PLAYOFF PREVIEW ARTICLE The Polar Bears clinched the #1 overall seed in the OHSAA Playoffs when they defeated Gibsonburg on Friday, October 24th in come from behind fashion 9-6. With the #1 seed in 2025 playoffs came a 1st round bye last week which is much different than past playoff experiences. The Polar Bears practiced last week and had an in person look at their opponent this week, the Carey Blue Devils. Carey the #9 seed, went on the road last week to Patrick Henry and took down the #8 seed 16-7. When speaking with Coach Quisno about last week he said, “It was new territory for everyone. We had a week off, and it was a good time for us to heal up. Gave us time to go back to work on some individual skill work that we haven’t worked on in a while. It did give us a chance to go to Patrick Henry and gave us a chance to go to Patrick Henry. Lot of our kids made the trip as well, so they understand what we are up against now.” Carey features a powerful rushing game that thrives from being able to play in front of the chains on early downs. The Blue Devils have rushed for over 2,700 yards this season and 33 touchdowns on the ground. Coach Quisno said the key for the Polar Bears defense will be, “We have to stick to our motto like we have all year long, we want to play “fast, and physical. Their running backs are all 200 pounds and they run hard, and they block well.” The Blue Devils are led on the ground by Running Back Mace Puckett who has carried it 196 times this year for 1,153 yards and 8 touchdowns. Dash Puckett has carried the ball 95 times for 822 yards and 10 touchdowns. When talking about the trio of backs Coach Quisno mentioned, “That is important that we play fundamental football and maintain our gaps. We can’t get out of position; we have to get off blocks and tackle well. We have to make them earn things and avoid giving up the big play”. Carey lost their best running back Eli Steen to an injury in a week 1 loss to Hopewell Loudon, but Steen has since returned to the line-up for the Blue Devils. Steel rushed for 69 yards in last week’s victory over Patrick Henry. For the Polar Bears, balance is key. Margaretta has always wanted to run the ball when we want to and throw on our terms. That doesn’t change on Friday night. Coach Quisno said the Green & White must do, “Picking up first downs will be key to keep their offense off the field. We have to mix things up offensively. Being able to establish a consistent run game, to open up the play action pass will be important. If we can avoid the negative plays that put us behind the sticks, we like our chances.” Margaretta had 3 turnovers against the Gibsonburg Golden Bears in their week 10 victory, Coach Quisno said that can’t repeat it self if the Polar Bears want a shot at playing week 12. Coach Quisno had this to say about playing at The Duck Pond Friday night in a home playoff game for the first time since 2002, “The kids are excited, we had a great week of practice, and the kids know exactly what we have to do after watching Carey last week. The community has been tremendous; the support our program has received has been second to none. After the Gibsonburg game when we won the SBC Championship just watching all our fans come onto the field and congratulate our players and coaches was really neat!”