Prep Football Notebook: West ready for rematch with New Prague

Sports

October 26, 2012

Prep Football Notebook: West ready for rematch with New Prague

By Chad Courrier Free Press Staff Writer The Mankato Free Press Fri Oct 26, 2012, 11:58 PM CDT

MANKATO — Back in the season-opener, Mankato West defeated New Prague 35-0, but Scarlets coach Mark Esch feels like New Prague has improved.

He’d also like to think his team is playing better, too.

“Our goal is to get them off the field,” Esch said. “They have a big fullback, and they run the option, and they want to keep the football. It’s always good if you can get the lead on a ball-control team like New Prague.”

West (2-6), the No. 2 seed, hosts third-seeded New Prague (6-3) in a Section 2AAAAA semifinal football game at 3 p.m. today at Todnem Field.

In the season-opener, West jumped ahead 21-0 in the first half as Ryan Schlichte passed for 236 yards and two touchdowns. Schlichte was injured late in the half, and Derek Frentz took over as the Scarlets’ ground game produced two touchdowns in the second half. Running back Trenton Marks had three rushing touchdowns in the game.

The Scarlets are coming off a 214-yard rushing effort against Mankato East in the regular-season finale..

“We feel like we can run the ball,” Esch said. “But we’ll certainly take what’s available.”

Schlichte missed just one game and has passed for 1,707 yards and 21 touchdowns this season. Marks has rushed for 479 yards and 10 scores. Alex Knutson has been the top receiver with 32 catches for 564 yards and six touchdowns.

Linebacker Isaac Weber leads the defense with 98 tackles, while linebacker Tyler Jakes has 91. Cornerback Carter Burmeister has a team-high three interceptions.

Madelia, Nicollet rematch

Nicollet defeated Madelia 35-8 in Week 2 of the season, but that was two months ago and Madelia’s best player was injured. Today, the teams meet again at Nicollet at 4 p.m. in the Section 2, Nineman semifinals.

“There’s no question that if Adam (Cooling) had played, it would have been a much different game,” Nicollet coach Tom Murphy said. “I have a lot of respect for Adam, and he certainly has our attention this week.”

Nicollet (9-0) is coming off a victory over Alden-Conger in the section quarterfinals, with quarterback Dalton Elliott passing for a school record 471 yards, including 240 yards in the third quarter, and a school record eight touchdowns. Evan Guffey made eight receptions for 267 yards and five touchdowns.

Cooling had 239 yards and three touchdowns rushing and 135 yards and two touchdowns passing as Madelia (7-2) claimed a 42-34 victory over Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton on Tuesday.

Change of plans

Tri-City United is the third seed in the Section 3AAA playoffs, and if the seeds had held, the Titans would be playing on the road today.

But when seventh-seeded Redwood Valley upset St. Peter, the focus changed to a home game for Tri-City United.

“We were ready to exchange film, but we hadn’t done too much (scouting),” Tri-City United coach Ken Helland said. “It’s a very short week so we’re scrambling to get everything ready. It’s just a different team to prepare for.”

Helland said that Redwood Valley (2-7) has a good passing game, led by senior quarterback Alec Koster and receivers R.J. Juell and Thane Widmer.

Saturday’s game begins at 2 p.m.

Section 2AA rematches

Top-seeded Sibley East (7-1) hosts Minnesota River Conference foe Le Sueur-Henderson (3-6), a team the Wolverines defeated 41-0 in the regular-season finale. No. 2 seed Waterville-Elysian-Morristown (7-1) takes on Medford (6-3) today, with a 39-14 Gopher Valley 2A Conference victory back on Oct. 5.

Both games begin at 7 p.m.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Sports

Search Results

Prep Football Notebook: West ready for rematch with New Prague

Site Map

Contact Us