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Friday, March 29, 2024
The Observer

Griffins face Angry Mob for playoffs

Stanford will take on O’Neill in a pivotal game for two teams battling for a spot in the playoffs Sunday at Riehle Fields.

Interhall Graphic
Mary McGraw | The Observer
Stanford (2-1) has shown significant improvement from a winless campaign in 2013, despite a season-opening 3-0 loss against Keenan. In week two, the Griffins secured a 9-8 win against Dillon to snap their seven-game losing streak. Stanford then topped the defending champions, Keough, to move into second place in the division.

“Our team is pretty well balanced this year,” Stanford junior captain Dan Babiak said. “We are able to move the ball in the air and on the ground. On defense, we've been able to adapt to other teams’ formations and tendencies very well.”

Defense might prove to be a key factor in this matchup, as Stanford allows an average of 6.33 points per game, while O’Neill holds an average of 11.

Having started off the season with a victory against Keough, O’Neill (1-2) has struggled since, suffering losses against Keenan and Dillon, the latter of which the Angry Mob lost by a single point. With the decreased practice time because of midterm week and fall break, the Angry Mob face an uphill battle to grab the upset, O'Neill senior captain Donghoon Lee said.

“We’ve had an uneven season so far, but we are on the cusp of unleashing our potential as an offensive juggernaut,” Lee said.

The Angry Mob average six points per game, but have scored just six points over the last two weeks, including a 20-0 shutout loss to Keenan.

Both teams have been awaiting this matchup over fall break, as there are high stakes on the line. O’Neill must win to keep any chance of a playoff spot alive, while Stanford will secure a playoff spot with a win.

“We’re in a position where we control our own future. We know that a win gets us into the playoffs and I’m pretty sure everyone is hungry for a shot to win it all,” Babiak said.

Stanford and O’Neill will face off at Riehle Fields on Sunday at 2:15 p.m.