Blackhawks seek a return trip to the Dome

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WESSINGTON SPRINGS — With a 9-1 record, second-seeded Sioux Falls Christian is eyeing a chance to avenge its only loss of the season. That opportunity would present itself if the Chargers and top-seeded Sioux Valley would meet in the Class 11B title game in Vermillion.
Both teams sit just one win away from that happening. Sioux Valley will host No. 5 Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan, while Sioux Falls Christian hosts No. 3 Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central in the semifinals on Friday.
Sioux Falls Christian coach Jake Pettengill knows his team can’t afford to be looking past the Blackhawks, who are also 9-1, when the two teams meet at 7 p.m., at the University of Sioux Falls’ Bob Young Field.
“That’s all good and exciting, but I don’t want to look there yet,” Pettingill said of a possible rematch with Sioux Valley. “I can look there all week and then get beat by Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central and then all it was was a great thought.
“We tried that the week against Canton, thinking we can get by these guys because we beat them 36-12 before,” he said his team’s opening-round matchup where it escaped with a 28-22 win. “It was fun, but we should’ve been upset. We were blessed to get through that game.”
Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central coach Jason Kolousek says the semi-final matchup will be a challenge for his team, which is coming off a 60-6 victory against Red Cloud in the quarterfinals.
“Sioux Falls Christian is a traditional power in 11-man football,” Kolousek said. “In years prior to this year they have been one of the better teams in Class 11A. This year they made the transition to 11B.
“They are a very good team with their only loss coming to undefeated Sioux Valley,” he said. “It will be a big challenge for us, but at this point in the playoffs, all the teams are very good teams.

Both teams rely heavily on the success of their running games, however, Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central brings in the more balanced offensive attack.
“Our ground game, led by our offensive line, has been very productive  all year long. We will need to be able to run the ball for sure,” Kolousek said. “They bring a unique defensive front look that we will have to adjust to, but it will come down to everyone doing their job to their best ability.
“We know we have to be diverse,” he said. “We have not had to pass a lot this season, but we are confident in Trent Kingsbury connecting with our wide receivers in getting first downs as needed and making big plays.”
Sioux Falls Christian is a more run-oriented team and has had tremendous success with its rushing attack. Junior Parker Nelson, who is a speedster in the backfield for the Chargers, has rushed for more than 1,750 yards this season, while junior quarterback Dawson Mulder has carried the ball into the end zone 12 times this season.
“We’ve thrown the ball about 20 times this year and I don’t anticipate throwing it any more this game,” Pettengill said. “We play physical smash-mouth football and my hope is we can play physical smash-mouth football against these guys.
“We’re going to run and they know we are going to run,” he said. “When we try to do something else and get fancy, we are not nearly as talented.”
While the Chargers have had tremendous success offensively this season, Pettengill knows his defensive unit will be tested by the Blackhawks.
“I know they are well coached and a very athletic, senior-oriented team,” Pettengill said. “They have one of  the best running backs in the state in John Witte. I have a ton of respect for the way he runs and the way he plays.
“Trent Kingsbury is very, very athletic and very talented,” he said. “They have some big guys up front, so we’ll have to come out and play if we want to have a chance against them.”
Defensively, Kolousek knows his team will need to be on top of its game as well.
“They execute their offense very well. We are going to have to be very physical and disciplined on defense to slow them down,” he said. “They block well and their backs have a lot of speed. We need to limit their big plays.”
The winners of today’s games will square off in the Class 11B championship game, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. Nov. 10 at the DakotaDome in Vermillion.

Photo:

Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central quarterback Trent Kingsbury rips off a large gain in last week’s Class 11B quarterfinal win over Red Cloud. Kingsbury will lead W/WS/SC against second-seeded S.F. Christian on Friday, with the winner punching their ticket to the 11B finals at the DakotaDome.

Photo by Mike Carroll/plainsman