WESSINGTON SPRINGS — A move from Class 9AA to Class 11B hasn’t seemed to affect the Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central football team much, at least as far as making a postseason push is concerned.
The Blackhawks went 7-1 during the regular season and then escaped with a 13-10 victory against Mt. Vernon/Plankinton in the opening round of the postseason a week ago.
“Our first-round game with Mt. Vernon/Plankinton was a very tough game. We knew it would be, as we have been playing them for years, and they are always very competitive games,” W/WS/SC coach Jason Kolousek said. “Our kids were able to overcome some mistakes and make plays when needed.”
The Blackhaws, who are the third seed for the quarterfinals, will host sixth-seeded Red Cloud at 6 p.m. tonight in Wessington Springs.
“Facing Red Cloud is a different challenge,” Kolousek said. “Unlike Mt. Vernon/Plankinton, we do not know much about Red Cloud. We have no common opponents, but we did get some film on them. “They are athletic and spread the field out and allow their players to make big plays,” he said. “Their quarterback is very quick and talented, so our players just need to stay disciplined in doing their jobs.”
Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central has done much of its damage on the ground this season.
John Witte has racked up 1,557 yards rushing this season on 203 carries for the Blackhawks. He has cored 21 of the team’s 26 rushing touchdowns, while quarterback Trent Kingsbury has the other five on 353 yards rushing.
The tandem of Kingsbury and Witte have also led the passing attack for W/WS/SC. Kingsbury has completed 58 of 107 passes this season of 691 yards and eight touchdowns. Witte has a team-high 208 receiving yards with one touchdown.
Trey Weber has been the main scoring threat through the air for the Blackhawks. He has 127 yards receiving on 12 catches, which includes five for touchdowns.
Kingsbury has also thrown a touchdown each to Trey Ulmer and Logan Wolter.
“The key to our success this season is that our players worked hard in the offseason and continue to work hard each practice,” Kolousek said. “Our players also do an excellent job of doing their job and not trying to do too much.”
Defensively, Witte has recorded a team-high 50.5 total tackles for the Blackhawks. Wolster had 38 tackles, followed by Wesley Linke with 36, Jordan Hines with 32 and Kingsbury with 30.
Trey Weber and Ulmber have four and three interceptions, respectively, this season for W/WS/SC. Witte and Aiden Wormstadt each have a pair of interceptions, while Noah Dickson and Wolter each have and interception.
Witte, Devin Weber and Eric Ruml all have two fumble recoveries this season.
“On defense, we need to stay in position and tackle well in the open field,” Kolousek said. “We need to contain the QB, as he will run around and make plays.”
The winner of tonight’s game will advance to face the winner between second-seeded Sioux Falls Christian and No. 7 Groton Area in the semifinals on Nov. 3.
In the other quarterfinal bracket today, top-seeded Sioux Valley hosts No. 8 Aberdeen Roncalli and fourth-seeded Winner hosts No. 5 Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan.
Photo:
W-WS-SC halfback Trey Ulmer skirts the left end against Bridgewater/Emery/Ethan earlier this season.
