DARLINGTON - Trying to reach the pinnacle of a sport four straight years has kept Darlington senior running back Hunter Johnson motivated and left him wanting more every year.
The Darlington football team (13-0) faces another showdown with another unbeaten team, Eau Claire Regis, for the WIAA Division 6 state championship Thursday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. This time if the Redbirds win, Darlington would hoist the gold ball for the first time since winning a state title in 1995.
"It would be great to bring home the gold ball," Johnson said. "We have brought home three silvers. It's not enough to make you feel satisfied until we bring home the gold ball."
The Redbirds ousted top-ranked Fond du Lac St. Mary's Springs in the state semifinals last week. The Ledgers had defeated Darlington in the past two Division 6 title games.
Darlington has a high-powered offense that is averaging 54 points per game. The Redbirds have a three-pronged rushing attack led by Johnson, who has rushed for 2,069 yards with 41 TDs, was named first-team All-State at running back and was named the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association's Offensive Player of the Year. He's averaging 159 rushing yards per game and 13 yards per carry. Hunter's cousin, Trevor Johnson, has rushed for 1,111 yards with 16 TDs, and Tyler Mosley (605 rushing yards and 5 TDs) has been a fixture in the backfield.
The Redbirds are averaging 371.6 rushing yards per game. Regis coach Bryant Brenner understands that the Ramblers will have their hands full trying to slow down the Redbirds' prolific ground game.
"It's kind of like climbing Mount Everest," Brenner said. "I don't know if you will be able to stop them. We might have to be satisfied with them getting halfway up the mountain. Hopefully, we can contain them somewhat. Those two backs are dynamite. I don't know if there are any teams capable of stopping them when you put them in combination with their huge offensive line. I think Darlington is one of the best teams in the state regardless of division. When I look at them on film they are like a good Division 1 or 2 football team."
The Redbirds' defense has five shutouts this year and has been given up just 6.6 points per game. Darlington has forced 31 turnovers, an average of 2.3 turnovers per game. The Redbirds have 20 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries. Seniors Hunter Johnson and Bradyen McDonald each have a team-high four interceptions.
Darlington senior linebacker Jesse Sturtz leads the Redbirds with 62 tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss.
"Most of us are privileged," Sturtz said. "Not many people get to step out on that field at Camp Randall. It's a great feeling coming out and everyone looking down on you. It's just crazy."
Fellow linebacker Jared Meister has 49 tackles and senior Hayden Hardyman has 44 tackles and three sacks this year. Senior Josh Weaver leads the Redbirds with four sacks.
The Ramblers run a double-wing, double-tight balanced offense that averages 39 points per game.
The Redbirds' senior-dominated secondary will be challenged by Regis quarterback Paul Petit, who has passed for 1,317 yards with 21 TDs and five interceptions this season. The top receiver for the Ramblers is Samuel Forden, a player who moved from Rhode Island, who has 26 receptions for 600 yards and 10 TDs.
The Redbirds are allowing quarterbacks to complete just 40 percent of their passes this year.
"Our secondary is one of the best we have had here in a long time," Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said. "They (Regis) are very athletic and that is one of the things that jumps out on the screen. They will pull guards and tackles and run traps and counters."
The Ramblers are led on the ground by Noel Ortiz, who has 1,058 rushing yards and 11 TDs this year.
"They pull a lot of linemen," Sturtz said. "We have to be able to get off blocks and make the tackle. It will be a physical game. We have to be gap and assignment sound. We know we just have to do our jobs. That has happened in the conference and all the way through the playoffs."
When Regis passes the ball, Meister said they like to throw the home run ball deep. Hunter Johnson isn't just focused on shutting down the explosive plays Forden can make in the passing game.
"We have five good defensive backs," he said. "I think we will be very big in stopping the run as well as the pass."
Zywicki has had the team focus on some different areas leading up to this year's state championship game compared to previous years.
"We are spending a little more time watching film and doing a little more in the way of walk-throughs to make sure we are aware of our assignments," he said. "I just think we are paying a little more attention to the details this year because Regis obviously runs an offense that is unique. There is a lot of pulling and trapping. We want to make sure our kids are in position to make plays."
Trevor Johnson is looking to close out his prep football career at Camp Randall Stadium.
"There are not many high schoolers who will get to go to state in their sport all four years," he said. "It's a great opportunity and a great place to end it."
The Darlington football team (13-0) faces another showdown with another unbeaten team, Eau Claire Regis, for the WIAA Division 6 state championship Thursday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. This time if the Redbirds win, Darlington would hoist the gold ball for the first time since winning a state title in 1995.
"It would be great to bring home the gold ball," Johnson said. "We have brought home three silvers. It's not enough to make you feel satisfied until we bring home the gold ball."
The Redbirds ousted top-ranked Fond du Lac St. Mary's Springs in the state semifinals last week. The Ledgers had defeated Darlington in the past two Division 6 title games.
Darlington has a high-powered offense that is averaging 54 points per game. The Redbirds have a three-pronged rushing attack led by Johnson, who has rushed for 2,069 yards with 41 TDs, was named first-team All-State at running back and was named the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association's Offensive Player of the Year. He's averaging 159 rushing yards per game and 13 yards per carry. Hunter's cousin, Trevor Johnson, has rushed for 1,111 yards with 16 TDs, and Tyler Mosley (605 rushing yards and 5 TDs) has been a fixture in the backfield.
The Redbirds are averaging 371.6 rushing yards per game. Regis coach Bryant Brenner understands that the Ramblers will have their hands full trying to slow down the Redbirds' prolific ground game.
"It's kind of like climbing Mount Everest," Brenner said. "I don't know if you will be able to stop them. We might have to be satisfied with them getting halfway up the mountain. Hopefully, we can contain them somewhat. Those two backs are dynamite. I don't know if there are any teams capable of stopping them when you put them in combination with their huge offensive line. I think Darlington is one of the best teams in the state regardless of division. When I look at them on film they are like a good Division 1 or 2 football team."
The Redbirds' defense has five shutouts this year and has been given up just 6.6 points per game. Darlington has forced 31 turnovers, an average of 2.3 turnovers per game. The Redbirds have 20 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries. Seniors Hunter Johnson and Bradyen McDonald each have a team-high four interceptions.
Darlington senior linebacker Jesse Sturtz leads the Redbirds with 62 tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss.
"Most of us are privileged," Sturtz said. "Not many people get to step out on that field at Camp Randall. It's a great feeling coming out and everyone looking down on you. It's just crazy."
Fellow linebacker Jared Meister has 49 tackles and senior Hayden Hardyman has 44 tackles and three sacks this year. Senior Josh Weaver leads the Redbirds with four sacks.
The Ramblers run a double-wing, double-tight balanced offense that averages 39 points per game.
The Redbirds' senior-dominated secondary will be challenged by Regis quarterback Paul Petit, who has passed for 1,317 yards with 21 TDs and five interceptions this season. The top receiver for the Ramblers is Samuel Forden, a player who moved from Rhode Island, who has 26 receptions for 600 yards and 10 TDs.
The Redbirds are allowing quarterbacks to complete just 40 percent of their passes this year.
"Our secondary is one of the best we have had here in a long time," Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said. "They (Regis) are very athletic and that is one of the things that jumps out on the screen. They will pull guards and tackles and run traps and counters."
The Ramblers are led on the ground by Noel Ortiz, who has 1,058 rushing yards and 11 TDs this year.
"They pull a lot of linemen," Sturtz said. "We have to be able to get off blocks and make the tackle. It will be a physical game. We have to be gap and assignment sound. We know we just have to do our jobs. That has happened in the conference and all the way through the playoffs."
When Regis passes the ball, Meister said they like to throw the home run ball deep. Hunter Johnson isn't just focused on shutting down the explosive plays Forden can make in the passing game.
"We have five good defensive backs," he said. "I think we will be very big in stopping the run as well as the pass."
Zywicki has had the team focus on some different areas leading up to this year's state championship game compared to previous years.
"We are spending a little more time watching film and doing a little more in the way of walk-throughs to make sure we are aware of our assignments," he said. "I just think we are paying a little more attention to the details this year because Regis obviously runs an offense that is unique. There is a lot of pulling and trapping. We want to make sure our kids are in position to make plays."
Trevor Johnson is looking to close out his prep football career at Camp Randall Stadium.
"There are not many high schoolers who will get to go to state in their sport all four years," he said. "It's a great opportunity and a great place to end it."
