DARLINGTON - Kyle Johnson as a safety on the Darlington defense understands the challenge that is coming.
Johnson and the Redbirds are gearing up for a WIAA Division 6 state semifinal against Fond du Lac Saint Mary's Springs at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 at Middleton High School. Saint Mary's Springs (12-0), ranked No. 1 in the WisSports.net Division 6 Coaches poll, has won 39 straight games and averages 46 points per game. St. Mary's Springs senior running back Ike Floyd has racked up 2,167 rushing yards and scored 36 TDs in the Ledgers' veer option offense. He is averaging a staggering 197 yards rushing per game.
"He's very fast," Johnson said of Floyd. "He's not really big. He runs with a lot of power and aggression. He will outrun you and run you over."
Johnson played running back and defensive back last year in the Redbirds' run to the state quarterfinals. After suffering a concussion in his final game, he has recovered and is content to be a starting safety this year with the Redbirds' depth at running back.
"I like playing just one-way," Johnson said. "It gives me a chance just to concentrate on their offense. I don't have to worry about what their defense is doing. Our tackles can't get pushed off the ball. We have to be fundamentally sound and not try to do everyone else's job for them or we will be out of position and we will give up a big play."
Johnson sees the Redbirds' tackles and linebackers as the strength of a defense that has five shutouts this year and is giving up just 7.4 points per game.
"Our run defense has been firing on all cylinders," Johnson said. "Our main priority is stopping the run. I just can't be back there for the pass. I have to be able to come up and help on the run as much as I can."
Johnson was a state qualifier in the hurdles in track and he has showed his playmaking ability with a team-high seven interceptions and two touchdowns. Darlington coach Scott Zywicki has been pleased with Johnson's performance at safety this season.
"Kyle and three of our four linebackers play just defense," Zywicki said. "That keeps them fresh. Kyle is just an exceptional athlete. He has taken the next step and can jump on routes. He's got accustomed to what other teams are trying to do scheming against us."
The Redbirds have won 11 straight games since a season-opening loss to Platteville, a team which is playing in the Division 4 state semifinals. Zywicki has contacted former Black Hawk Dennis Murphy about what defenses to use to attack the veer. Zywicki watched Iowa-Grant play St. Mary's Springs last year and they didn't budge out of their 5-2 defense. Don't expect Zywicki to stand pat with one defense.
"Iowa-Grant played a 5-2 and didn't make any adjustments," Zywicki said. "I think that was a mistake. We are going to mix it up. You have to move people around a little bit and stunt them to make them on edge and unsure."
The Redbirds have a high-powered offense of their own averaging 45.5 points per game. Zywicki is confident in his team.
"You are always out to prove you are one of the best and belong," Zywicki said. "The kids want to prove that they are some of the best athletes and football players. I'm hoping they believe we are as good of a team as them so we don't get down on ourselves."
The Redbirds are the sixth team in the history of the state to have three running backs with 1,000 rushing yards or more in the same season. The Ledgers play a six-man front and a five-man front at times when they move 314-pound defensive tackle Sam Schrauth to middle linebacker.
Darlington junior Myles Leahy has rushed for 1,448 yards and 20 TDs this year. He is averaging 120 yards per game. Senior Tanner Wiegel has rushed for 1,201 yards and scored 19 TDs and is averaging 100 yards per game. Junior Jason Singer has rushed for 1,140 yards and scored 20 TDs.
"We have the size like they do," Zywicki said. "We are a team that can compete with them physically. We have to have some success running. We probably won't get the home run plays like we have got against lesser teams."
However, it could come down to the plays junior quarterback Cole McDonald makes. McDonald has passed for 629 yards this year with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. He is completing 56.6 percent of his passes.
"He has done a lot better job of finding the open receiver," Zywicki said. "He's doing a great job of reading it and being patient in the pocket. They will give us an opportunity to make a play with some play-action passes."
Johnson and the Redbirds are gearing up for a WIAA Division 6 state semifinal against Fond du Lac Saint Mary's Springs at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 at Middleton High School. Saint Mary's Springs (12-0), ranked No. 1 in the WisSports.net Division 6 Coaches poll, has won 39 straight games and averages 46 points per game. St. Mary's Springs senior running back Ike Floyd has racked up 2,167 rushing yards and scored 36 TDs in the Ledgers' veer option offense. He is averaging a staggering 197 yards rushing per game.
"He's very fast," Johnson said of Floyd. "He's not really big. He runs with a lot of power and aggression. He will outrun you and run you over."
Johnson played running back and defensive back last year in the Redbirds' run to the state quarterfinals. After suffering a concussion in his final game, he has recovered and is content to be a starting safety this year with the Redbirds' depth at running back.
"I like playing just one-way," Johnson said. "It gives me a chance just to concentrate on their offense. I don't have to worry about what their defense is doing. Our tackles can't get pushed off the ball. We have to be fundamentally sound and not try to do everyone else's job for them or we will be out of position and we will give up a big play."
Johnson sees the Redbirds' tackles and linebackers as the strength of a defense that has five shutouts this year and is giving up just 7.4 points per game.
"Our run defense has been firing on all cylinders," Johnson said. "Our main priority is stopping the run. I just can't be back there for the pass. I have to be able to come up and help on the run as much as I can."
Johnson was a state qualifier in the hurdles in track and he has showed his playmaking ability with a team-high seven interceptions and two touchdowns. Darlington coach Scott Zywicki has been pleased with Johnson's performance at safety this season.
"Kyle and three of our four linebackers play just defense," Zywicki said. "That keeps them fresh. Kyle is just an exceptional athlete. He has taken the next step and can jump on routes. He's got accustomed to what other teams are trying to do scheming against us."
The Redbirds have won 11 straight games since a season-opening loss to Platteville, a team which is playing in the Division 4 state semifinals. Zywicki has contacted former Black Hawk Dennis Murphy about what defenses to use to attack the veer. Zywicki watched Iowa-Grant play St. Mary's Springs last year and they didn't budge out of their 5-2 defense. Don't expect Zywicki to stand pat with one defense.
"Iowa-Grant played a 5-2 and didn't make any adjustments," Zywicki said. "I think that was a mistake. We are going to mix it up. You have to move people around a little bit and stunt them to make them on edge and unsure."
The Redbirds have a high-powered offense of their own averaging 45.5 points per game. Zywicki is confident in his team.
"You are always out to prove you are one of the best and belong," Zywicki said. "The kids want to prove that they are some of the best athletes and football players. I'm hoping they believe we are as good of a team as them so we don't get down on ourselves."
The Redbirds are the sixth team in the history of the state to have three running backs with 1,000 rushing yards or more in the same season. The Ledgers play a six-man front and a five-man front at times when they move 314-pound defensive tackle Sam Schrauth to middle linebacker.
Darlington junior Myles Leahy has rushed for 1,448 yards and 20 TDs this year. He is averaging 120 yards per game. Senior Tanner Wiegel has rushed for 1,201 yards and scored 19 TDs and is averaging 100 yards per game. Junior Jason Singer has rushed for 1,140 yards and scored 20 TDs.
"We have the size like they do," Zywicki said. "We are a team that can compete with them physically. We have to have some success running. We probably won't get the home run plays like we have got against lesser teams."
However, it could come down to the plays junior quarterback Cole McDonald makes. McDonald has passed for 629 yards this year with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. He is completing 56.6 percent of his passes.
"He has done a lot better job of finding the open receiver," Zywicki said. "He's doing a great job of reading it and being patient in the pocket. They will give us an opportunity to make a play with some play-action passes."
