Two rounds down...three more to go till we have our 2014 state champion crowned and I think most of us can agree that the field is still wide open on who can take the title. Last week provided us with some thrilling games and I am sure this week will be no different. Since we are getting down to just a few games left each one will have their own highlight along with my prediction. Feel free to agree/disagree on any one of my picks along with any that you may have as well
MMC @ West Bend Mallard
Might be the most aniticipated rematch of the entire season. MMC has played a major gaunlet of games beat up and has somehow came out on top. They look to keep the train rolling as they head east to take on district opponent West Bend who has one big the last two rounds, but also beat MMC in week 9 by the score of 34-13. I expect this game to be a very hard fought game as both teams are oozing with confidence. I feel this game comes down to the wire but I feel West Bend is a tad healthier and it shows down the stretch. They punch their first 8 player ticket to Cedar Falls.
Lamoni @ Fremont Mills
This years unexpected cinderella story Lamoni heads west to take on Fremont Mills. Many people, including myself, didn't count on Lamoni getting this far but they beat a tough Exira-EHK team to earn themselves the right to play one more round. Fremont Mills, many people's pick to win the title this year has been steam rolling teams as of late behind the powerful legs of Spencer Phillips. Only one team has been within 20 points of Fremont this year which was Lenox in week 7. Since that game, Fremont has been winning by an average score of 58-12. As much as I would like to see Lamoni keep going with their season, I feel there is just too much size from Fremont for them to handle all game long. Fremont wears them down and collects their first trip back to the dome since their historic state title run in 2011.
HLV @ Central Elkader
What a game this shapes up to be. HLV coming off a thrilling win over Janesville will be on the road to face a Central Elkader team who has yet to be tested down to the wire. The big question going into this game will be the health of Tanner Strudthoff. One of the teams leading rushers and without a leader for HLV, they will need him healthy to be able to go toe to toe with the states leading scoring offense. Central Elkader on the other hand looks to keep things rolling behind the legs of Nathan Fitzgerald who has ran for an impressive 2200 yards and 40 touchdowns already. Should this game go down to the wire I give the edge to HLV having played a close game already with both Janesville and Don Bosco, however the short week I dont feel gives Strudthoff enough time to rest up and in the end Central Elkader proves to be too much on offense for them to keep up. Centralk with a trip to Cedar Falls.
Newell Fonda @ Don Bosco
What many are saying as the biggest test of the season for Don Bosco as the face quite maybe the hottest team in state right now, Newell Fonda. Since losing their first 3 games of the season, Newell Fonda has won 8 straight by an average of a 50-15 margin against the likes of teams such as Exira-EHK and Coon Rapids Bayard. Don Bosco on the other hand hasn't lost since the 2012 state championship game and is looking to make it back to Cedar Falls for their 3rd consecutive time. This game I feel will be one on the defensive side of the ball. While both teams have shown some explosive offenses as of late, the winner will be the team who can control the line of scrimmage and create turnovers. I feel the depth of Don Bosc allows them to better allow them to be fresh down the stretch which helps them pull this one out in the end and book themselves another short trip north to their home away from home in the dome.
MMC @ West Bend Mallard
Might be the most aniticipated rematch of the entire season. MMC has played a major gaunlet of games beat up and has somehow came out on top. They look to keep the train rolling as they head east to take on district opponent West Bend who has one big the last two rounds, but also beat MMC in week 9 by the score of 34-13. I expect this game to be a very hard fought game as both teams are oozing with confidence. I feel this game comes down to the wire but I feel West Bend is a tad healthier and it shows down the stretch. They punch their first 8 player ticket to Cedar Falls.
Lamoni @ Fremont Mills
This years unexpected cinderella story Lamoni heads west to take on Fremont Mills. Many people, including myself, didn't count on Lamoni getting this far but they beat a tough Exira-EHK team to earn themselves the right to play one more round. Fremont Mills, many people's pick to win the title this year has been steam rolling teams as of late behind the powerful legs of Spencer Phillips. Only one team has been within 20 points of Fremont this year which was Lenox in week 7. Since that game, Fremont has been winning by an average score of 58-12. As much as I would like to see Lamoni keep going with their season, I feel there is just too much size from Fremont for them to handle all game long. Fremont wears them down and collects their first trip back to the dome since their historic state title run in 2011.
HLV @ Central Elkader
What a game this shapes up to be. HLV coming off a thrilling win over Janesville will be on the road to face a Central Elkader team who has yet to be tested down to the wire. The big question going into this game will be the health of Tanner Strudthoff. One of the teams leading rushers and without a leader for HLV, they will need him healthy to be able to go toe to toe with the states leading scoring offense. Central Elkader on the other hand looks to keep things rolling behind the legs of Nathan Fitzgerald who has ran for an impressive 2200 yards and 40 touchdowns already. Should this game go down to the wire I give the edge to HLV having played a close game already with both Janesville and Don Bosco, however the short week I dont feel gives Strudthoff enough time to rest up and in the end Central Elkader proves to be too much on offense for them to keep up. Centralk with a trip to Cedar Falls.
Newell Fonda @ Don Bosco
What many are saying as the biggest test of the season for Don Bosco as the face quite maybe the hottest team in state right now, Newell Fonda. Since losing their first 3 games of the season, Newell Fonda has won 8 straight by an average of a 50-15 margin against the likes of teams such as Exira-EHK and Coon Rapids Bayard. Don Bosco on the other hand hasn't lost since the 2012 state championship game and is looking to make it back to Cedar Falls for their 3rd consecutive time. This game I feel will be one on the defensive side of the ball. While both teams have shown some explosive offenses as of late, the winner will be the team who can control the line of scrimmage and create turnovers. I feel the depth of Don Bosc allows them to better allow them to be fresh down the stretch which helps them pull this one out in the end and book themselves another short trip north to their home away from home in the dome.
