Hakushuu as an opponent was sort of building at least since selection day but somehow they could have prepared for this game better. As it stands, the key for Deimon to win this game is "Sena must run past Gaoh and Marco and just get touchdowns while the line holds off the defense". With Kisaragi down, at least Monta has a better chance to catch the ball but who knows if Sena even has the arm to get it to him. And of course even if he does get past Gaoh, remember Marco's ability, literally walling you until you realize you don't even have the ball anymore.
While interested in where this is going, I wish the mangaka could of at least found a way for the team to handle a game without Hiruma. That way it wouldn't just be "copy Hakushuu and hope Gaoh doesn't crush me or Marco doesn't steal the ball for another TD".