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Friday, November 13, 2009
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Pequot hopes to keep running toward the dome Class 3A state quarterfinal preview
Mora Mustangs head coach Randy Qual knows all of the Pequot Lakes Patriots' numbers:
3,646 rushing yards or 331.5 per game. In three playoff wins, 937 rushing yards on 118 carries, an average of 7.9 yards per carry, and 312.3 yards per game.
Throw in a clean surface such as that at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, N.D., and the one at Public School Stadium in Duluth and that number jumped to 465 rushing yards.
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Pequot Lakes' Jacob Box (left) caught a pass in front of a Thief River Falls defender during the Patriots' Section 8-3A semifinal victory. The Patriots will play in their first state tournament game 3 p.m. Saturday at Duluth against Mora. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
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Another number on the mind of Qual is No. 12, the number worn by speedy tailback Matt Michaelson, who has rushed for 1,880 and 18 touchdowns to lead the Patriots to their first state tournament appearance.
"They're running game is top-notch," said Qual, whose Mustangs enter the state tournament for the seventh time in program history, but their first since 1996.
"Michaelson is a great running back with almost 2,000 yards and that shows he knows how to get it done. When you have a back like that it usually means that you have a great offensive line, which Pequot does."
Pequot Lakes vs. Mora
What: Class 3A state football quarterfinal
When: 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Public School Stadium, Duluth
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Stopping Pequot's running game is Qual's No. 1 priority when Mora faces Pequot Lakes in the Class 3A state quarterfinal Saturday at Public School Stadium. Yes, it's a turf field.
"It will be a good matchup," said Qual. "Our run defense has been pretty good. They average around 340 yards a game and we've only given up 122 per game. That will be the deciding factor in the game, if our defense can stop their running game."
Mora (9-2) has held opponents to 13.6 points and 234.6 yards per game. The Mustangs defeated Virginia 21-7 to win the Section 7-3A final.
Sophomore linebacker Tyler Carson leads the Mustang defense with 93 tackles. Senior Tyler Jones has 85 tackles, Nick Muehlberg 75 and Dylan Graves has 71 tackles to go with five interceptions.
Compared to the large line of Perham, Pequot head coach Chip Lohmiller said Mora is smaller, but more athletic. He's confident, in the way his offense is playing, that they'll put points on the board.
"Our offensive line is good," he said. "They're not huge, but they're physical and they stay on their blocks and won't give up. They'll get to the second level.
"But all we really need is a little gap for a second to get Cody (Chambers) and the running backs through. Cody is a huge part of the running package. If the line gives us a seam or a gap, and Cody leads through it, then the running back cuts off of Cody's block. Even our wide receivers are blocking well. That makes it so much easier to run the ball."
Even if Mora contains the running game, Lohmiller says Pequot still has a large playbook of unused plays ready.
"Against Perham we threw on a couple of third downs and completed the passes that we needed to," said Lohmiller. "Other than that we had no reason to throw the ball. We work on passing every week so it's not like we would be doing something we don't know how to do."
The Mustangs can throw the ball, too. Andrew Youngblom, who missed a few games with injury, has thrown for 1,066 yards and 10 touchdowns on 59-of-129 passing. His top target is Dylan Graves with 503 yards and four scores on 22 receptions. Traver Fields has 14 catches for 213 yards and three scores.
Mora prefers to run the ball and is led by Tyler Jones (852 yards, four touchdowns), Youngblom (555, 13) and Graves (387, 7).
"They have a balanced attack," said Lohmiller. "They have some great athletes at their specialty positions. Their quarterback can run and they have two wingbacks and a deep back who can carry the ball. They like to spread it around so you don't have one key, but you have to cover all the bases."
Chambers leads the Patriots' defense with 125 tackles. Chris Tappe next at 110 tackles.
"Their run defense is really sound," said Qual. "I think our passing game will come into play this week. Our passing can be pretty strong, but we're a run-first team."
JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5856.
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