The Predators (3-6) losing streak is now at three as they lost Sunday to the Highlanders (2-6) 19-25. The Highlanders scored on every possession but their last two in each half. One of which they were just trying to run out the clock. Their quarterback picked apart the defense and the Predators couldn't adjust. Changing personnel mid drive has worked well for the Predators this season, but it hurt them on this night. Offensively the Predators did a decent job moving the ball, but two turnover on downs were the difference on the scoreboard. The loss really hurts the Predators chances of making the playoffs. The Predators still want to get in, but if they can't beat the worst team (record wise), they don't really deserve to be there.
On the first drive the Predators turned the balls over. They picked up a first down but then couldn't punch it in. On the next series the Highlanders got to work moving the ball down field easily. By way of multiple slants the Predators couldn't defend. Their flag pulling in the game was solid. They didn't miss many and it forced the Highlanders to continually execute, too bad they did. They scored on the series and led 6-0. The Predators came back quickly chipping away at the defense. They struck it big when #8 Wagar found #45 Price deep down the middle of the field for a TD, giving Price the team lead with six on the year.
On the next series the Highlanders again moved the ball down field throwing short over the middle. Then at mid field they hit a long one over the middle for a score. Putting them up 12-6. The Predators are configuring a new defense because their regular defense has become stale and has been picked apart three straight weeks. The Predators got the ball back and answered again. On the first play #7 Brown found #8 Wagar deep down the right sideline for another big score. The point after gave the Predators a 13-12 lead.
The Highlanders moved the ball down field again hitting quick slants and putting them into position to score with little time on the clock. Good defensive plays in the end zone by #2 Long and #11 Brown held the Highlanders from scoring. Giving the Predators a one point lead at half time.
The Highlanders got the ball as the second half began and moved it down field. They converted on fourth down at mid field with a good pass and catch. Then after a couple of plays #10 Piskac picked up a unnecessary roughness call and gave the Highlanders 1st and goal from the ten. The Predators forced the Highlanders into 4th down and the Predators called for a personnel change. The personnel before the change held the Highlanders out three straight plays and where in the entire series. The Predators should've stood pat and gave them one more play. Personnel switches have been something that helped the Predators throughout the season, but in this case it came back to bite them. The Highlanders scored putting them up 19-13. The Predators came back firing. Using their quick pitch plays, which gave #7 Brown and #8 Wagar the option to run, put them in a double threat and opened up the field for receivers. It resulted in the Predators moving the ball effortlessly down field. The Predators scored from one yard out when #7 Brown bench pressed the ball to #33 Price immediately after the snap, evening the score 19-19.
The first play of the next series was the play of the night. #11 Brown appeared to get picked on the play and the Highlanders hit another quick slant that resulted in a very long touchdown catch. The referees never seem to call picks right up on the line of scrimmage. The Predators are currently putting that cheap stuff in the playbook. The play was a punch in the face and the Predators did not recover.
The Predators got the ball back and moved the ball well early in the series. #11 Brown and #33 Price made the most of short passes picking up yards after the catch. They converted a first down then fell right back into their love for deep passes. Three consecutive deep pass incompletions ended the drive and gave the ball back to the Highlanders with little time remaining. The Highlanders slowed down #33 Price from getting to the quarterback on the drive and for the entire game with good blocking and quick passes. They did a nice job of making #33 Price a non factor defensively. They picked up a quick first down and ran the ball until they turned it over with six seconds to go. The Predators nearly answered on the final play as they had a long catch and run, but a flag was pulled 15 yards from the goal line. The game ended at 19-25.
This was a difficult loss for the Predators and most likely ended their playoff chances. There is still one game this season and you know the Predators will dust themselves off and get back out onto the field. Next week look for the Predators to mix things up both offensively and defensively. They are looking to go with different personnel at different positions the rest of the way. Defensively they are going to add a two LB, two CB and one S formation. Which is different from their one LB, two CB, and two S look. They will look to combine their White and Red defense into one defense. The defense is designed to help on quick, short routes. They will still have their normal defenses but add a much needed new one. Offensively they will move more into a quick pitch offense utilizing #7 Brown's and #8 Wagar's passing and running abilities. It is also designed to get #2 Long and #45 Price more involved. They both have combine for 10 TD's, but the Predators have not gotten them involved enough. Look for some players to switch sides of the ball because the Predators are going with a new look. The season hasn't gone the way the Predators have hoped. Though breaks, along with a ringer QB, have snowballed the season out of control, but the Predators love to play and will continue to do so, next week, and in the future.
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