Published: November 03, 2009 10:52 pm         

Broncs aim for playoff berth in C-3

Kremlin-Hillsdale will be looking for a little history Friday when the Broncs host Covington-Douglas with fourth-place in District C-3 on the line.

A win would give the Broncs (4-3 in C-3 and 5-4 overall) their first playoff berth and winning season since Kremlin-Hillsdale won the Class C state championship in 2000.

“It’s a huge deal for our kids and the people of Kremlin and Hillsdale,’’ said Broncs coach Brent Hendrix. “Our whole goal this season was to get to a game where it meant something in Week 10.’’

The Broncs have scored more than and allowed more than 400 points this season (407-401).

With 13 players on the roster, they didn’t have the luxury of getting to go 8-on-8 in practice.

“The kids have had to rely on each other,’’ Hendrix said. “Now that we have everybody healthy, we have a shot to do something.’’

End Dan Copage, who has struggled with a torn quad muscle, will be able to play Friday, giving the Broncs a quality defender.

“It’s been a struggle to keep him from going full speed the last three weeks,’’ Hendrix said. “We had to restrain him not to re-injury it.’’

Copage “gives us a guy up front who can create a little havoc,’’ Hendrix said. “He likes to hit people.’’

Quarterback Jake Streck has thrown for 41 touchdowns to three stellar receivers — Mitchell Foote, Ricky Streck and Ty Zaloudek. The trouble is the Broncs have given up 277 points in their four losses.

Covington-Douglas comes into the game averaging 39.1 points per game.

“They will run right at us,’’ Hendrix said. “We have to make a few stops here and there. If we can create a few turnovers, it could be a big factor.’’

Hendrix said a playoff berth could be a major boost for the future.

“If we can win, we know what it would take to get there and build off that,’’ he said. “If we don’t, we still have that (playoff) hurdle still out there to climb.’’



History on Wildcats’ side



Covington-Douglas (4-3, 5-4) has the advantage of being accustomed to big games. The Wildcats have reached the playoffs eight of the last nine years, including the last five.

“I hope that’s something that benefits us,’’ said Wildcats coach Brian Smith. “(Kremlin-Hillsdale) will be fired up, especially being their Senior Night. Our seniors don’t want to be known as the class who broke the streak.’’

The best defense for Streck, Smith said, is the Wildcats controlling the ball and not giving the Broncs a short field to work with.

With Wildcats quarterback Brett Stopp not playing much defense, Covington-Douglas has had the luxury of Stopp simulating Streck in practice.

“He doesn’t move as well as Jake does in the pocket,’’ Smith said, “but he can simulate a lot of things. We feel like we will be prepared for him. I just hope we can slow him down.’’

Covington-Douglas has allowed more than 100 yards passing three times this season — Garber, Timberlake and Deer Creek-Lamont. The Wild-cats lost all three games.

The Wildcats have had four 200-yard passing games and five games with 200 or more yards rushing. Dylan Sterling has scored 19 touchdowns. Stopp has thrown for 13 scores.

“If we can play clean and crisp, we can control the ball,’’ Smith said. “We have to play well on the offensive side and help our defense out. We don’t want to get in a shootout with them.’’

Lineman Dillon Cook, who has missed much of the season because of a concussion, has been cleared to play.

“We had 26 players out today for practice,’’ Smith said.

Covington-Douglas has won the last eight meetings, including 40-26 last season. The Wildcats lead the series 24-17 since 1970.

Streck threw for 378 yards last season but Covington-Douglas counters that with 349 yards rushing and 124 yards passing.



Defense wins titles



Garber’s 38-6 District B-1 clincher over No. 2-ranked Canton Friday was another example of why defense wins championships.

The defensive front of Hayden Vencl, Garrett Alwert, Derek Maly, James Semrad and Zac Powell combined to have seven sacks and six hurries. Alwert had 10 tackles and one sack.

“That was the kind of pressure we wanted,’’ said Wolverines coach Mark Harmon.

“Coach (Jonathan) Robbins and coach (Ryan) Cinnamon did a great job getting them ready.’’

Defensive back Cade Oller had 12 tackles and an interception.

The win over Canton gives Garber two home playoff games, provided the Wolverines can beat the fourth-place team in District B-2 in the first round.

“It’s a big thing for these young men to win the district but we still haven’t played our best game of the season,’’ Harmon said.

“We want to continue to get better and put that (best game) together when we really need it.’’

The Wolverines (9-0 overall) will take a 23-game winning streak into the season finale against non-district foe Medford (2-7).

It will be Garber’s Senior Night.