Preview: Pittsford travels to Climax-Scotts for a MHSAA 8-player D2 regional semifinal

PITTSFORD — Ask any prep football coach with a team outside of the MHSAA postseason and they would probably relish in the opportunity to face one of their regular season opponents for a rematch in round one of the playoffs.

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The two remaining Hillsdale County prep football teams head into the 8-player Division 2 postseason with that same scenario ahead of them this Friday night. For both Pittsford and Camden-Frontier, their opportunity on Friday night includes the chance at sweet revenge but also to knock out two of the top teams in round one of the MHSAA playoffs.

No. 9 Pittsford travels to No. 3 Climax-Scotts for a Region 4 semifinal matchup. Camden-Frontier travels to No. 1 Lenawee Christian on the opposite side of the bracket.

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This is the game day information, keys to victory and our prediction for the rematch between the Wildcats and Panthers in the MHSAA 8-player D2 playoffs.

Game Day Information

Week 9 was played in Pittsford. This time, the Panthers will have home field advantage on Friday night at Climax-Scotts High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 27.

The weather for Friday night in Climax looks to be cloudy. Day time highs look to be in the 70s with the temperature dropping to the low 50s as the sun sets. Thunderstorms are expected in the afternoon, with rain ending before kickoff.

Tickets for this playoff game can be purchased at GoFan's website or app. All tickets for MHSAA postseason events must be purchased online. Every fan must purchase a ticket. Tickets cost $7 dollars.

Last Matchup

No. 3 AP ranked Climax-Scotts is undefeated for a reason. The team has scored more than 35 points in all but one game this season while rolling to a SCAA West division title.

Climax-Scotts capped off their undefeated season with a Week 9 trip to Pittsford. The barnburner saw the Panthers score a go-ahead touchdown late in the game to secure the 38-30 victory.

Both offenses were nearly identical in final stat lines. Climax-Scotts had 191 rushing yards and 138 receiving yards. Pittsford had 193 rushing yards and 168 receiving yards.

Pittsford scored three of their touchdowns on the ground and two through the air. Climax-Scotts scored two touchdowns on the ground and four through the air.

Pittsford led 24-16 at the half after scoring two unanswered touchdowns before heading into the locker room. Climax-Scotts outscored Pittsford 22-6 the rest of the way to win the game.

The biggest difference in the final score would come from 2-point conversions. Pittsford was unable to score a 2-point attempt during the game. Climax-Scotts missed on just one of their attempts.

Pittsford senior QB Gavyn Carden had 168 passing yards, 127 rushing yards and three total touchdowns. Nine of Carden's 14 completions went to senior Bryce Williams for 92 yards and one touchdown.

Panther junior quarterback Logan Gilbert completed eight of his 11 pass attempts for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Two of those touchdowns went to senior standout Miles Shannon. Filbert added 58 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground.

Keys to Victory for Pittsford

Nearly everything went the way Pittsford needed it to in order to win in Week 9 in their home finale to end Climax-Scotts undefeated season hopes. However, a failure to capitalize on 2-point conversions and make big plays defensively in the second half would end up costing them the win.

That win could have secured them a home playoff game in a potential rematch with Climax-Scotts. Now, they must go on the road and have a similar offensive game plan in order to pull off the win against Climax-Scotts.

The first key to victory for Pittsford will be to end every touchdown score of the night with a successful 2-point conversion. Pittsford has tried their luck at point-after attempts this season, but their chances at winning on Friday will drastically improve if they can score eight points every red zone trip instead of six.

The Wildcats left 10 points on the field in Week 9 that could have secured a win. They will have to convert those against a Panther offense capable of matching Pittsford blow-for-blow.

The second key to victory for the Wildcats will be to maintain offensive momentum for all four quarters. The Wildcats allowed the Panthers to score two touchdowns unanswered in the second half to take the lead in the fourth quarter. The Wildcat offense will have to find a way to take some pressure off of Gavyn Carden's shoulders and allow the offense to control the start of the second half.

The third key for the Wildcats' key to upsetting the No. 3 Panthers on the road will be to eliminate the big passing opportunities for the Panthers. The Panthers had nearly 10 minutes less of possession time compared to the Wildcats, but they were able to win the game with their big plays.

The Panthers scored from 45, 32, 34 and 38 yards out on all of their passing touchdowns. If the Wildcats want to end Friday night with a shot at a regional title, they will need to eliminate Logan Gilbert's ability to get the Panthers on the board quickly. Forcing the Panthers to work for every first down and touchdown gives the Wildcats more chances at forcing a turnover or a turnover-on-downs.

Prediction

It's possible this game could turn into another Carden-Gilbert shootout, with whoever makes the stops on 2-point tries the victor on Friday night. But it is also as likely that we see a much different game in matchup No. 2 between the Wildcats and Panthers.

If the Wildcat defense forces Gilbert and the Panthers to eat up more time and plays to score, it will allow the Wildcats to control the flow of the game even more than they did on their home turf in Week 9.

The Wildcats will need a big game from their secondary and receivers. That will start with receiver and defensive back Bryce Williams. Both teams will be eager to make a big play on defense, and if the Wildcats can put their offense into easy field position with a turnover, the odds of moving on to the next round of the playoffs will be likely.

We predicted the Panthers to win in Week 9. With two games against the best the 8-player D2 field has to offer this postseason, we believe the Wildcats are poised to put in their best effort yet this season.

Give us the Wildcats for the road win to earn their first playoff victory since 2017.

Pittsford 44, Climax-Scotts 34

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Pittsford travels to Climax-Scotts for a MHSAA 8-player D2 regional semifinal