Will 6-0 Baxter be the best squad Montezuma’s football team has been across from?
Maybe. Perhaps even a definite maybe.
Will the 7-0 Braves be the best Baxter has seen?
Probably.
It has the makings of an excellent game when the two collide at 7 p.m. Friday evening, Oct. 8, at the Baxter Sports Complex.
“It will be a great game and the winner takes home a district championship,” said Montezuma Coach John Beck.
Montezuma’s coach spent some time looking ahead, and reviewing last week’s 87-0 run past Twin Cedars.
“Baxter has a lot of explosive athletes and a solid offensive line,” Beck said.
Quarterback Cody Dammann (5-9, 155) has completed 43 of 63 passes for 778 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also has run 68 times for 547 yards and 12 scores.
Rory Heer (5-10, 165) has rushed 68 times for 567 yards and seven scores. He also has run under 11 passes for 248 yards and four scores.
Jake Travis (5-8, 175), has caught 13 passes for 254 yards and six touchdowns.
“Defensively, they are much-improved and rally to the ball well,” Beck said.
“They also have a great coach who has been there a while and has had a lot of success,” said Montezuma’s coach. “He wiil have them ready to go and we will be getting their best shot.”
“Baxter is very good and will be a tough test for us,” Beck said.
Beck was pleased with Montezuma’s performance against Twin Cedars, particularly on defense.
“We rotate a lot of guys in there and they all did very well,” Beck said. “Again, Zach Bennett and Tod Geiger were the anchors. Gabe Wearmouth and Keatyn Stokoe also did a great job on the defensive line.”
“Our linebackers pursued very well and attacked downhill. Brett Plants and Marty Knox did everything we asked of them,” said the coach.
Beck again praised Owen Cook’s placekicking work. “He is a real weapon for us,” Beck said. That’s especially noteworthy this week, because Baxter hasn’t attempted a field goal or a conversion kick this season.
“Offensively, we clicked and spread the ball around to a variety of guys,” Beck said.
“Eddie passed the ball to six different guys and completed 10 of 11 throws. We wanted to get a lot of guys involved, and we really got that done,” Beck said.
“Connor Van Zee and Marty Knox both did a great job with their rushing opportunities. I really liked what I saw (four carries, three touchdowns) from them,” Beck said.
Two unbeatens meet over the ball at 7 p.m. Friday in Baxter. You’ll want to be there.