HCHS AT DC-GRIMES PLAYOFF NOTEBOOK & REACTIONS

Defensive Battle
 The game was controlled by two outstanding defenses as neither team gained more than 200 total yards (DC-G 188, HCHS 180).
 The Cyclones put together a five-play, 98-yard scoring drive in the first quarter - most of it on Johnathan Monson’s 77-yard option scamper - and also had a 14-play, 74-yard drive in the second quarter that ended on downs at the Mustang 21 when Connor Frame was unable to haul in Monson’s fourth-down pass to the end zone, which was well covered.
 Other than that, the longest net drive for HCHS covered just 13 yards and field position was also a problem as the Cyclones began eight out of 11 possessions inside their own 20. Their best starting field position was their own 35.
 DC-G, meanwhile, started four offensive series in HCHS territory and two others began close to midfield. The only Mustang touchdown drive covered just 13 yards following a special teams fumble by the Cyclones. DC-G’s only drive of 30-plus yards was a nine-play, 65-yard series that ended on downs at the Harlan 9 early in the fourth quarter.
 “I thought it was a great football game,” said DC-G coach Scott Heitland. “Two outstanding defensive units taking their turn out there all night. It reminded me of a great pitchers duel that ends 1-0; not real flashy in the score category but to those who watched carefully a really good game."
Turnover Margin: 4-1
 The Mustangs’ only turnover of the game did waste a scoring opportunity but was not costly. One play after DC-G intercepted a pass at the Cyclone 38, quarterback Ty Walker threw a deep pass that was intercepted by Johnny Monson at the 5-yard line.
 HCHS, on the other hand, turned the ball over four times on two Monson interceptions and two punt team mistakes that led directly to DC-G’s nine points - a short TD drive and a fourth-quarter safety on a punt snap through the end zone. The Cyclones were also unsuccessful on a desperation fake punt attempt late in the game.
 “A few plays went our way and we were able to capitalize on them,” Heitland stated. “A credit to our defensive and special teams units that had prepared well all week. I felt that we really did a nice job limiting Harlan’s run game and did a good job getting to the ball and gang tackling so that they couldn’t get lots of yards after contact. Monson had the big run early that set up the TD, but after that I felt the kids really settled in and played well."
Willey impresses
 DC-G junior linebacker Blake Willey impressed the Cyclone coaches on film and was a thorn in their side much of the night with nine solo tackles and two assists. Willey played middle linebacker in the Mustangs’ 5-3 front.
 “He was kind of like having two backers in there,” said HCHS coach Todd Bladt. “We just couldn’t get a guy on him, couldn’t get him locked up. We were constantly fighting with that cat and he was making play after play and running things down from the back side. He’s a good player. He’s probably the best (linebacker) we’ve seen this year... but we needed to do a better job of scheming for him and we just didn’t quite realize how much of a downhill, good player he was watching film.
 “They have a great defense... Their coach does a nice job with them and they kind of moved the chess pieces into the right directions tonight and got in front of us.”
Slick Field
 Bladt also felt that a cold, slick grass field may have limited both teams offensively. The Cyclones were playing just their second game all year on natural grass.
 One of the areas perhaps most affected by the slick turf was the option game. Outside of Monson’s 77-yard run early in the game, the Cyclones were unable to establish much of a ground game, especially on plays designed for Monson.
 “It was back side pursuit. We were having a real hard time getting that thing scooped up front side,” Bladt said. “Two or three times it looked like it was going to go and we had a tackle slip or we had a guard that didn’t get up to the next level or missed (Willey) running through.
 You can’t have negative plays on first down and that’s what we were getting. Whether it’s slick turf or what not - really don’t care. You’ve got to get your job done out there on the field and that’s part of it - getting seven cleats in the ground and churning. There’s no excuse.”
Tip of the Cap
 Coach Heitland added that the Mustang coaches and players have the utmost respect for the Cyclone football program and were impressed by them on the field.
 “Our kids knew it was gonna be a battle all night,” he said. “Coaches Curt and Todd Bladt guided that team through a tough district and they were every bit as good as we thought them to be. I’m very proud of our kids and how they have battled in close games this year."
Fries injury
 One of the Cyclones’ main spark plugs on defense all year did not play in the second half. Senior defensive end Allen Fries, who led the team with 27 tackles for loss and 10 sacks on the year, took a helmet to the thigh late in the first half and said he was unable to run well enough to continue.
 Fries, who is also a member of the marching band, did not play football as a freshman but became a big part of the HCHS defensive line’s success during the last three years.
 “It’s been some of the best years of my life, playing with these guys and the guys before me,” he said. “I couldn’t ask for better teammates. It was a great time... I think we had one of the best (d-lines) of my career (this season). We just all worked great together, had awesome chemistry. It just always clicked.”
Future looks bright
 HCHS will lose nine seniors to graduation who started on at least one side of the ball during the 2019 season, but will also return a solid nucleus of players next fall. The Cyclones’ top five tacklers vs. DC-Grimes were all sophomores and juniors and freshman Aidan Hall became a starting safety in Week 7.
 “It’s a small (senior) class that’s got some real quality to it, but we’ve got young guys that are going to step up,” Bladt said. “The freshmen were undefeated, the sophomores were in there a lot. We’ve got a lot of juniors that are going to get significant time.
 “The future does look bright, but it’s pretty dark until the dawn right now. You’ve got to win when you’re in the moment because nothing’s guaranteed in the future.”

 
 

 

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