DARLINGTON - For the Darlington football team to get another chance to play at Martens Field in the WIAA Division 5 playoffs, today's first-round game against Palmyra-Eagle brings a sense of urgency.
If the Redbirds beat the Panthers, they likely would face Pardeeville in the second round. And if they meet that challenge, things don't get any easier for Darlington (8-1). The Redbirds then likely would have to upset Lancaster in Level 3 and the either Saint Mary's Springs, Fond du Lac, or last year's Division 5 state runner-up Cedar Grove Belgium in the next round.
"There will be no flukes on the way to the state finals," Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said. "Every game is a must-win game at this point."
In addition to Lancaster, Saint Mary's Springs and Cedar Grove, the Division 5 playoff field includes, Brillion and last year's state champion Colby.
Zywicki is focused on beating Palmyra-Eagle (5-4). The Redbirds are playing their first-round playoff game on the road because Martens Field doesn't have lights, he said.
"We have worked very hard to get to this point," Zywicki said. "They are an excellent football team. It's always nice to be rewarded with a team we feel we can compete with and beat if we perform like we are capable."
Darlington junior quarterback Alex Erickson, who has racked up 1,482 total yards - 835 rushing yards, 647 passing yards and 24 touchdowns - spearheads a Redbirds offense that averages 38 points per game.
"He is usually very smart making his reads," Zywicki said. "He's very gifted athletically. He does a lot of the little things to help you that fans don't see. I have no doubts that he will come through in the playoffs."
The Redbirds have several other playmakers to support Erickson. Junior Tucker Wiegel is a dual-threat by running and catching the ball out of the backfield. Wiegel has rushed for 450 yards this year and scored six touchdowns. He caught 14 passes for 221 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Trynton Schwartz has 11 receptions for 234 yards and four touchdowns.
Darlington senior fullback Aaron Stauffacher has rushed for 491 yards and four touchdowns in limited action due to injuries.
Palmyra-Eagle, a Rock Valley South team, is tested after playing Walworth Big Foot and Brodhead-Juda this year. The Cardinals gashed Palmyra-Eagle for 339 rushing yards in a 42-6 win in September. Palmyra-Eagle averages 20 points per game and Zywicki said the Panthers run a multiple set "pro-I" formation offense including some option.
"They are primarily a dive and isolation team," he said.
Palmyra-Eagle senior running back Taylor Dane has rushed for more than 700 yards this season. The Panthers have a big threat in the passing game with 6-feet, 1-inch tight end Luke Berglund, who has caught 33 passes for 551 yards and six touchdowns. Berglund is averaging 16.7 yards per reception and will be a key for the Redbirds' defense to shut down in passing situations.
"They have an excellent receiving tight end," Zywicki said. "They certainly feature him in the passing game. He is an excellent receiver and runs well. We have to be cognizant of where he is."
Darlington's defense is giving up just 12.7 ppg. Senior Tanner Andrews leads the Redbird defense with 59.5 tackles, including 15 for loss, and seven sacks. Senior defensive tackle Mark Brugger, who was a state qualifier in wrestling, has 19 tackles, including 13 for loss, and seven sacks.
Junior defensive tackle Joey Hull has given the Redbird's stout defense a boost with 15 tackles, including 11 for losses, to go along with eight sacks.
Zywicki said the Redbirds must create turnovers and force the Panthers into third-and-long situations.
"If we can force them to drive the ball in chunks, I don't think they will be able to do that," he said. "If we give up the home run play, they will be in the game."
However, Zywicki isn't going to guarantee a victory.
"I saw some quality teams like Lancaster falter last year because of one bad game," he said. "We want to compare our team to the best teams in the state. At this time of year, you have to limit turnovers, penalties and mental mistakes and let your athletic ability take over."
If the Redbirds beat the Panthers, they likely would face Pardeeville in the second round. And if they meet that challenge, things don't get any easier for Darlington (8-1). The Redbirds then likely would have to upset Lancaster in Level 3 and the either Saint Mary's Springs, Fond du Lac, or last year's Division 5 state runner-up Cedar Grove Belgium in the next round.
"There will be no flukes on the way to the state finals," Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said. "Every game is a must-win game at this point."
In addition to Lancaster, Saint Mary's Springs and Cedar Grove, the Division 5 playoff field includes, Brillion and last year's state champion Colby.
Zywicki is focused on beating Palmyra-Eagle (5-4). The Redbirds are playing their first-round playoff game on the road because Martens Field doesn't have lights, he said.
"We have worked very hard to get to this point," Zywicki said. "They are an excellent football team. It's always nice to be rewarded with a team we feel we can compete with and beat if we perform like we are capable."
Darlington junior quarterback Alex Erickson, who has racked up 1,482 total yards - 835 rushing yards, 647 passing yards and 24 touchdowns - spearheads a Redbirds offense that averages 38 points per game.
"He is usually very smart making his reads," Zywicki said. "He's very gifted athletically. He does a lot of the little things to help you that fans don't see. I have no doubts that he will come through in the playoffs."
The Redbirds have several other playmakers to support Erickson. Junior Tucker Wiegel is a dual-threat by running and catching the ball out of the backfield. Wiegel has rushed for 450 yards this year and scored six touchdowns. He caught 14 passes for 221 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Trynton Schwartz has 11 receptions for 234 yards and four touchdowns.
Darlington senior fullback Aaron Stauffacher has rushed for 491 yards and four touchdowns in limited action due to injuries.
Palmyra-Eagle, a Rock Valley South team, is tested after playing Walworth Big Foot and Brodhead-Juda this year. The Cardinals gashed Palmyra-Eagle for 339 rushing yards in a 42-6 win in September. Palmyra-Eagle averages 20 points per game and Zywicki said the Panthers run a multiple set "pro-I" formation offense including some option.
"They are primarily a dive and isolation team," he said.
Palmyra-Eagle senior running back Taylor Dane has rushed for more than 700 yards this season. The Panthers have a big threat in the passing game with 6-feet, 1-inch tight end Luke Berglund, who has caught 33 passes for 551 yards and six touchdowns. Berglund is averaging 16.7 yards per reception and will be a key for the Redbirds' defense to shut down in passing situations.
"They have an excellent receiving tight end," Zywicki said. "They certainly feature him in the passing game. He is an excellent receiver and runs well. We have to be cognizant of where he is."
Darlington's defense is giving up just 12.7 ppg. Senior Tanner Andrews leads the Redbird defense with 59.5 tackles, including 15 for loss, and seven sacks. Senior defensive tackle Mark Brugger, who was a state qualifier in wrestling, has 19 tackles, including 13 for loss, and seven sacks.
Junior defensive tackle Joey Hull has given the Redbird's stout defense a boost with 15 tackles, including 11 for losses, to go along with eight sacks.
Zywicki said the Redbirds must create turnovers and force the Panthers into third-and-long situations.
"If we can force them to drive the ball in chunks, I don't think they will be able to do that," he said. "If we give up the home run play, they will be in the game."
However, Zywicki isn't going to guarantee a victory.
"I saw some quality teams like Lancaster falter last year because of one bad game," he said. "We want to compare our team to the best teams in the state. At this time of year, you have to limit turnovers, penalties and mental mistakes and let your athletic ability take over."
