2-A PLAYOFFS : BIG GAME : Ramona Relying on Big Line to Cancel Speed of Crawford

The townsfolk of Ramona got together Thursday night for a community barbecue/bonfire. But they didn’t sing about any hot times in the old town.

Nope. Instead they were preparing for what they hope will be a hot time at Patrick Henry High School tonight at 7:30 when Ramona High will meet Crawford (8-2) in its first 2-A football playoff game.

“Hey, we’re excited about playing,” said Mel Galli, Ramona’s second-year coach. “The kids can’t wait to get there.”

The Bulldogs (6-4) go up against the winner of the City Central League and possessor of some of the best speed in the county, most notably defensive back/wide receiver Vernon Shaver, a 10.9-second 100-meter sprinter last spring.

“I hadn’t watched them play until we exchanged films this last weekend,” Galli said. “We were trying to find Shaver, and there were about six guys flying around the field who could have been him.”

Galli knows his Bulldogs cannot match Crawford’s speed. But he also knows Ramona can counter with an equally destructive weapon-- size.

Lots of size. Ramona’s offensive line consists of left tackle Adam Klukowski (6-feet-6, 260 pounds), left guard Jason Emerick (6-5, 265), center Mike Murray (6-2, 240), right guard Bobby Ballantyne (5-11, 190), right tackle Brian Dipietro (6-2, 230) and tight end Todd Jackson (6-5, 200).

“Ramona is the biggest high school football team I’ve ever seen,” said Dan Armstrong, Crawford(s coach. “It’s as big as any college team in the area.”

So there you have it. Size vs. speed. Power vs. finesse.

In the power department, Ramona’s beefy offensive line has given quarterback John Cappasola enough time to throw for more than 650 yards and six touchdowns since he became a starter five games ago. It has allowed running back Sarn Salmon to average 5.5 yards per carry and gain 830 yards.

In the finesse department, Crawford’s speed has limited opponents to 47 points.

A possible indicator of how size or speed match up was the game three weeks ago when Crawford went up against St. Augustine, a much bigger team, and was upset, 14-0. The Colts lost quarterback Chris Townsend, who suffered his third concussion of the season and was told by his doctor not to risk a fourth.

Injuries aside, the fact is that Crawford can be worn down by a bigger opponent. It has eight players who line up on both sides of the ball. Ramona, on the other hand, has just one.

“That’s going to be a key factor,” Galli said. “We’re not going to be tired at the end of the game. Last week, our game took an hour and a half and my guys looked like they were ready to play another full game.”