There couldn’t be an 8-man football game better than last week’s 44-42 Montezuma win over Iowa Valley, could there?
I’m kidding, right? No . . .
Just so I don’t say, “I told you so,” you better buy your online ticket(s) for this Friday’s second round playoffs game.
Two really strong programs in Iowa’s Class 8 will meet over the football on Friday, Oct. 28, at Badger-Gabriel Field.
The Braves (8-2) will host Easton Valley (7-1) at 7 p.m.
The River Hawks were rated fifth in the final Associated Press poll of the season. Montezuma was tied for 10th.
“We will need another good performance against Easton Valley,” said Braves Coach John Beck. “They are a well-coached and battle-tested team that made it to the finals last year.”
And in the finals, CAM-Anita beat Easton Vallley 42-40, so the River Hawks have been on a mission this season.
“They have some very good athletes, highlighted by Hayden Felkey and Charlie Simpson,” Beck said.
Felkey is a 6-4, 200-pound quarterback and defensive lineman who was an all-state tight end last season.
Simpson is a 6-0, 220-pound battering ram of a running back.
Why did Felkey the all-state tight end become Felkey the quarterback?
It was out of necessity. Don Bosco handed the River Hawks a 34-30 loss in the season opener, and an injury to the Easton Valley quarterback led to Felkey’s taking over that role in the season’s second game.
Since then, Felkey has thrown 21 touchdown passes. And he wreaks genuine havoc from his defensive line position.
Simpson has averaged 11.7 yards per carry, but went off for 278 yards on 23 carries in last week’s 40-34 win over BGM.
The River Hawks needed every one of those yards, because Felkey went down with an injury on the second play of the game and didn’t return to action.
BGM became Class 8’s leading scoring team in the weeks after the Braves defeated them.
BGM built a 28-14 lead at one point, as Easton Valley’s number two quarterback also went down.
A freshman called signals and threw a touchdown pass as Easton Valley scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a comeback win.
Montezuma’s Beck is preparing to face whatever Easton Valley throws at the Braves.
“Just like every team this time of year, they have some guys banged up. But, if is playoff football time and I know just like our boys, they will be itching to find a way onto the field.”
“Their defensive line is one of the best in the state and our offensive linemen will need to be very disciplined against them,” Beck said.
“Their linebackers and defensive backs fly around and make plays everywhere,” said Montezuma’s coach.
“On offense, they are very efficient and run the ball well,” Beck said. “Simpson and Felkey are the focal points of their offense.”
“We need to be disciplined with our assignments and tackle well,” said the Braves’ head man.
“It should be a good game on Friday, with a trip to the quarterfinals on the line,” he said.
HAVE YOU ordered those tickets yet?