DARLINGTON - Football fans who love a battle in the trenches and powerful running games will want to get a ticket for Darlington's Level 2 playoff game Saturday against Pardeeville at Martens Field.
Pardeeville (9-1), the Large Trailways Conference champion, has won nine straight games since a 10-6 season-opening loss to Waterloo. The Pardeeville offensive line averages 240 pounds and serves as road graders for the rushing attack. Pardeeville has two running backs who have rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season.
There's no secret what the Bulldogs want to do.
"They have good size everywhere," Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said. "They have 240-pound linemen opening some gigantic holes for the running back. It's been tough for teams because they haven't had the size to stop them."
Darlington (9-1) has the size in the offensive and defensive lines to match-up with senior Mark Brugger (6-feet 1 inch, 250 pounds), junior Joey Hull (6 feet, 270 pounds) senior Lincoln Bryson (6 feet, 200 pounds) and senior Jordon Bryson (6 feet 1 inch, 206 pounds).
"They basically run four plays," Zywicki said in describing isolation plays, counters and traps. "It's basically, this is what we do and you try to stop it. It's not really complicated. They are not trying to fool you. They will come at you in some shape or form."
Pardeeville running back Jordan Genrich has rushed for 1,176 yards and 20 touchdowns this year for an offense averaging 36.1 points per game. Mitch Blanchard has added more than 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns.
"It will be just a matter of getting off the blocks," Zywicki said. "We definitely will put eight up there to stop them."
The Redbirds needed a thrilling fourth quarter to come back from a 13-point deficit to beat Palmyra-Eagle, 28-21 in overtime in the first round Tuesday night. Darlington quarterback Alex Erickson accounted for 317 total yards and scored a 25-yard touchdown in overtime to win the game.
The rainy forecast today could lead to a soggy field. Zywicki understands it may limit some of the Redbirds offensive plays.
"We both have size," he said. "Maybe, the simplicity of what they do will give us an advantage. I think we have some athleticism and the ability to cut. That may be null and void if we are slipping."
After a thrilling comeback against Palmyra-Eagle, Zywicki wants to write another storybook ending.
"The way we won was really a confidence boost," Zywicki said. "We were not playing well in the first half at all. We have rules and assignments offensively and defensively and they were deviating from that. I think the kids can learn from that. I think they do believe if we play the way we are capable of we can win."
Pardeeville (9-1), the Large Trailways Conference champion, has won nine straight games since a 10-6 season-opening loss to Waterloo. The Pardeeville offensive line averages 240 pounds and serves as road graders for the rushing attack. Pardeeville has two running backs who have rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season.
There's no secret what the Bulldogs want to do.
"They have good size everywhere," Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said. "They have 240-pound linemen opening some gigantic holes for the running back. It's been tough for teams because they haven't had the size to stop them."
Darlington (9-1) has the size in the offensive and defensive lines to match-up with senior Mark Brugger (6-feet 1 inch, 250 pounds), junior Joey Hull (6 feet, 270 pounds) senior Lincoln Bryson (6 feet, 200 pounds) and senior Jordon Bryson (6 feet 1 inch, 206 pounds).
"They basically run four plays," Zywicki said in describing isolation plays, counters and traps. "It's basically, this is what we do and you try to stop it. It's not really complicated. They are not trying to fool you. They will come at you in some shape or form."
Pardeeville running back Jordan Genrich has rushed for 1,176 yards and 20 touchdowns this year for an offense averaging 36.1 points per game. Mitch Blanchard has added more than 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns.
"It will be just a matter of getting off the blocks," Zywicki said. "We definitely will put eight up there to stop them."
The Redbirds needed a thrilling fourth quarter to come back from a 13-point deficit to beat Palmyra-Eagle, 28-21 in overtime in the first round Tuesday night. Darlington quarterback Alex Erickson accounted for 317 total yards and scored a 25-yard touchdown in overtime to win the game.
The rainy forecast today could lead to a soggy field. Zywicki understands it may limit some of the Redbirds offensive plays.
"We both have size," he said. "Maybe, the simplicity of what they do will give us an advantage. I think we have some athleticism and the ability to cut. That may be null and void if we are slipping."
After a thrilling comeback against Palmyra-Eagle, Zywicki wants to write another storybook ending.
"The way we won was really a confidence boost," Zywicki said. "We were not playing well in the first half at all. We have rules and assignments offensively and defensively and they were deviating from that. I think the kids can learn from that. I think they do believe if we play the way we are capable of we can win."
