LAST YEAR — With a playoff spot up for grabs, W-G topped DMC in a 12-8 scrum at Hawk Stadium. W-G threw just three passes, completing one for six yards. The team ran 38 times for 165 yards and received a seven-yard touchdown run and an 85-yard fumble return for a TD from senior Michael Connor. W-G freshman linebacker Austin Scharlau had 8.5 tackles, one for a loss of yardage. DMC was 10-26-2 for 139 yards passing and required 41 carries to gain 73 yards on the ground.
PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS — While it is mathematically possible for something wild to happen, the odds are, as they say, l-o-n-g. So, for the second consecutive year, the fourth spot in Class 1A D8 will belong to the W-G vs. DMC winner, with the loser eliminated.
ABOUT THE LIONS — DMC is 1-2 outside of D8 play, having defeated West Central Valley, 30-6, in week one before a 38-20 loss to Ogden the following week, with Madrid topping the Lions, 46-20, in week five. Both W-G and DMC have fallen to Panorama and Van Meter (DMC by scores of 49-27 and 34-0, respectively) and both have defeated Southwest Valley (DMC won, 33-14). The difference comes against Central Decatur and I-35. W-G topped Central Decatur, 22-20, but DMC fell to the Cardinals, 22-19, and while W-G suffered an 8-2 loss at Truro, DMC was able to leave with a 29-23 victory.
Junior quarterback Nathan Herbers is 58-127-11 for 1,069 yards and 14 TDs. The receiving chores have been widely distributed, with Antony Muse (18-441, 5 TDs), Jake Lowe (12-237, 3 TDs) and Matt Brightman (9-171, 1 TD) the lead trio.
DMC has 1,474 yards and 10 scores on the ground on 389 carries, with Jonathan Weaver (138-689, 3 TDs) leading the way. Muse (46-383, 4 TDs), Herbers (67-176, 2 TDs) and Lowe (41-162, 1 TD) have also seen plenty of duty porting the pigskin.
The Lions have intercepted 12 passes and recovered five fumbles. The team has blocked a punt for a TD and Muse has an 80-yard kick return for a score.
Carter Patterson’s 61.5 tackles leads the defense, with Muse (56.5), Evan Gaynor (50.5) and Weaver (46) playing important roles. Junior lineman Sam Bruxvoort has 33 tackles, 10 of which have been behind the line of scrimmage.
ABOUT THE HAWKS — W-G began their 2015 with a 1-3 record before rolling off three straight wins. A 41-6 loss to visiting Van Meter last week dropped the Hawks back to 4-4 and forcing a must-win game Friday if the team is to keep alive their current streak of eight consecutive playoff appearances.
Quarterback Brendan Bird is 28-of-67 for 334 yards and two TDs while being intercepted three times.
Both scores have gone to Johnnie Morgan (8-134), with Race Brant (12-133) also a main target while Logan Canova has five grabs for 45 yards.
The Hawks have rushed 347 times for 1,222 yards and 11 events to the end zone.
Junior tailback Tanner Vermaas has 62 percent of the team rushes (214) for 75 percent of the team yards (920) and has scored nine times. Brant has 147 yards on 39 rushes, with fullback Josh Saak scoring twice while gaining 102 yards on 27 runs.
W-G continues to lead Class 1A in fumble recoveries with 18, a number four better than any other 1A team and which is fourth-best among all classes. The Hawks have returned one fumble for a score and have made two interceptions.
Scharlau leads the team in tackles with 48.5, with Morgan adding 42 stops, Vermaas 41.5 (including three sacks) and Saak 40.
Probable Starters
WOODWARD-GRANGER Offense
No. Pos. Name Yr. Ht. Wt.
58 LT Drew Jacobson 11 6-2 230
62 LG James Barger 12 6-0 210
74 C Josh Groves 12 5-10 245
52 RG Hunter Vermaas 12 5-10 220
71 RT Brody Easter 10 6-2 225
33 TE Logan Canova 10 6-2 222
14 QB Brendan Bird 10 6-0 195
27 FB Josh Saak 10 5-9 160
28 TB Tanner Vermaas 11 5-10 188
20 SB Race Brant 12 5-8 168
13 SE Johnnie Morgan 12 6-0 165
WOODWARD-GRANGER Defense
No. Pos. Name Yr. Ht. Wt.
33 DE Logan Canova 10 6-2 222
58 DT Drew Jacobson 11 6-2 230
52 DT Hunter Vermaas 12 5-10 220
61 DE Joe Sturgeon 10 6-0 225
55 LB Nick Musich 12 5-10 170
27 LB Josh Saak 10 5-9 160
28 LB Tanner Vermaas 11 5-10 188
24 LB Austin Scharlau 10 5-9 155
13 FS Johnnie Morgan 12 6-0 165
20 CB Race Brant 12 5-8 168
12 CB John Stucker n/a n/a n/a
DISTRICT 8
| District | Overall | Point Diff Avg |
|||||
| Win | Loss | Tie | Win | Loss | Tie | ||
| Van Meter | 5 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 13.00 |
| Panorama | 5 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 8.67 |
| Des Moines Christian | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 | -2.00 |
| Central Decatur | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 | -2.40 |
| Interstate-35 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | -2.60 |
| Woodward-Granger | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | -3.40 |
| Southwest Valley | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | -13.00 |
Friday’s Games
Woodward-Granger at Des Moines Christian
Panorama at Woodward Academy (ND)
Southwest Valley at Interstate-35
Van Meter at Central Decatur
