoff action at Hanson Field in Chicago on Saturday afternoon. Last year, the Redskins defeated Chicago Manley 37-12. This year they will be kicking off the postseason against Chicago Raby, a team with an 8-1 record heading into the game.

"They are really well coached and they are really well organized. They also have good talent who play good basic football," Morris coach George Dergo said. "It will be a battle up there. This is a team who has the right attitude. They are 8-1 for a reason."

Morris will be heading into the contest with a 3-game winning streak having just snuck into the playoffs with a 5-4 record. Something which Dergo doesn't think will intimidate Raby on Saturday.

"Raby is not going to be shaking in their boots about playing against Morris. Not when we're going in 5-4," he said. "Raby is sure to have a lot of fans there and hopefully we'll also have a good showing. I hope everyone knows we can't take Raby for granted. I think they're going to be tough."

Raby coach D'Angelo Dereef says that Morris is certainly a team to be accounted for.

"I know they have won a state championship. We see them up at Bolingbrook during the summer. We have played 7-on-7 against them. But the thing that puts us behind the 8-ball is the fact we only have 560 kids," he said. "But since we are a non-boundary school, the state has put us in with a 1.5 multiplier, so our enrollment is counted as 833. We really should be in Class 2A or 3A. But we will come out to play. We have won back-to-back conference crowns and we will show up."


When Raby is on Offense

It is without a doubt that most fans who venture up to the Windy City on Saturday will be there to see Raby quarterback Daniel Cleveland.

"We are fast," Raby coach D'Angelo Dereef said. "Our quarterback is a monster. he has rushed for eight touchdowns and passed for 22 more. He has 600 yards rushing and 1,800 yards passing. He has 10 sacks on defense [at end], three interceptions, four fumble recoveries and three fumbles caused. And he is also our kicker and punter. He is 6-2 and 225 with a 3.5 average in the classroom."

Dergo knows that for his team to be successful that they are going to need to contain Raby's speed.

"They are all pass. They throw the ball a lot," he said. "They're not fancy, but their receivers run good routes and their quarterback is a good athlete. He has a great arm and he can also pull the ball down and run, too."

"We run the spread and all of our receivers and linebackers are all over 6-0 tall and weigh 190 to 200 pounds," said Dereef, at the helm of the program since it started five seasons ago.


When Raby is on Defense

According to Dergo, the Raiders will be trying to get after the Redskins by sending more guys than the locals can block.

"They play hard on defense and they come right at you. We've seen them play a 3-5 on defense and they've also shown a 4-4. They are a good blitzing defense who likes to put pressure on you," he said. "They move side to side real well. Their linemen will come at you hard and they will also blitz and have 5-6-7-8 guys going at the quarterback. They use their speed on defense and they also get back well, too."

Perhaps standing the tallest for the Raiders will be 6-1 and 230 senior linebacker Donovan Harris.

"He has a lot of small schools after him," said Dereef of Harris. "He is a transfer from Proviso West. He loves to hit and he really likes rock 'n' roll. Let me see how I can say this. He is not your typical black kid from the West Side of Chicago. He is a different cat. He is very humble ... and a gentle giant. But when he puts the pads on, watch out."


Field Conditions

Chicago weather is calling for more rain through Friday but then stopping for Saturday's matinee. Hanson Stadium, however, is a turf field, so don't expect a mud bowl that day.

"All I know is that it's not going to be muddy. It may be wet, but it won't be muddy. I think the field will benefit the fastest team," Dergo said. "We played on the turf last year and I can tell you that it benefits a fast paced team. I think we have a little speed on this team but I don't know if we can match theirs. All I know is that the guys on the team are anxious to get up there and to get after it. All the guys who were on the team last year have said they are looking forward to playing up there. It's nothing new to them."

Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.

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