BOUNTIFUL --The Bountiful Braves will visit the Orem Tigers this Friday at 4 p.m. in the first round of the 4A state playoffs. The Braves have had a somewhat disappointing season, ending with a 5-5 record overall, but as Head Coach Larry Wall is quick to remind you, season standings are not everything.

The Braves, who finished third overall in Region 5, find themselves in the exact same position they were in a year ago, when they had to travel to American Fork in the first-round. The Braves were able to surprise the Cavemen with a 28-14 victory last year and go on to win the state championship at Rice-Eccles Stadium; surely this year's team hopes to do the same.

In order for the Braves to beat Orem, they will need to slow down the Tigers' offensive attack. The Tigers run an option offense out of an I-formation, somewhat similar to the offense run by the Braves, and are very dynamic offensively.

They are led by quarterback Nick Jones, who had 722 yards rushing on the year and will not hesitate to turn up-field and run for big gains.

The Tigers leading rusher for the year was fullback Ryan Hogue, who had 789 yards rushing.

Although the Tigers aren't a big-play offense, they can score quickly by lulling defenses to sleep with repeated option plays and then surprising them with a long play-action pass.

The Braves will need to "stay home" defensively, a phrase in football that means each player take care of his responsibility, because with a deceptive offense, if players try to do too much they can be burned by reverses, counters and other plays. The Braves will also try to change things up defensively, getting into many different fronts and looks on the defensive line. This way, the Braves will try to gain the upper hand and keep the high-powered Orem attack off-balance.

Offensively, the Braves just need to continue what they've done in recent weeks.

They've beaten Olympus and Woods Cross by a combined score of 81-7, using a balanced attack of run and pass and implementing some big plays.

Jace Wood has emerged as a go-to guy offensively, making some great catches in recent weeks, and the Braves will need him to continue his offensive surge.

Another key for the Braves' offense will be in the trenches. The Braves' offensive line has dominated the line of scrimmage, giving running backs Jake Magalei and Lavell Ika huge holes to run through. If the Braves can continue to put the ball in the end zone and avoid costly mistakes, they possess the talent to beat the Tigers and make another deep run in the postseason.

If the Braves do defeat the Tigers, they will visit Box Elder or host Olympus next week, depending on the outcome of that game. Friday's game begins at 4 p. m.

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