We tend to fear the unknown, or dismiss it.
Neither would be an appropriate response for the Montezuma Braves as they prepare for Remsen St. Mary’s in the Class 8 football semifinals on at 9 Thursday morning in the UNI-Dome.
Reason: The Hawks aren’t entirely an unknown.
The two schools last – and possibly first – competed on March 7, 2019, in the Class 1A third place game at the state basketball finals at Wells Fargo Arena.
That was on a Thursday morning, too, as irony would have it.
What the Braves discovered was that St. Mary’s was fast, athletic and tenacious. St. Mary’s turned the crank on defense in the second half and edged the Braves, 50-49, for third place.
Guys who played key roles for both schools in that basketball game will oppose each other on the gridiron this time.
For the Braves, that would be wide receivers Trey Shearer and Cole Watts, and quarterback Eddie Burgess.
Hawks who were involved in that basketball game are quarterback Blaine Harpenau and receivers Austin Jensen and Damen Brownmiller.
When Braves Coach Pat O’Brien tells his troops this week that St. Mary’s is fast and athletic, they’ll glance at Burgess, Watts and Shearer for looks of affirmation – then listen.
When O’Brien tells them there is a path to victory, those three Braves will recall how close they came the first time . . a three-point lead with 3:13 to play . . .and that they won’t want this one to get away.
Thursday’s winner advances to the state championship game.
The Hawks have impressive stats, although their numbers don’t climb quite as high in the stratosphere as some of Montezuma’s.
But the stat that counts most is wins. They’re both 10-0.
St. Mary’s fell behind 21-7 after one quarter against unbeaten Audubon in their quarterfinal game, But came from behind with a 35-6 run to close out a 42-27 win.
St. Mary’s and Montezuma share Kingsley-Pierson as a common opponent. The Braves were 39-38 winners in week one. St. Mary’s beat K-P 48-13, but not until week six.
St. Mary’s has shown an ability to limit opponents defensively when needed. The Hawks are giving up 13 points a game, while scoring 51. Their closest game was an 30-28 win over an 8-2 traditional western Iowa power, Newell-Fonda.
St. Mary’s has beaten four winning teams (.500 or better). The combined record of all opponents is 40-44 (.480).
Braves opponents went 55-37 (.600), and seven were winners. Montezuma has averaged 58 points a game, and given up 22.
St. Mary’s has averaged 373 yards of offense per game. Montezuma’s number is 472.
A pair of quarterbacks, Harpenau (a 6-1, 170-pound senior) and Jaxon Bunkers, a 6-1, 190-pound sophomore, have thrown for 652 and 757 yards, respectively. They have combined for 19 passing touchdowns.
Brownmiller, a 6-2, 170-pound senior, has 543 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Austin Jansen, 6-4 and 190, has 428 yards receiving, including seven scores.
Top Hawks runner is Jeremy Koenck, a 5-9, 170-pound senior, who has 846 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has also caught six touchdown passes. Koenck leads the defense with 47.5 stops, and it’s a defense-by-committee.
For the Braves, Eddie Burgess is out there by himself with 3,107 passing yards and 50 touchdowns – plus 1,106 rushing yards and 24 more scores.
Shearer has 1,247 receiving yards and 24 scores. Watts has 1,210 yards and 17 scores. And Strong is at 462 yards and seven touchdowns.
Burgess leads Braves defenders with 76.5 tackles, including 12.0 for loss.
Another major stat weapon for Montezuma is kicker Owen Cook, who consistently gives the Braves great field position with his touchback kickoffs.
Numbers, numbers. Mindset will be huge in this one.
Grab a ticket, if you can find one, and be there! Please check the school’s website for the latest on ticket sales.
IF YOU CAN’T BE THERE – We know Energy 106.7 is doing the game live on the radio and internet, and the state will do live TV and livestreaming, all free, thanks to their sponsors!
