Raiders, Roadrunners rematch opens postseason

MOUNT AYR – A Week Two rematch will be how the postseason starts for Mount Ayr (7-2) as they travel to Truro to take on Interstate 35 (9-0).

Critical matchups lie all over the field for Mount Ayr, whose two losses this season were to I-35 and Van Meter – both of which finished undefeated.

Interstate 35 took home the Class 1A District 7 crown in the final week of the season, defeating Pella Christian 21-18.

The Raiders’ big men up front will have their hands full against an aggressive Roadrunner defense that likes to bring pressure out of a 4-4 look.

Mount Ayr has been mixing and matching at offensive line and with the role the running game plays in the Raider offense, keeping the running lanes open will be crucial for success.

“Extremely crucial. ... They don’t have a lot of experience. Everything has to be thought through and its really difficult for lineman when it’s a methodical process on who to block,” said Showalter. “We’ve been working hard on communication. ... It’s going to be a challenge for us. There is no question about that.”

Jumping out early has been Mount Ayr’s gameplan this year as the Raiders are outscoring opponents 160-76 in the first half of ballgames this season.

Don’t expect the Raiders to shy away from running the ball with a number of different backs or quarterback Payton Weehler.

“We have to make sure we contain the edge. They’re going to want to roll out with their quarterback and that’s no secret,” said I-35 head coach Mike Stuart. “We cannot give up the edge. Period.”

Weehler has been the Raiders’ leading rusher, but Keelan Klommhaus has become more involved in the running game as of late.

Weehler and the Raiders are fond of finding wide receiver Dawson Frost over the top as well as Frost has 402 yards and six touchdowns through the air this season.

Special teams

The importance of special teams is talked about by every football coach, but the actual impact it has had for the Raiders has been remarkable.

Hunter Haveman’s electricity on kick returns has been impossible to miss and one more kickoff return for a touchdown would tie him for the most kickoff return touchdowns in a single season in 11-man history.

Haveman has four kickoff returns for scores this year with the all-time state record being five.

Last week Mount Ayr co-head coach Derek Lambert wondered why teams are still kicking to him and Showalter echoed those comments Wednesday.

“I can’t believe in the last couple of games they’ve kicked to him (Haveman),” said Showalter. “I’m sure they’re going to pay some attention to him and not give him opportunities.”

Interstate 35 head coach Mike Stuart wouldn’t divulge his intention of letting Haveman get involved in the return game, but noted the Roadrunners do have a plan in place if they kick him the football.

“They’re making huge plays on special teams and we can’t afford to give up huge plays that they’ve been getting their last four weeks,” said Stuart. “We are well aware of where he’s (Haveman) at and what number he is wearing and we have some adjustments in for it.”

Roadrunners’ playmakers

The Roadrunners are loaded with talent across the board and have playmakers on both sides of the ball.

Running back Mason Cassady (No. 6) and quarterback Joey Bregar (No. 7) have been the offensive workhorses for I-35 as Cassady has 1,271 yards rushing and Bregar has 1,100 yards through the air.

The third head of the Roadrunner monster is 6-4 wide receiver Richie Griglione (No. 22) who has caught 10 of Bregar’s 15 touchdown passes and has 667 receiving yards.

“He’s (Griglione) such a dangerous player and when you’ve got someone like Cassady you’re already focused on it makes your defensive task a lot more difficult,” said Showalter.

Bregar is the leading tackler on the defensive side of the ball for I-35 and has shown his capabilities to find the football all season.

Interstate 35 turned the ball over five times in the Week Two meeting and both coaches know limiting their own teams turnovers will be of extra importance given the platform of the contest.

“We’re not going to be able to turn the ball over five times and be successful. That’s for sure,” said Stuart.

Mount Ayr defense

The Raiders defense has allowed an average of 12.5 points per game in their seven wins this season, so slowing the I-35 offense will be an emphasis.

John Shields leads Class 1A in solo tackles for loss with 24 while Isaac Grose is second in Class 1A in solo TFLs with 17.

Both Mount Ayr co-coaches think the defense is playing its best football of the season right now, meaning that something will have to give.

Friday will be the 16th meeting between the two schools all-time in which Mount Ayr holds a 9-6 advantage, but the first meeting in the postseason and the Roadrunners have won the last three matchups.

STARTING LINEUP

MOUNT AYR (7-2)

Offense

QB – Payton Weehler 6-0 180 So.

RB – Kolben Klommhaus 5-8 160 Jr.

RB – Myles Greene 6-0 175 Sr.

FB – Keelan Klommhaus 5-10 185 Jr.

T – Cole Clymer 6-3 185 Jr.

G – Drew Willis 5-10 205 Sr.

C – John Shields 6-3 195 Sr.

G – Rhett Larson 5-10 160 So.

T – Chase Henry 6-1 220 Sr.

WR – Nathan Hauge 5-8 135 Sr.

WR – Dawson Frost 6-1 175 Jr.

Defense

End – John Shields 6-3 195 Sr.

DT – Drew Willis 5-10 205 Sr.

DT – Seth Shelman 6-1 175 So.

End – Isaac Grose 6-2 185 Jr.

OLB – Kolben Klommhaus 5-8 160 Jr.

ILB – Reas Knapp 5-8 175 Jr.

ILB – Keelan Klommhaus 5-10 185 Jr.

OLB – Payton Weehler 6-0 180 So.

FS – Hunter Haveman 6-0 170 Jr.

CB – Nathan Hauge 5-8 135 Sr.

CB – Dawson Frost 6-1 175 Jr.

Special Teams

K – Myles Greene 6-0 175 Sr.

P – Kolben Klommhaus 5-8 160 Jr.