West Sioux head coach Ryan Schwiesow in his (10th) season is an impressive (96-21) overall as head coach for the Falcons and has a vivid memory of the outcome of last November's 1A state championship game in which the Falcons lost 17-14 to the Van Meter Bulldogs. The Bulldogs of head coach Eric Trudo (159-43) overall in his (18th) season at Van Meter are looking to repeat inside the U.N.I. Dome this Friday, November 18th at 4:00 PM! This will be a very physical and highly competitive game between two talented and well coached teams.
PRESENTED BY: THE OTHER PLACE
Football fans checkout our Iowa State HS Football Sponsor The Other Place located at 209 Main Street in Cedar Falls! A great Pizza and Appetizer menu to go with a great atmosphere and attentive staff. Highly recommended by the SSI team!
Scouting Report Presented By: Martin Millard
@SSI_Siouxland
The Falcons have reached their goal of returning to the state title game. This is a very dedicated group of seniors and they hold perspective on what it takes to get another shot at playing inside the U.N.I. Dome and are looking to secure a state title for a special roster and community that loves it's Falcon football!
The offense is triggered by senior QB Dylan Wiggins a three year starter who is looking to cap off a fantastic high school career. Wiggins a college prospect, has passed for (2,025) yards while completing (70%) of his passes for (31) touchdowns. Wiggins led the offense to (481) yards in the semifinal victory and has rushed for (407) yards and (6) scores on the season.
The Falcons own the most versatile athlete on the field with senior college prospect RB/TE Brady Lynott 6-2 (210) who does a bit of everything for the Falcon offense. Lynott has rushed for (441) yards and (11) scores and been on the receiving end of (55) receptions for (909) yards and (16) touchdowns as he will close out a storybook career. The running game will be fueled by senior RB Carter Bultman (1,183) yards and (17) touchdowns and (30) receptions for (296) yards and (2) scores.
Other key receivers in the Falcon attack include senior Avery Millikan (23) catches good for (328) yards and (7) scores. Senior WR Mason Coppock (21) receptions for (247) yards and (2) scores has had a nice impact as has sophomore TE Kolton Koopmans (19) catches for (206) yards and (3) scores. The offensive line is led by 6-4 (255) senior OT Clayton Gradert and 6-1 (265) junior RT Keegan McMillan.
The Falcon defense performed really well in the Semifinal game shutting down the Underwood Eagles and holding them to (7) points on the day which included just (50) rush yards from a predominately ground oriented attack. LB Bultman leads the team with (50) tackles and (15.5) TFL. Coppock has tallied (46.5) stops and (5.0) TFL. McMillan has collected (41.0) tackles and (8.5) TFL. Senior Darren Wilbert (39.5) tackles and freshman Tanner Lynott (35) tackles will be counted on as will sophomore Koopmans (35) tackles and (8.0) TFL.
The Bulldogs are led by senior QB Ben Gilliland who has passed for (1,241) yards and (22) touchdowns and is completing (68%) of his (833) yards and (10) scores on the ground. The rushing attack involves junior RB Ben Gordon (1,661) yards on the ground and (28) rushing touchdowns. Sophomore RB Garrett Cole has chipped in (254) yards rushing. The main receiving threats for the Bulldogs include senior WR Will Gordon (21) receptions for (456) yards and (5) scores. Senior WR Carter Durflinger (15) catches for (167) yards and (7) touchdowns leads the team.
The Bulldog defense has several steady tacklers including senior DL Michael Banks (56.5) tackles and (18.5) TFL. Junior LB Porter Doggett (51) tackles and (8.0) TFL is solid at the second level as is junior LB Teddy Sieck (46) tackles and (7.0) TFL. Senior LB Durflinger has registered (40) stops and (6.5) TFL.
ANALYSIS: This shapes up to be a four quarter contest. Both teams have good offensive balance but the Bulldogs will focus on a heavy dose of the running game on offense which has been their calling card all season. The Falcons can counter quickly with big offensive plays with their talented skill players. The team that finishes on the plus side in turnover margin should win this game. The key down for the Falcon defense in my opinion is first down as they look to get the Bulldogs behind the chains on offense.