If it has elements of speed and quickness, your team can do a lot of positive things with it.
The eight-man football teams from Montezuma and Easton Valley have those elements, and they’ve learned how to use them.
They meet in a Class 8 quarterfinals game Friday evening, Nov. 6, in Montezuma.
These two might leave the turf glowing in the dark.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Badger-Gabriel Field.
Montezuma (9-0) has its wide-out tandem of Cole Watts and Trey Shearer, who are both quick and fast. Shearer has 1,091 receiving yards and Watts has 1,069.
Easton Valley (9-1) has quick defenders who fly to the football. Last week, they stifled Gladbrook-Reinbeck running back Keagan Giesking, who had 2,179 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns this season.
Easton Valley limited Giesking two 26 yards on 22 carries. Gladbrook-Reinbeck rarely throws, and had no passing yards in this game. The River Hawks led 14-0 at halftime, but put up 27 in the third quarter of a seemingly improbable 55-0 win over an undefeated team.
As regards quickness, we’d be out of order if we didn’t mention the 2,590-yards-passing right arm of Braves quarterback Eddie Burgess. And, the “onboard computer” behind his eyes, that allows him to read defenses and make adjustments at we-don’t-know-how-fast speed before engaging his arms and feet.
Yes, feet, as in another 1.041 yards, by rushing.
These teams have compiled numbers that are parallel and prolific.
Montezuma has outscored its opponents by an average of 58 to 20. The River Hawks have done the same by an average of 57 to 18.
Easton Valley quarterback Conor Gruver, a 6-0, 160-pound junior, has completed 55 percent of his passes for 1,994 yards and 33 touchdowns.
He has three main receivers, with between 536 and 577 yards and eight and 10 touchdowns each.
Kolton Murphy, a 6-0, 165-pound senior, has rushed 190 times for 1,354 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Easton Valley averages 204 yards passing and 220 rushing. The Braves throw for 291 and run for 160.
Defenses for both teams is by committee, with a lot of guys seeing playing time.
Easton Valley’s loss was 54-34 to unbeaten Don Bosco, which pulled away late.
Both Montezuma and the River Hawks have similar numbers of interceptions and fumble recoveries.
“This Easton Valley team is going to be tough,” Montezuma Coach Pat O’Brien said. “They are fast and athletic,” he added. “It’s going to be a tremendous game.”
WINNER MOVES ON – To the semifinals next week in the UNIDome. Like last week, the state will seed the surviving four teams late Friday, and announce the pairings on Saturday.
