SSI Football: Playoff Game Preview Update!

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Congratulations to all of the Siouxland Playoff Qualifiers! We will be following our teams and their journey into November football. Here is some game information for games on tonight's slate!

CLASS 3A

ATLANTIC (6-3) @ BISHOP HEELAN (7-2)

KICKOFF: 7:00 PM

Strangely enough, these teams enter this contest of a loss in their final regular season games. The Crusaders of head coach Jon LaFleur in his 4th season as head coach brings in a team that has solid post-season experience and has several key senior performers. The Trojans have had a good season behind head coach Joe Brummer in his 5th season and features some good athletes.

The Trojans offense is triggered by senior QB Zayden Parker 5-11 (195) who has passed for (641) yards and (5) scores. The Trojans rely heavily on their running game paced by junior RB Ethan McNeal 5-9 (170) who has rushed or (1,251) yards and (14) touchdowns at (6.8) ypc. Senior FB Gavin McLaren 6-2 (240) has also been a key contributor in the rushing attack with (502) yards and (8) scores at (6.8) ypc. The leading receiver is sophomore Zander Killion 6-2 (175) with (13) receptions for (180) yards receiving and (1) score. The Trojans average (28.7) ppg.

The Trojans rarely go to the air to move the offense. The defense is led by junior LB Jake Wailes 5-11 (210) with a team leading (68.0) tackles and (7.0) TFL. Senior LB Colin Rudy 5-7 (165) has racked up (47.5) tackles and (6.5) TFL. The Trojan defense is allowing (20.5) ppg.

Bishop Heelan will have one of the top players in the state senior Kasen Thomas 6-2 (220) at RB and OLB on the defensive side of the football. Thomas is a University of Iowa commit that has had an outstanding season. Thomas has rushed for (1,076) yards and (19) touchdowns and has (32.0) tackles and (12.0) TFL. Thomas is one of eight players up for nomination for Class 3A Mr. Iowa Football. Finalists will be chosen before the semi-finals with the winner being announced after the finals.

The Crusader offense is led by senior QB Noah Conley 6-1 (180) with (1,102) yards passing and (8) touchdown passes. In addition to Thomas in the backfield is senior RB/LB Avery Favors 5-11 (200) who has chipped in (278) yards and (2) rushing scores. Senior WR/S Caden Lester 6-4 (210) is the team leading receiver with (28) receptions good for (388) yards and (4) scores. Junior Grant Whitcomb (14) receptions for (384) yards and (2) scores is averaging (27.4) ypc. The Crusader offense is averaging (25.3) ppg.

The Crusader defense is led by Thomas and fellow senior LB Zack Harpenau 5-11 (200) who has recorded (56.0) tackles and (4.0) TFL. Favors has (35.5) stops and (8.0) TFL. Senior LB Matt Meyer 6-1 (185) has had a great season with (51.0) tackles and (10.0) TFL. Patrolling the secondary is senior safety Lester with (38.5) tackles. The Crusader defense is allowing (13.5) ppg.

CLASS 4A

LEMARS (5-4) @ SERGEANT BLUFF-LUTON (8-1)

KICKOFF: 7:00 PM

Two teams very familiar with each other square off for the second time this season. The Warriors won the game back on October 10th (35-7) which saw the Warriors score (21) second quarter points to take a commanding lead 21-0 headed into halftime. The Warriors were able to keep the high powered Bulldog in check by moving the chains and winning the time of possession battle by rushing for (403) yards. The Bulldogs and their high wire passing attack led by senior Jami Sitzmann are looking for the upset tonight on the road.

The Bulldogs of head coach Ken Vigdal have had another good season in the Ice Cream Capital of the World! Senior QB Jami Sitzmann 5-9 (180) has had a solid year passing for (1,422) yards and (22) touchdowns. Outstanding senior WR Tycen Augustine 6-1 (175) leads the Dogs with (29) receptions for (726) yards and (13) touchdowns. Senior athlete Andrew Grant 6-2 (190) has been productive with (462) yards on the ground and (3) scores. Grant also has (375) yards receiving and (4) touchdown receptions. The Bulldogs average (23.8) ppg.

On the defensive side of the football the Bulldogs are led by Augustine with (47.0) tackles and (3.0) TFL. Senior Kougar Sargisson 6-0 (195) has (46.5) tackles and (6.0) TFL. Senior Tegan Bogh checks in with (43.5) tackles. The Bulldog defense has allowed (18.0) ppg.

The Warriors of head coach Justin Smith are 19-2 over their last (21) games and have a team that can reach the semi-finals under the U.N.I. Dome. This year's team has several leaders up and down the roster. Senior QB Isaiah Jervik (435) yards passing and (7) passing touchdowns.

Jervik has also been effective on the ground with (353) yards and (7) scores. Junior RB Beckett Verros leads the rushing attack with (1,019) yards and (11) scores. Senior RB/LB Joey Hardy has rushed for (423) yards and (6) scores. The main receiving threat is senior WR Gavin Warren with (17) receptions for (232) yards and (7) touchdowns. The Warriors are averaging (37.8) yards per game behind a steam rolling running game.

The Warrior defense is led by University of South Dakota commit senior Hardy with (19.0) tackles and (5.0) TFL. Sophomore Justin Ehlers has tallied (25.0) tackles. Other impact defenders include junior Aden Konopasek with (29.0) tackles and standout junior Xavier Jones with (51.5) tackles and (8.5) TFL. The Warriors are holding opponents to (12.6) ppg.

CLASS 5A

Dallas Center Grimes (7-2) @ SC East (8-1)

KICKOFF: 7:00 PM

A very intriguing game takes place at Olsen Stadium tonight when the Black Raiders host an experienced Mustangs team who is traveling the (145) mile trek to Sioux City. Black Raider head coach Mike Winklepleck has a team capable of making a run to the U.N.I. Dome in Cedar Falls. The Mustangs come in off a three game win streak and will feature a formidable team.

The Mustangs of head coach Scott Heitland brings his team into tonight's game looking to trade punches with SC East. The Mustangs enter the contest with a 4-1 road record on the season. Junior QB Chase Engel 6-3 (195) has passed for (1,677) yards and (15) passing touchdowns. Junior RB Osborn Grimm has rushed for (832) yards and (6) touchdowns. The leading WR for the Mustangs is junior Chase Heitland 5-10 (160) who has (39) receptions for (505) yards and (5) touchdowns. Heitland has also rushed for (84) yards and (3) scores. Sophomore WR Gabe Wright 5-10 (155) has also pulled down (27) receptions for (414) yards and (2) scores. The Mustangs average (27.6) ppg on offense.

The Mustang defense is led by senior LB Connor Stolpe 6-1 (220) with (99.0) tackles and (12.0) TFL. Senior LB Jace Kiley 6-2 (190) has (53.0) tackles and (4.0) TFL on the year. The Mustangs are active on defense with (11) fumble recoveries and (11) interceptions. The Mustang defensive unit is allowing (13.3) ppg.

The Black Raiders have worked very hard to earn a home playoff game and are looking to make good on their four game win streak which includes a key victory over Johnston 21-17 on the road a few weeks back.

Senior QB Cal Jepsen 5-10 (185) a three-year starter triggers an explosive balanced offense. Jepsen has passed for (2,110) yards and (22) touchdowns. The running game features junior Amos Collins (481) yards and (4) touchdowns along with senior Mandell Groetken (197) yards and (3) scores is looking to rebound following an injury plagued season. The Black Raiders have a D-1 prospect at WR with sophomore speedster Isaiah Grant 6-1 (190) who has been the recipient of (40) receptions good for (623) yards and (7) scores. Junior TE Kason Clayborne 6-3 (220) is an excellent receiver as well with (20) catches for (188) yards and (3) scores. Sophomore WR Tanner Boonstra has been reliable with (32) catches for (434) yards and (5) touchdowns. The Black Raider offense is averaging (30.8) ppg.

The Black Raider defense has some very good players across the defensive front including senior DE Jack Ohman 6-5 (230) with (35.0) tackles and (11.5) TFL. Senior DE Colin Pittenger 6-2 (250) has picked up (43.5) tackles and (14.0) TFL. Senior LB Jake Breyfogle 6-2 (220) is solid with (63.0) tackles and (12.0) TFL. Clayborne has been very active at OLB with (42.5) tackles and (7.5) TFL. The Black Raider defense is allowing (14.1) ppg