When asked to describe the state-ranked Blair Oaks Falcons offense, Fulton Hornets head coach Pat Kelley had an interesting choice of words.
"They're different," Kelley said during Tuesday afternoon's practice. "From an offensive standpoint, (they remind me) a lot of Moberly and a little of Boonville."
No. 2 seed Blair Oaks (8-2) will present much more of a balanced and formidable opposition for No. 3 Fulton (6-4) when the two teams lock up in a Class 3, District 6 semifinal clash tonight in Wardsville. Kickoff is at 7. In Friday night's other District 6 encounter, top-seeded California (10-0) - ranked No. 2 - is at home against No. 5 seed Southern Boone (4-6).
The Falcons - ranked No. 8 in the state - blew by No. 7 seed Boonville 37-7 in quarterfinal play last week behind an offense that outgained the Pirates in total yardage, 436-113.
Where many of the opposing offenses the Hornets have faced sprinkle in pass plays with their otherwise run-heavy schemes, Blair Oaks is effective doing both. And that offensive flexibility makes the Falcons - averaging 379 total yards and 37 points per game - a team that Fulton will need to defend with all hands on deck.
Blair Oaks junior quarterback Jordan Hair is completing 50.9 percent of his passes - 88-of-173 - for 1,370 yards, 14 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. Hair's size (5-foot-7, 160 pounds) and escapability is similar to that of Eldon's Austin Kempker, who Fulton saw in last week's 65-28 quarterfinal dismantling of the No. 6 seed Mustangs.
Hair is adept at keeping the ball on the option - much the same way as Hornets senior quarterback Sam Christensen - and has four rushing touchdowns, despite gaining just 83 yards on 57 carries.
"(Hair) is not afraid to keep it, plant his foot and go up inside," Kelley said.
Hair's rushing totals don't stand out, but those of his two senior running backs certainly do. Caleb Bischoff (5-10, 185) paces the Falcons with 964 yards (6.4 average) and a team-leading 15 touchdowns.
Dominic Jamerson (6-0, 185) possesses big-play ability, carrying the ball just 29 times for 359 yards - a whopping 12.4 average - and four scores. Kelley believes Blair Oaks' offense is at its best when Jamerson is in it.
(Jamerson) is hard to tackle," Kelley said. "You think he's a speed guy, but if you watch a few plays, he likes to lower his shoulder as well."
Senior Mikel Drehle (6-0, 180) leads the Falcons' receiving corp with 36 catches for 644 yards (17.9) and eight touchdowns.
"(Blair Oaks) has more skill (on offense) than anybody, just with what they have," Kelley said. "When you talk about spreading it out and running a spread kind of offense, they are as versatile as anyone we've seen."
Similar to Fulton up front, the Falcons' offensive line doesn't have an abundance of size, but Kelley notes that it compensates with tenacious blocking.
"They're athletic and they're quick, and they get after you," Kelley said. "They're probably better than us at staying on blocks; once they get on you, you're going to be blocked."
Kelley has preached assignment football to his 4-4 defense all season and the concept will be just as pertinent tonight.
"They're probably the most balanced team we've seen with both the pass and the run," Kelley said. "They have a couple of receivers who can go up and get it; you have to be awake in all facets."
The Hornets' offense - coming off a season-high 571 total yards against Eldon - will try to continue that upswing against a Blair Oaks defense Kelley called "solid" more than a few times.
Much the same way Eldon did, the Falcons run a 3-5-3 alignment that yields just 172 total yards per game.
Blair Oaks' three down linemen are stout, creating pressure and collapsing opposing pockets without a whole lot of line stunting, according to Kelley.
"They get into people; they maintain control of the line," Kelley said.
He noted that the Falcons' linebackers are among the best Fulton has run up against all season. Meanwhile, Blair Oaks' athleticism in the secondary reminds Kelley of Mexico's defensive backs.
The Hornets' offensive line wore down Eldon last week, as Fulton scored on its final nine possessions and rushed for a season-high 391 yards. The Hornets will attempt to put up comparable statistics against a Falcons defense that has given up just 1,045 yards on the ground this season.
"We had some huge holes (against Eldon) and running the zone, we had the wall pushing people back," Kelley said.
Tonight's game is the first-ever meeting between Fulton and Blair Oaks, separated by a little less than 35 miles. The Falcons' move up to Class 3 this season and addition to the district made the matchup possible.
But Blair Oaks represents just another chance for Kelley and the Hornets to prove their mettle in a district the head coach feels could be one of the toughest in the state.
"If you look at (our district), the second-ranked team in the state is seeded first and the eighth-ranked team in the state is the second seed," Kelley said. "It's awful tough and we knew that coming in. You feel fortunate that you have the opportunity."