Knights have hands full in playoff opener

Posted Nov 18, 2009 by Adam Adkins

Updated Nov 18, 2009 at 11:44 AM

Robinson’s football team is gearing up for its first home state playoff game in more than three decades, and the Knights certainly will have their hands full.

The Knights welcome in Arcadia DeSoto County, which has one of the state’s top running backs in senior Marcus Shaw.

Shaw has put together consecutive 2,000-yard rushing seasons and enters Friday’s playoff game at Jack Peters Field – the first there since 1977 – with 2,361 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns this year.

Knights coach Mike DePue is well aware of Shaw, who could be a familiar name to some Hillsborough County football fans. After all, Shaw was a catalyst in ending Spoto’s season last year, rushing for 196 and three touchdowns in an opening-round playoff win against the Spartans.

Perhaps the most worrisome aspect for the Knights is the method in which DeSoto County’s offense moves the ball – out of the Wing-T. Robinson had trouble with another Wing-T team (Newsome) and its standout runner (fullback Conner Powers) earlier this season. The Knights suffered their only home loss of the season to the Wolves, 41-20, as Powers rushed for 179 yards and four touchdowns.

“I think the difference is we matchup up front with them (DeSoto County) a little better,” DePue said last wee. “I think that might give us a little bit of help there.”

If not, Robinson could be forced into a shootout with the Bulldogs. The good news is the Knights have averaged 39.8 points per game this season.

“It could end up being a barn-burner,” DePue said.