DARLINGTON - Offensive linemen often aren't noticed in a football game unless they are called for a penalty. But the starting offensive line for Darlington has paved the way for the Redbirds to produce two running backs with more than 1,000 yards and a third is on the cusp of breaking the 1,000-yard mark.
The Redbirds are averaging a staggering 348 rushing yards per game as a team. The Redbirds' line averages 253 pounds and powers an offense averaging 45.4 points per game into a WIAA Division 6 state quarterfinal against Brookwood at Martens Field in Darlington on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Darlington's offensive line includes senior A.J. Brandt a 6-foot-2, 298-pound senior at tackle and the 6-foot-3, 290-pound senior Hayden Black at the other tackle. Zach Wolf is the starting center and senior Brett Erickson and Tyler Brunkow are the starting guards with the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Michael Ruf at tight end.
"Obviously the glory goes to the backs running the ball," Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said. "Our kids who run the ball know that everything starts with the line. They (linemen) are all better players. Not only are they more physical and mature, but they have that mental maturity and experience."
Darlington junior fullback Myles Leahy has rushed for 1,300 yards and scored 19 TDs this year. He is averaging 118 yards per game. Senior Tanner Wiegel has rushed for 1,137 yards and scored 17 TDs. He is averaging 103 yards per game and an astonishing 12.8 yards per carry. Junior Jason Singer has rushed for 973 yards and scored 18 TDs. He is averaging 11.3 yards per carry.
"If they (the line) give us a crease we have a good chance of making something happen whether it's a 4-yard or 40-yard run," Zywicki said. "They can take a small crease and make it into a big gain."
Darlington (10-1) will face a challenge against Scenic Bluffs co-champion Brookwood.
"They are a mirror image of us," Zywicki said. "They have a lot of speed and a big line. Their backs are small and very fast. Our backs may be a little more powerful."
Brookwood runs multiple formations out of I-back sets.
Zywicki said at times they will run spread, but most of the time they rely on the I-formation.
Zywicki said the key will be having defensive ends Riley Ray and Ruf maintain their outside containment assignments and funnel everything inside. Ruf leads the team with nine sacks.
"They have played well against numerous option teams," Zywicki said of his defensive ends and defense. "Hopefully, that gives us an advantage and comfort level. They will have to stay disciplined and tackle the quarterback on the option."
Brookwood's Paul Ryan has rushed for 1,141 yards and scored 12 TDs this year and teammate Josh Marten has rushed for 635 yards and scored 10 TDs. Brookwood quarterback Dominic Luxton has passed for 812 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions and he has added 592 rushing yards and six touchdowns rushing. However, he has completed just 45 percent of his passes this year.
The Redbirds have five shutouts this year and have proven to be stingy, giving up just 6.6 points per game this season. The Redbirds have forced 24 turnovers - about two turnovers per game. Darlington senior Kyle Johnson leads the team with seven interceptions and he has returned two for touchdowns.
"Forcing turnovers is key," Zywicki said. "Those are huge in a game like this. They are momentum swingers."
The Redbirds know that better than anyone. After Singer returned a kick for a touchdown, Cuba City fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Redbirds scored another touchdown to spark Darlington to a 42-0 win last week.
"That is a 14-point swing," Zywicki said. "You don't recover from those things."
The Redbirds are averaging a staggering 348 rushing yards per game as a team. The Redbirds' line averages 253 pounds and powers an offense averaging 45.4 points per game into a WIAA Division 6 state quarterfinal against Brookwood at Martens Field in Darlington on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Darlington's offensive line includes senior A.J. Brandt a 6-foot-2, 298-pound senior at tackle and the 6-foot-3, 290-pound senior Hayden Black at the other tackle. Zach Wolf is the starting center and senior Brett Erickson and Tyler Brunkow are the starting guards with the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Michael Ruf at tight end.
"Obviously the glory goes to the backs running the ball," Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said. "Our kids who run the ball know that everything starts with the line. They (linemen) are all better players. Not only are they more physical and mature, but they have that mental maturity and experience."
Darlington junior fullback Myles Leahy has rushed for 1,300 yards and scored 19 TDs this year. He is averaging 118 yards per game. Senior Tanner Wiegel has rushed for 1,137 yards and scored 17 TDs. He is averaging 103 yards per game and an astonishing 12.8 yards per carry. Junior Jason Singer has rushed for 973 yards and scored 18 TDs. He is averaging 11.3 yards per carry.
"If they (the line) give us a crease we have a good chance of making something happen whether it's a 4-yard or 40-yard run," Zywicki said. "They can take a small crease and make it into a big gain."
Darlington (10-1) will face a challenge against Scenic Bluffs co-champion Brookwood.
"They are a mirror image of us," Zywicki said. "They have a lot of speed and a big line. Their backs are small and very fast. Our backs may be a little more powerful."
Brookwood runs multiple formations out of I-back sets.
Zywicki said at times they will run spread, but most of the time they rely on the I-formation.
Zywicki said the key will be having defensive ends Riley Ray and Ruf maintain their outside containment assignments and funnel everything inside. Ruf leads the team with nine sacks.
"They have played well against numerous option teams," Zywicki said of his defensive ends and defense. "Hopefully, that gives us an advantage and comfort level. They will have to stay disciplined and tackle the quarterback on the option."
Brookwood's Paul Ryan has rushed for 1,141 yards and scored 12 TDs this year and teammate Josh Marten has rushed for 635 yards and scored 10 TDs. Brookwood quarterback Dominic Luxton has passed for 812 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions and he has added 592 rushing yards and six touchdowns rushing. However, he has completed just 45 percent of his passes this year.
The Redbirds have five shutouts this year and have proven to be stingy, giving up just 6.6 points per game this season. The Redbirds have forced 24 turnovers - about two turnovers per game. Darlington senior Kyle Johnson leads the team with seven interceptions and he has returned two for touchdowns.
"Forcing turnovers is key," Zywicki said. "Those are huge in a game like this. They are momentum swingers."
The Redbirds know that better than anyone. After Singer returned a kick for a touchdown, Cuba City fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Redbirds scored another touchdown to spark Darlington to a 42-0 win last week.
"That is a 14-point swing," Zywicki said. "You don't recover from those things."
