NFC Playoffs Rd. 1 Huntley vs. Cleveland preview

Johnny Unitas, end of sentence. You think that Huntley Hawkeyes aren't going to be a passing team? Brian Davenport is a good enough coach to know where his bread is buttered and if Unitas is the bread, then Art Powell is the butter. Powell led the league in receptions, receiving average and yardage. When the Hawkeyes run they can be effective with the triumvirate of Bohling-Peaks-Galimore. Finally, if you stop the run and shut down Powell then all you have left is Lionel Taylor who reeled in 55 catches and is a legitimate home run threat. The defensive line is daunting with Andy Robudstelli, Mel Branch and Chuck McMurty. All three are strong against the run and pass. They possess an elite linebacker in Larry Grantham and very good safeties in Wagstaff and Spence. The rest of the defense is a bit of a mixed bag but as a unit they are not easy to beat. Then again even if you score a couple against Huntley they are almost sure to score more than a few themselves.

Cleveland is one of the more balanced offenses in the league. Coach Anthony DiNardo had the right formula when the teams met in week 6 as the Rams prevailed 21-14. Cleveland has homer hitters in the backfield in Paul Lowe and Dan Lewis. Focus too hard on those two and Frank Ryan will pull the ball back and toss to capable receivers Jim Colclough or Jimmy Orr. No easy answers either way. The Rams defense is strong but not necessarily dominant. Young Willie Davis and the veteran Ordell Braase are strong against both ruan and pass. The linebackers are a good group with Dennit Morris tackling everything in the middle of the field and Rommie Loudd providing a dangerous pass rushing threat. Cleveland comes into the game having won 4 of their last 5 games and with a previous victory in hand over Huntley the Rams look playoff ready for a run in the NFC.