SOUTH WAYNE - The WIAA Division 7 state quarterfinal showdown between Black Hawk and Potosi has more than just bragging rights on the line with a conference rival.
Black Hawk (11-0), ranked No. 1 in the WisSports.net Division 7 coaches poll, will host eighth-ranked Potosi (10-1) in a win or go home state quarterfinal game Friday. The Warriors, the Six Rivers Conference champions, beat Potosi 46-8 in a game earlier this year. It marked the first time Black Hawk has defeated Potosi and won the conference since 2007. Both players and coaches for the Warriors expect a much different game in the rematch with the winner advancing to the state semifinals and moving within one more win of a trip to Camp Randall Stadium for the state championship.
"They want revenge from their loss and we want to keep it going," Black Hawk senior running back Tanner Sweeney said. "It will be a pretty exciting game."
The biggest difference in the Chieftains' offense in the rematch is Potosi senior Chase Kruser, the team's starting running back at the start of the season, is expected to start at quarterback and is filling in for former starter Kyle Kaiser who broke his leg earlier in the year against the Warriors. Kruser has rushed for 934 yards and scored 15 TDs this season. With great speed, he's a threat to score whenever he touches the ball. He also is the team's leading receiver with 19 receptions for 449 yards and seven touchdowns. Kruser averages 8.2 yards per carry and 23.6 yards per catch.
"They will be a completely different team than we played earlier in the season," Black hawk coach Cory Milz said. "When Kruser was at running back it was easier to tell what play they were running based on where he lined up. I think he (Kruser) is a bigger threat at quarterback. He's a special kid who can run fast."
The Chieftains are expected to feature a lot of shotgun snaps and runs with Kruser at quarterback. Kruser had a 65-yard TD run at the end of the first quarter of the first meeting, but after that the Warriors bottled him up limiting him to just 49 yards.
"We have to be able to contain Kruser," Milz said. "They will be fired up and ready for some redemption."
The Warriors have a high powered offense that averages 46.8 points per game that features a strong one-two punch at running back. Sweeney has rushed for 1,443 yards and 19 TDs. Sweeney averages 10.9 yards per carry. Fellow senior Jayden Rufenacht has rushed for 1,000 yards and scored 20 TDs. Rufenacht is averaging 10.6 yards per carry.
Striving for a balanced offense has been the goal for the Warriors this season. They have proven they can win games passing and running the ball. Black Hawk junior quarterback Heath Butler passed for 220 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-0 win over Belmont in the Level 1 playoffs. Butler is a dual threat at quarterback with 1,191 yards passing with 13 TDs and four interceptions and he has rushed for 666 yards and 10 TDs.
The Warriors' defense has been just as impressive with three shutouts this year. They have outscored their first two opponents in the playoffs 94-0. In the first meeting with the Chieftains, the Warriors forced five turnovers including two interceptions by Brett Lovelace. Black Hawk senior Seth Butler leads the team with five interceptions and his ball-hawking ways could make a difference for the Warriors.
Milz said containing Kruser is the focus. However, the Chieftains can pose a challenge with their speed and quickness.
"They make you defend the entire field," Milz said. "I think it's some of those clichés. We have to stop the run and eliminate their big plays."
Black Hawk (11-0), ranked No. 1 in the WisSports.net Division 7 coaches poll, will host eighth-ranked Potosi (10-1) in a win or go home state quarterfinal game Friday. The Warriors, the Six Rivers Conference champions, beat Potosi 46-8 in a game earlier this year. It marked the first time Black Hawk has defeated Potosi and won the conference since 2007. Both players and coaches for the Warriors expect a much different game in the rematch with the winner advancing to the state semifinals and moving within one more win of a trip to Camp Randall Stadium for the state championship.
"They want revenge from their loss and we want to keep it going," Black Hawk senior running back Tanner Sweeney said. "It will be a pretty exciting game."
The biggest difference in the Chieftains' offense in the rematch is Potosi senior Chase Kruser, the team's starting running back at the start of the season, is expected to start at quarterback and is filling in for former starter Kyle Kaiser who broke his leg earlier in the year against the Warriors. Kruser has rushed for 934 yards and scored 15 TDs this season. With great speed, he's a threat to score whenever he touches the ball. He also is the team's leading receiver with 19 receptions for 449 yards and seven touchdowns. Kruser averages 8.2 yards per carry and 23.6 yards per catch.
"They will be a completely different team than we played earlier in the season," Black hawk coach Cory Milz said. "When Kruser was at running back it was easier to tell what play they were running based on where he lined up. I think he (Kruser) is a bigger threat at quarterback. He's a special kid who can run fast."
The Chieftains are expected to feature a lot of shotgun snaps and runs with Kruser at quarterback. Kruser had a 65-yard TD run at the end of the first quarter of the first meeting, but after that the Warriors bottled him up limiting him to just 49 yards.
"We have to be able to contain Kruser," Milz said. "They will be fired up and ready for some redemption."
The Warriors have a high powered offense that averages 46.8 points per game that features a strong one-two punch at running back. Sweeney has rushed for 1,443 yards and 19 TDs. Sweeney averages 10.9 yards per carry. Fellow senior Jayden Rufenacht has rushed for 1,000 yards and scored 20 TDs. Rufenacht is averaging 10.6 yards per carry.
Striving for a balanced offense has been the goal for the Warriors this season. They have proven they can win games passing and running the ball. Black Hawk junior quarterback Heath Butler passed for 220 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-0 win over Belmont in the Level 1 playoffs. Butler is a dual threat at quarterback with 1,191 yards passing with 13 TDs and four interceptions and he has rushed for 666 yards and 10 TDs.
The Warriors' defense has been just as impressive with three shutouts this year. They have outscored their first two opponents in the playoffs 94-0. In the first meeting with the Chieftains, the Warriors forced five turnovers including two interceptions by Brett Lovelace. Black Hawk senior Seth Butler leads the team with five interceptions and his ball-hawking ways could make a difference for the Warriors.
Milz said containing Kruser is the focus. However, the Chieftains can pose a challenge with their speed and quickness.
"They make you defend the entire field," Milz said. "I think it's some of those clichés. We have to stop the run and eliminate their big plays."
