DARLINGTON - The Darlington football team is one step away from returning to Camp Randall Stadium to play in a state championship game for the third straight year.
Darlington (12-0) rolls into a WIAA Division 6 state semifinal against Melrose-Mindoro (10-2) at 7 p.m. Friday in Middleton one win away from a chance to claim a gold ball.
"As people say it's about the journey," Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said. "We are taking one more journey together. We don't know if we will make it to state. It won't be because of a lack of effort."
How Did They Get Here
Darlington: Darlington, ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press small school state poll and a No. 1 seed, defeated Pardeeville 42-0 in a first-round game and rolled to a 55-28 win over Mineral Point in a second-round game. The Redbirds then topped Cambridge 28-7 in a state quarterfinal game.
Melrose-Mindoro: The Mustangs rolled to a 40-0 win over Cochrane-Fountain City in a first-round playoff game. Melrose-Mindoro then knocked off Brookwood 32-14 in a second-round game. The Mustangs rallied from a 10-point deficit to stun Pecatonica-Argyle 21-17 in a state quarterfinal game last week.
Common Opponents
There are no common opponents between the two teams. Melrose-Mindoro, a No. 3 seed, was the Dairyland Conference co-champion with Eleva-Strum. The last time Darlington played Melrose-Mindoro was in a first-round playoff game in 2013 and the Redbirds thumped the Mustangs 42-0.
Offensive sets
Melrose-Mindoro: The Mustangs run a high-powered spread offense that relies on putting the ball in the air. The Mustangs are averaging 16.8 passes per game and 32 points per game.
Melrose-Mindoro quarterback Sam Boone has passed for 2,237 yards with 26 TDs and just four interceptions this year. He's averaging 186 yards passing per game and 10.8 yards per completion.
"He (Boone) will cause a sleepless night or two this week," Zywicki said. "With his ability to escape the pocket and make plays, you can't stay with them (receivers) that long. We can't let him get out of the pocket and extend plays."
Melrose-Mindoro running back Erik Christopherson is a dual threat as a runner and receiver. Christopherson has rushed for 714 yards and seven touchdowns. He has 40 receptions for 753 yards and five touchdowns.
Aaron Scafe is Melrose-Mindoro's leading wide receiver with 42 receptions for 804 yards and 13 TDs. The Mustangs have several playmakers at wide receiver, including Devon Christopherson (17-220 and three touchdowns).
"The one thing about Melrose is they didn't get rattled," Zywicki said of the Mustangs' state quarterfinal game against Pecatonica-Argyle. They did what they do best, which is throwing the ball."
Darlington: The Redbirds' prolific wing-T offense is averaging 45.4 ppg and 291 rushing yards per game. Darlington junior Hunter Johnson has rushed for 2,058 yards and 36 TDs. With 992 yards and 17 TDs, Hunter's cousin, Trevor Johnson offers another threat in the backfield. Darlington will lean on a bigger offensive line to set the tone with Hunter Johnson averaging 167 rushing yards per game and an astonishing 12.9 yards per carry.
Darlington senior fullback Conrad Blosch is also closing in on 1,000 rushing yards with 969 yards and six touchdowns.
Darlington junior quarterback Jared Meister has passed for 684 yards and nine touchdowns this season.
"He has the ability to make a play," Zywicki said of Meister. "He's matured as a quarterback. His reads have gotten better. Early on in the year everything was a line drive pass. Now, he has learned to put some air under the deep ball. I think he is throwing a catchable football for our kids."
Defensive sets
Melrose-Mindoro: The Mustangs run a 4-4 defense with four down linemen and four linebackers and at times a 5-2 defense that has posted five shutouts this year.
Against Pecatonica-Argyle in the state quarterfinals, the Vikings rushed for 215 total yards against the Mustangs. If Melrose-Mindoro doesn't stiffen up against the run, it will be a challenge against the Redbirds, who average 291 rushing yards per game.
"Even though Pec-Argyle was probably the more physical team up front, they (Melrose-Mindoro) made them earn everything and eliminated the big plays," Zywicki said.
The Redbirds run some of the same running plays as Pecatonica-Argyle.
"It's a double-edged sword," Zywicki said. "The benefit is you see how they will play you. They have seen some of the plays now and can get comfortable facing them."
Teammate Sam Higley has proven tough to block with 81 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and two sacks this season. Scafe has 72 tackles and a team-best four interceptions.
Darlington: The Redbirds are expected to use a zone coverage to start against the Mustangs' spread offense.
"If we are playing well we will stay in zone," Zywicki said. "If we are picked apart we are not going to just sit back. Plan B could be blitzing the heck out of him. If we are having any problems in zone than it's pressure time."
The Redbirds have thrived forcing turnovers, creating an average of 2.8 turnovers per game. The Redbirds have forced 22 interceptions and recovered 12 fumbles this year. Darlington junior Brayden McDonald leads the team with nine interceptions.
"We encourage aggressive play," Zywicki said. "I don't want them to worry about making mistakes. If we can cause some more turnovers it's demoralizing for the other team."
Darlington junior Hayden Hardyman has 74 tackles with four fumble recoveries, and senior Taylor Evenstad has 38 tackles and two sacks. Junior linebacker Jesse Sturtz is second on the team with 63 tackles.
Prediction
Darlington is destined to face Fond du Lac Saint Mary's Springs in a rematch of last year's state championship game. The Redbirds are clicking on all cylinders and won't be denied.
Darlington 42
Melrose-Mindoro 14
Darlington (12-0) rolls into a WIAA Division 6 state semifinal against Melrose-Mindoro (10-2) at 7 p.m. Friday in Middleton one win away from a chance to claim a gold ball.
"As people say it's about the journey," Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said. "We are taking one more journey together. We don't know if we will make it to state. It won't be because of a lack of effort."
How Did They Get Here
Darlington: Darlington, ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press small school state poll and a No. 1 seed, defeated Pardeeville 42-0 in a first-round game and rolled to a 55-28 win over Mineral Point in a second-round game. The Redbirds then topped Cambridge 28-7 in a state quarterfinal game.
Melrose-Mindoro: The Mustangs rolled to a 40-0 win over Cochrane-Fountain City in a first-round playoff game. Melrose-Mindoro then knocked off Brookwood 32-14 in a second-round game. The Mustangs rallied from a 10-point deficit to stun Pecatonica-Argyle 21-17 in a state quarterfinal game last week.
Common Opponents
There are no common opponents between the two teams. Melrose-Mindoro, a No. 3 seed, was the Dairyland Conference co-champion with Eleva-Strum. The last time Darlington played Melrose-Mindoro was in a first-round playoff game in 2013 and the Redbirds thumped the Mustangs 42-0.
Offensive sets
Melrose-Mindoro: The Mustangs run a high-powered spread offense that relies on putting the ball in the air. The Mustangs are averaging 16.8 passes per game and 32 points per game.
Melrose-Mindoro quarterback Sam Boone has passed for 2,237 yards with 26 TDs and just four interceptions this year. He's averaging 186 yards passing per game and 10.8 yards per completion.
"He (Boone) will cause a sleepless night or two this week," Zywicki said. "With his ability to escape the pocket and make plays, you can't stay with them (receivers) that long. We can't let him get out of the pocket and extend plays."
Melrose-Mindoro running back Erik Christopherson is a dual threat as a runner and receiver. Christopherson has rushed for 714 yards and seven touchdowns. He has 40 receptions for 753 yards and five touchdowns.
Aaron Scafe is Melrose-Mindoro's leading wide receiver with 42 receptions for 804 yards and 13 TDs. The Mustangs have several playmakers at wide receiver, including Devon Christopherson (17-220 and three touchdowns).
"The one thing about Melrose is they didn't get rattled," Zywicki said of the Mustangs' state quarterfinal game against Pecatonica-Argyle. They did what they do best, which is throwing the ball."
Darlington: The Redbirds' prolific wing-T offense is averaging 45.4 ppg and 291 rushing yards per game. Darlington junior Hunter Johnson has rushed for 2,058 yards and 36 TDs. With 992 yards and 17 TDs, Hunter's cousin, Trevor Johnson offers another threat in the backfield. Darlington will lean on a bigger offensive line to set the tone with Hunter Johnson averaging 167 rushing yards per game and an astonishing 12.9 yards per carry.
Darlington senior fullback Conrad Blosch is also closing in on 1,000 rushing yards with 969 yards and six touchdowns.
Darlington junior quarterback Jared Meister has passed for 684 yards and nine touchdowns this season.
"He has the ability to make a play," Zywicki said of Meister. "He's matured as a quarterback. His reads have gotten better. Early on in the year everything was a line drive pass. Now, he has learned to put some air under the deep ball. I think he is throwing a catchable football for our kids."
Defensive sets
Melrose-Mindoro: The Mustangs run a 4-4 defense with four down linemen and four linebackers and at times a 5-2 defense that has posted five shutouts this year.
Against Pecatonica-Argyle in the state quarterfinals, the Vikings rushed for 215 total yards against the Mustangs. If Melrose-Mindoro doesn't stiffen up against the run, it will be a challenge against the Redbirds, who average 291 rushing yards per game.
"Even though Pec-Argyle was probably the more physical team up front, they (Melrose-Mindoro) made them earn everything and eliminated the big plays," Zywicki said.
The Redbirds run some of the same running plays as Pecatonica-Argyle.
"It's a double-edged sword," Zywicki said. "The benefit is you see how they will play you. They have seen some of the plays now and can get comfortable facing them."
Teammate Sam Higley has proven tough to block with 81 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and two sacks this season. Scafe has 72 tackles and a team-best four interceptions.
Darlington: The Redbirds are expected to use a zone coverage to start against the Mustangs' spread offense.
"If we are playing well we will stay in zone," Zywicki said. "If we are picked apart we are not going to just sit back. Plan B could be blitzing the heck out of him. If we are having any problems in zone than it's pressure time."
The Redbirds have thrived forcing turnovers, creating an average of 2.8 turnovers per game. The Redbirds have forced 22 interceptions and recovered 12 fumbles this year. Darlington junior Brayden McDonald leads the team with nine interceptions.
"We encourage aggressive play," Zywicki said. "I don't want them to worry about making mistakes. If we can cause some more turnovers it's demoralizing for the other team."
Darlington junior Hayden Hardyman has 74 tackles with four fumble recoveries, and senior Taylor Evenstad has 38 tackles and two sacks. Junior linebacker Jesse Sturtz is second on the team with 63 tackles.
Prediction
Darlington is destined to face Fond du Lac Saint Mary's Springs in a rematch of last year's state championship game. The Redbirds are clicking on all cylinders and won't be denied.
Darlington 42
Melrose-Mindoro 14
