DARLINGTON - If Darlington's chances of winning a gold ball rest on one of the state's most prolific running attacks, the Redbirds will be in good hands.
Darlington junior fullback Myles Leahy is leading the Redbirds with 1,549 rushing yards and 21 TDs. Senior Tanner Wiegel has 1,355 rushing yards, 20 TDs and is averaging 12.3 yards per carry. Junior Jason Singer has rushed for 1,230 yards with 21 TDs and is averaging 10.5 yards per carry. It's a three-pronged attack that is giving defensive coordinators nightmares as the Redbirds roll through the playoffs with their Wing-T offense.
"Tanner and Jason are two of the fastest backs in the state and Myles is a bruiser," Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said. "It's pick your poison."
It's been a historic run for the Redbirds running backs. It's just the sixth time in the state's history that the same team has produced three running backs with 1,000 yards or more all in the same season.
"I didn't know it was so rare to have three 1,000-yard backs," Leahy said.
"It's only the sixth time in the state it has happened and three of them are by Darlington," Singer said. "It just shows the great program, teams and players we have had here."
Singer enjoys being part of a strong tradition of running backs at Darlington, which last played in a state title game in 1997. If the Redbirds beat Shiocton in a WIAA Division 6 state title game Thursday, Nov. 21, it would be the school's fifth state championship.
Each of the running backs has their own strengths, but they have all been successful in creating big plays. Leahy does a lot of the tough running to pick up yards between the tackles. At 215 pounds, he relishes the physical runs.
"When you run the Wing-T, I feel like you have to have someone hammer up there and hit it hard," Leahy said. "I would rather put someone on their back or hit them harder."
The Redbirds also have the luxury of using a big offensive line to jump-start each play. Darlington senior offensive tackle A.J. Brandt at 6-foot-2 and 298 pounds is moved into the backfield as a lead blocker in the Redbirds' big formation. It's an imposing formation for running the ball. Brandt takes pride in the fact that three running backs have eclipsed 1,200 yards this season.
"It just goes to show how good our line has been," Brandt said. "I know if we get them the first four or five yards they can do the rest, hit a home run and take it to the house."
Wiegel trusts that his line will deliver again. He's confident the next big play is right around the corner.
"I always feel if I do my job and the line does their job, I can get a long run for a touchdown," Wiegel said.
The Redbirds are averaging 44.2 points per game and the running backs are looking forward to coming through one more time. Wiegel's family is ordering more tickets because he has more family from Illinois and Minnesota coming to the state title game.
"I'm just happy I get to end my high school football career playing for a state championship and a gold ball," he said.
The Redbirds had high expectations from the start.
"There was a lot of hype coming into the year because of the success we had in the playoffs last year," Leahy said. "Hopefully, we can come out and step up one more time."
Darlington junior fullback Myles Leahy is leading the Redbirds with 1,549 rushing yards and 21 TDs. Senior Tanner Wiegel has 1,355 rushing yards, 20 TDs and is averaging 12.3 yards per carry. Junior Jason Singer has rushed for 1,230 yards with 21 TDs and is averaging 10.5 yards per carry. It's a three-pronged attack that is giving defensive coordinators nightmares as the Redbirds roll through the playoffs with their Wing-T offense.
"Tanner and Jason are two of the fastest backs in the state and Myles is a bruiser," Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said. "It's pick your poison."
It's been a historic run for the Redbirds running backs. It's just the sixth time in the state's history that the same team has produced three running backs with 1,000 yards or more all in the same season.
"I didn't know it was so rare to have three 1,000-yard backs," Leahy said.
"It's only the sixth time in the state it has happened and three of them are by Darlington," Singer said. "It just shows the great program, teams and players we have had here."
Singer enjoys being part of a strong tradition of running backs at Darlington, which last played in a state title game in 1997. If the Redbirds beat Shiocton in a WIAA Division 6 state title game Thursday, Nov. 21, it would be the school's fifth state championship.
Each of the running backs has their own strengths, but they have all been successful in creating big plays. Leahy does a lot of the tough running to pick up yards between the tackles. At 215 pounds, he relishes the physical runs.
"When you run the Wing-T, I feel like you have to have someone hammer up there and hit it hard," Leahy said. "I would rather put someone on their back or hit them harder."
The Redbirds also have the luxury of using a big offensive line to jump-start each play. Darlington senior offensive tackle A.J. Brandt at 6-foot-2 and 298 pounds is moved into the backfield as a lead blocker in the Redbirds' big formation. It's an imposing formation for running the ball. Brandt takes pride in the fact that three running backs have eclipsed 1,200 yards this season.
"It just goes to show how good our line has been," Brandt said. "I know if we get them the first four or five yards they can do the rest, hit a home run and take it to the house."
Wiegel trusts that his line will deliver again. He's confident the next big play is right around the corner.
"I always feel if I do my job and the line does their job, I can get a long run for a touchdown," Wiegel said.
The Redbirds are averaging 44.2 points per game and the running backs are looking forward to coming through one more time. Wiegel's family is ordering more tickets because he has more family from Illinois and Minnesota coming to the state title game.
"I'm just happy I get to end my high school football career playing for a state championship and a gold ball," he said.
The Redbirds had high expectations from the start.
"There was a lot of hype coming into the year because of the success we had in the playoffs last year," Leahy said. "Hopefully, we can come out and step up one more time."
