Wildcats, Blue Devils will tee it up here

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.”