What We Know

1. This team never gives up

Culture can tell you a lot about a team in high school football. Most times it is displayed more through actions than words on the gridiron and anyone who has watched Pandora-Gilboa this season can tell you everything you need to know about the Rocket's culture, they just do not quit. In the first game of the season the Rockets were down 14-0 to bitter rival Columbus Grove and had missed a huge opportunity just before the half to get on the scoreboard. They did not fret and outscored the Bulldogs 22-21 in the second half including an interception from senior Andrew Webster to seal the game. Even when games do not go there way, like the week three matchup with Leipsic, PG never backed down. With 61 seconds and no timeouts remaining the Rockets needed to go 87 yards to retake a lead down 12-7. Pandora-Gilboa would end up six yards short of the go ahead touchdown but never let the moment get to them with poise from all 11 players during each play. Most recently, a BVC matchup with Arlington would take a field goal from junior Layton Cannode with 1:45 to go to finish out the game and PG was able to hold on with not only the kick but some huge defensive stops. No matter what the score or situation is, there is no task too large for this Rockets team.

2. Do not test the secondary

There are multiple ways to look at numbers and at the end of the day football is a complimentary game so without the defensive line and linebackers doing their job, the secondary could not shine. With that being said, when quarterbacks make any small mistake the Pandora-Gilboa secondary will quickly turn it into a takeaway. Coming into the season, there was not a single area coach who thought it would be a good idea to attack senior Chase Meyer who had three interceptions (one of which was a pick six) and was a BVC 1st team selection. There was however a question of who else would be there for the Rockets. PG lost defensive backs Nolan Leatherman (2 int),  Nate Walker, and Lane Lee (who was predominately a linebacker but shifted to corner as needed). Returning along with Meyer for this season were safeties Cory Gerten (rotated last year) and Breydon Ferguson. The new faces of senior Andrew Webster and junior Jace Fenbert have been the ones who have really helped PG take the next step. That tandem combines for 5 interceptions                          (3 Fenbert/2Webster) and one pick six (Webster). Gerten and Meyer each added an interception on senior night to put the group up to 7 interceptions on the season. The group definitely still makes mistakes and gives up a shade under 200 yards per game through the air, a number somewhat inflated due to Leipsic's dominant passing attack. Despite this, it is a group who makes up for mistakes in big plays, causing interceptions, and pass break ups frequently.

3. Once you think you have the offense figured out, you don't

Wildcat and five wide and pistol, oh my! Pandora-Gilboa's offense this season might be the most versatile I have witnessed in a while. The Rockets do not have a "standard" formation for one reason, they don't need one! If you have a weakness defensively the coaching staff (especially head coach Matt Hershey and OC Tyler Closson) will find it and expose it. Week one against Columbus Grove the run game could not get going so they decided to snap the ball right to Ben Burkholder with backup running back Landen Moore right beside him (take notes Mike Denbrock). This allowed an extra blocker in the box and opened up Burkholder for the go ahead touchdown and two point conversion attempt. Within the next three weeks (excluding week 5 due to Burkholder injury) they ran the formation less times combined than what they did against Columbus Grove because they pivoted to a new gameplan week by week. Going in to the game against Arlington, PG's offense was so balanced that per game they were rushing for 151 yards and throwing for 152. Whenever you can keep the defense guessing for a half second and make them think, you will be able to find a lot more success offensively. The extra wrinkle that has been added in recently is Cory Gerten's ability to run the football on designed calls and scrambling on pass plays. Against Leipsic the Rockets even broke out a triple option in what Coach Hershey said may have been the first time he had ever called one. It is hard to gameplan as an opposing coach when the opposite team can do everything well.

4. Receiving threats have been established

From the beginning of the season the question of who the "next guys up" would be at wide receiver for the Rockets. Last season's stars of deep threat Nate Walker and yard after catch machine Lane Lee were gone. Even with Breydon Ferguson and Chase Meyer back, like any good passing team they needed more players to step up alongside them. Within a couple of games Pandora-Gilboa would have their answers in the form of Landen Moore, Zahnder Boggs, and Jace Fenbert. Moore is not a new piece for the PG offense however the way he is used has changed from last season. Depending on formation he could be at just about any skill position, the only one he has not taken a snap at being quarterback. Moore hauled in two touchdowns against Bluffton and has been a steady presence blocking, running, and receiving. Zahnder Boggs may be one of the bigger "surprises" on the PG offense.  Last season he spent his time as the JV quarterback but has stepped up and become one of Cory Gerten's favorite guys to throw to. Boggs has the third most receptions on the team with 11 and has scored twice (each against Van Buren) to add to his 155 yards. Jace Fenbert is the type of wide receiver that every team needs one of. He is not going to be your flashiest guy who hits long touchdowns (at least not this season) but his ability on 3rd and 4th down to find the sticks and convert a first down can not be understated. 49ers fans know of the "3rd and Jauan" phenomenon where it seems like every third down Jauan Jennings just finds a way to move the chains. Although I do not have a fun nickname for it, Jace Fenbert is the exact same way. He has 13 catches for 95 yards which again does not jump off the stat sheet but it is when he makes the catches that will jump out at you. Chase Meyer was always going to be the top dog of the receiver room, but the help he is getting is what makes the Pandora-Gilboa passing attack as dangerous as it is.

5. The lines will get a push

I honestly struggled on where to put this talk about the trenches for Pandora-Gilboa. I do not have any questions about how good the offensive and defensive lines can and will be, I do question the consistency (something I'll get to later). These lines are too good not to mention in what people should know about the Rockets however. I'll start offensively where there were major questions coming into the season. PG lost 1st team BVC performer Eli Luginbill, 2nd team performer Parker Gallaspie, and honorable mention selection Logan Moser on the offensive line. The silver lining being that honorable mention picks Caleb Doty and Landon Siefker would be back to lead the unit. Newcomers senior Tressell Grothause, junior Alex Rutschilling, and junior Grady Gerding were ready for the challenge. This unit makes some mistakes as a more inexperienced group does but when they are on, especially in pass protection, the PG offense clicks. Cory Gerten is a four year starter at quarterback, when given time he will eventually find an open guy and improvisation has helped the passing game make some nice plays, but none if it would be possible without good protection.

Defensively, I can not remember a time that Pandora-Gilboa has had such good push to where two defensive lineman can lead the team in tackles for loss. Alex Rutschilling is able to make plays from the backside of a run or bootleg better than a lot of defensive ends would be able to by quickly shedding his block and following the play in a straight line. Tackles Lincoln Breece and Landon Siefker (splits time at DE) thrive even when being double teamed. It is a group that opens up so many gaps for a very explosive linebacker group to rush straight through and get to a play before it has even truly started. Even when it goes to a smaller package for pass rush situations players like Zahnder Boggs and Tressell Grothause are finding ways to get to the quarterback in a hurry. This also helps the secondary as it speeds up the quarterback and makes them make mistakes. There are also times where the initial push is not great but there is nothing downfield and the Rockets find a way to bring the play to an end with a sack.