2019 Arkansas State vs Life

Cage Match: ASU-Life Midfield

Cage Match: ASU-Life Midfield

A look at a special positional matchup in LIfe vs Arkansas State.

Feb 14, 2019 by Alex Goff
Miss Pass: Life Has A Target On Its Back

Will the #1 vs #9 collision between Arkansas State and Life be decided in the midfield?

With Life head coach Colton Cariaga sliding Mitch Wilson in at outside center from fullback, this sets up an intriguing clash with All American Red Wolf Zach Young. 

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Wilson is smaller, than Young but very wiry and almost impossible to line up and just crash into. He slips, wriggles, and fights his way out of contact in a way that gives his support—especially his forwards— time.

Young is a more straight-ahead runner who will gladly overpower you if you dare him to. Watch for there to be a direct battle between the two as they try to shut down the other's unique style.


And it's interesting to note that both have changed position recently. Wilson has played plenty in the #13 jersey, but putting him at fullback is a tradeoff. You give him more space, and the ability, as co-captain, to see the field and help his backs. But in the slightly tighter confines of outside center, he can serve as a distributor and exploit his teammates' talents.

For Young, he has been playing a lot of inside center for Arkansas State simply because the 9-10-12 connection for the Red Wolves has been inexperienced, and his knowledge, athleticism, and leadership have been needed.

But ASU head coach Blake White says his halfback combination is a little more comfortable, and that has allowed Young—a quiet, perhaps even reluctant, leader—to slide out to outside center, and attack in more space.

Is this the battle then? Or is it in the interior backs to see who gets quicker ball to these superb talents? What if Life flips the script again and puts Harley Wheeler at outside center?


That could happen, and if you see that, then it will be less of a cage match, or a chess match, and more of a game of chicken. We'll see who blinks first.