RMFL PLAYOFF GAME PREVIEW CAPSULE
Idaho Mustangs (6-3) vs. Zion Lions (10-0)
Saturday, 7 p.m.., at the Dixie Sunbowl
Previous Meeting: This will be the first meeting between these two teams.
IDAHO MUSTANGS (6-3)
Offense: Multiple
Defense: 5-3
PPG: 24.8
PAPG: 15.1
Last Game: Beat Blackfoot Anarchy 24-0 in RMFL quarterfinals last week.
Players to Watch: Jason Ralph starts at quarterback but they also bring in Ryan Schaat for wildcat formations. The Mustangs are not sure who they will have running the ball with several players unable to make the trip. DeVeon Reynolds leads the team in rushing. Ralph’s favorite targets are receivers Justin Coates and Matt Fisher. Defensively the Mustangs are led in tackles by the linebacking trio of Mike Daronch, Terrence Johnson and Ryan Schaat. Free safety David Pasquella leads the team in interceptions.
Trend: The Mustangs got a revenge win against the Anarchy after suffering a loss to them just two weeks earlier. Ralph’s stats at quarterback are in the top five of the league.
ZION LIONS (10-0)
Head Coach: Dale Stott (10-0, 18-2 overall)
Offense: Multiple
Defense: Pro 4-3, Nickel
PPG: 37.4
PAPG: 11.6
Last Game: Beat Brigham Sting 30-7 in RMFL quarterfinals last week.
Players to watch: Misi Tupe leads the league in rushing and would undoubtedly have been the leader in passing had the Anarchy showed up to play earlier this season. (The Lions won by forfeit but were hurt in the stat totals) Last week Tupe had 335 total yards. Matt Feula had 126 yards in his first start at running back. Sione Tapuosi returns after missing last week. Tanner Wood put up big numbers receiving with seven catches for 106 yards last week. Josh Ford and Viliami Hafoka both had catches for touchdowns. The offensive line is the best in the league in both run and pass blocking. The Lion starting defense gave up a rare touchdown last week. Defensive ends Vince Feula and Doug Roberts turn everything in where opposing rushers get to shake hands with Joe Feula and the Lion linebacking corps of Kaleo Teriipaia and the two Katoa brothers, Thor and Isaac. Dom Vargas and Ryne Wall both got picks last week.
Trend: With key players missing last week the Lions still performed will against a good Sting team. They found a gem in Matt Feula at running back and will continue to get him experience today in preparation for the championship game against probable opponent Wasatch. “Matt brings a different style than (Sione) Tapuosi,” said Lions head coach Dale Stott. “He is a patient runner and lets the blocking develop. He picks his spots well. Tapuosi is a bulldozer and fast. Tapuosi will get you three yards every time.”
Prediction: Nothing against the Mustangs, but this will be a practice game for the Lions. Stott normally pulls his starters after their first series in the second half to make the score respectable. Regardless, it will still be a blowout. Zion Lions 51, Idaho Mustangs 7.
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