DARLINGTON - Darlington senior defensive end Michael Ruf talked with friend and University of Wisconsin wide receiver Alex Erickson about the school's first state championship game in 16 years.
"He told me don't just be satisfied; go for the gold when you get there," Ruf said. "It means a lot to me. All of the work we put in during the offseason is paying off. It's a great feeling to go to Camp Randall."
Darlington (12-1) enters the WIAA Division 6 state championship game Thursday, Nov. 21 against Shiocton with two players garnering college football options.
Ruf and defensive tackle A.J. Brandt are drawing college football recruiting interest. Ruf has drawn interest from Northern Illinois as well as several Division II schools and Brandt has received interest from North Dakota St., Southwest Minnesota St. and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. It all starts up front for the Redbirds on defense.
"I'm focused on winning a state championship and then I will go from there," Ruf said.
Shiocton (13-0) was the state champion in 2011. The team runs nine different formations, but primarily runs a veer offense similar to Fond du Lac St. Mary's Springs. However, Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said the one main difference is there is a different mesh point with quarterback Jacob Van Asten running up the middle often similar to how Black Hawk has used Heath Butler. Van Asten leads the Chiefs in rushing with 1,644 yards and 26 TDs. He also has passed for 763 yards with just one interception.
"The key will be getting pressure and having our linebackers like Tyler Leahy and Kane Loken when he is in there filling and blowing up plays," Ruf said. "Kane may not be the biggest, but he is intense."
The Redbirds' defense is giving up just 7 points per game and has thrived at forcing turnovers.
Zywicki said it will come down to having the ability to make tackles.
It's been a busy week for Darlington and Black Hawk as they prepare to represent southwest Wisconsin at state. In addition to them, Lancaster (Division 5) and Platteville (Division 4) are playing for gold balls. Several Black Hawk players have attended Darlington games this year.
"I think we have been cheering each other on," Ruf said. "I'm friends with the Butlers and Dakota Meier."
Both Zywicki and Black Hawk coach Cory Milz were defensive coordinators the last time their teams made it to state.
"We have some good football players in southwest Wisconsin," Zywicki said. "It's not just relegated to the bigger cities and private schools."
Milz put the whirlwind week in perspective for all the local state qualifiers set to play at Camp Randall.
"It's an amazing thing," Milz said. "It's the buzz and talk down here. To have all four of those teams playing at state on the same day is incredible."
"He told me don't just be satisfied; go for the gold when you get there," Ruf said. "It means a lot to me. All of the work we put in during the offseason is paying off. It's a great feeling to go to Camp Randall."
Darlington (12-1) enters the WIAA Division 6 state championship game Thursday, Nov. 21 against Shiocton with two players garnering college football options.
Ruf and defensive tackle A.J. Brandt are drawing college football recruiting interest. Ruf has drawn interest from Northern Illinois as well as several Division II schools and Brandt has received interest from North Dakota St., Southwest Minnesota St. and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. It all starts up front for the Redbirds on defense.
"I'm focused on winning a state championship and then I will go from there," Ruf said.
Shiocton (13-0) was the state champion in 2011. The team runs nine different formations, but primarily runs a veer offense similar to Fond du Lac St. Mary's Springs. However, Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said the one main difference is there is a different mesh point with quarterback Jacob Van Asten running up the middle often similar to how Black Hawk has used Heath Butler. Van Asten leads the Chiefs in rushing with 1,644 yards and 26 TDs. He also has passed for 763 yards with just one interception.
"The key will be getting pressure and having our linebackers like Tyler Leahy and Kane Loken when he is in there filling and blowing up plays," Ruf said. "Kane may not be the biggest, but he is intense."
The Redbirds' defense is giving up just 7 points per game and has thrived at forcing turnovers.
Zywicki said it will come down to having the ability to make tackles.
It's been a busy week for Darlington and Black Hawk as they prepare to represent southwest Wisconsin at state. In addition to them, Lancaster (Division 5) and Platteville (Division 4) are playing for gold balls. Several Black Hawk players have attended Darlington games this year.
"I think we have been cheering each other on," Ruf said. "I'm friends with the Butlers and Dakota Meier."
Both Zywicki and Black Hawk coach Cory Milz were defensive coordinators the last time their teams made it to state.
"We have some good football players in southwest Wisconsin," Zywicki said. "It's not just relegated to the bigger cities and private schools."
Milz put the whirlwind week in perspective for all the local state qualifiers set to play at Camp Randall.
"It's an amazing thing," Milz said. "It's the buzz and talk down here. To have all four of those teams playing at state on the same day is incredible."
