HNS, Wynot set for big District battle
This Week
Wynot (2-3, 1-1) at
Hartington-Newcastle (3-2, 1-1)
Last week
Hartington-Newcastle lost 34-28 in overtime against Allen
Wynot lost 33-6 at Randolph
Both teams head into this potential momentum-building contest off the back end of big losses that came in totally opposite ways.
For the Devils, it was an eye-opening setback at Randolph as they never got going, trailing 27-0 after three quarters and cementing their first Dist. 3 loss.
As for Hartington-Newcastle, the Wildcats and head coach Cory Uldrich dropped a back-and-forth affair in overtime, befitting of a game coached by a son against his father.
Now, this game means a chance to move to 2-1 in district play and enhance playoff potential seedings, while a loss could set a team toward a brutal road game to start the postseason.
Head coach Steve Heimes was happy with some things he saw in his Blue Devils’ loss, but in the end the mistakes showed the justifiable result.
“Just too many mental mistakes,” Heimes said. “From some of the turnovers, to the penalties that killed us, to assignment football. Every time we had something going good, we made some mistake that stopped a drive. Defensively, we were in position and didn’t make a play.”
The Wildcats got an impressive performance out of quarterback Shaye Morten (192 yards passing, three touchdowns) and Kobe Heitman (104 yards rushing, one touchdown and 96 yards receiving with two scores).
“We didn’t change a lot of what we did, but we made it an emphasis to get Kobe more carries,” Uldrich said. “When they stared keying on Kobe, Shaye made some really good reads and found a lot of space on the backside in a counter situation.”
After a slow start in the passing game, Morten got heated up as the game went along.
“Our offensive line also played really well and blocked really well,” Uldrich said. “There were not a lot of negative plays.”
The loss against Allen and Dave Uldrich was quite the page turner for the family scrap book.
“They came out and punched us in the mouth when they scored on their first drive and made it look pretty easy,” Cory said. “It was back-and-forth and was tied at 28 with 1:15 left in the ball game and debated about kicking or going for two and we went for two and missed it.”
The Wildcats’ possession in overtime turned into an empty one and Allen won it two plays later.
“They took it to us early, but I think we responded well,” Uldrich said. “It was a really good football game. We just came up a play short. I don’t think it will be a deflating loss. Our kids realize that a loss to a team like that, where we had an opportunity to win it, shows we are right on the doorstep. Allen is a good football team that’s going to win a lot of games in the playoffs.”
It’s the kind of attitude a team needs heading into a pivotal contest like this one.
“Looking at the big picture, you want to host in the playoffs, things like that, so we are going to have to win the next two and maybe beat Bloomfield, but the next two for sure.”
Last year, the Wildcats broke out to a 25-0 lead before barely holding on to beat the Blue Devils in what is considered quite the showdown.
“It’s a natural rivalry,” Uldrich said. “We know we are going to get their best shot. Their kids will be motivated to play, and they are well coached, so they will have something for us.”
He should know considering Uldrich student taught under his mentor Heimes.
“Cory and I have known each other a long time. We think a lot of the same ways on offense. It will be a good game, but you can’t make mistakes.
“Our offensive and defensive line has more size and may be stronger up front. They are probably more athletic at their skill positions, a little faster. It’s an evenly matched up game.”
No matter the result, this game will resonate within both communities.
“It’s always a big game,” Heimes said. “All the kids know each other from school, with us being so close to town. As far as district goes, a win here is a big stepping stone.”
C2-District 3
Cedar Catholic (3-3)
at Crofton (1-5, 1-1)
Last week
Cedar Catholic won at Norfolk Catholic, 34-7
Crofton won 29-13 at Stanton
The Trojans are building like a slow burn as they moved to 2-0 in district play with a methodical win at Norfolk Catholic and now should be heavily favored to clinch at least a winning record in district play as they take on Crofton.
However, the Trojans will play a team brimming with confidence after Crofton captured its first win, with a 29-13 win at Stanton, so no easy Cedar Catholic win should be taken for granted.
“It is always a battle,” Cedar Catholic head coach Chad Cattau said. “We know we will get their best effort every year, and so we need to make sure we are ready to play at a high level. Their record is very deceiving compared to how good they can play. They have played a very difficult schedule and they have shown great improvement during that time.
“They have a great ability to run the ball, and they have been successful on the ground each game this year. We have to be ready to play great defense and limit their opportunities. It will be a fun game for our kids, and I am excited to see how we respond after our win this past Friday.”
Cattau saw running back Jacob Keiser come off being cleared to play Thursday to run for 256 yards on 24 carries and three touchdowns in the Norfolk Catholic win as he was back to full speed and then some.
“Our plan was to give him about 10-15 carries, but he got into a rhythm so we continued to ride that momentum,” Cattau said. “He brings us a different level of play for our offense because he can score from anywhere on the field. Other teams must always know where he is on the field. His abilities should help open up some things for other running backs and our throwing game as well. We need to be very smart about doing what we can to keep him as healthy as we can the rest of the season.”
D1-District 5
Laurel-Concord-Coleridge
(4-1, 1-1) at
Lutheran Northeast (3-2, 1-1)
Last week
LCC beat Madison, 68-29
Lutheran NE def.
Elkhorn Valley, 40-12
Quarterback Ty Erwin and receiver Noah Schutte really found their relationship blooming last week against Madison as the Bears’ pass-catch tandem connected on five touchdowns.
The scary thing about the Bears win was that they trailed 13-8 at the end of the first quarter until they awoke with a big second quarter.
Erwin finished 11-for-25 with 161 yards passing and the five touchdowns. Schutte had eight of those catches for 154 of the team’s receiving yards.
Two TDs from Erwin to Schutte were accompanied by an Austin Brandt scoring run and a Schutte pick six, along with a blocked punt recovered in the end zone.
Just like that Laurel led 44-13 at the break.
Brandt finished with 55 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. Evan Haisch added 40 yards on the ground.
“We didn’t start out very well with-it being Homecoming week and we were in a Homecoming funk,” Bears head coach Pat Arens said. “We didn’t execute and were missing blocks and tackles. We were very undisciplined. In the second half, we kind of let up and didn’t play as well. We are still learning how to compete and finish teams.
“Madison is a good team. They are young and have some nice size. They will be a good team in the future.”
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