If you are one of those people that believe the 6-man game is akin to basketball on grass, then Shawn Randel is your coach.
The Eads football coach, who also coaches the Eagles’ boys and girls basketball teams, has a chance to pull off an unprecedented triple if he can guide the Eagles to their first title since winning their only one 20 years ago.
“It’s the same mind-set, whenever you coach any athletic team,” said Randel, who coached the boys and girls basketball teams to titles in 2001. “With basketball, we like to get up and pressure on defense, and it’s that same thing with football.”
Eads (9-1), playing its first season in 6-man, will host its first title game in school history Saturday against Idalia (10-0).
“The community was pretty torn when we went to 6-man, but I think a lot of that was just the unknown,” Randel said. “They just didn’t know how to react to it. Was it really football? But once they realized that you have to hit, run, tackle and catch they started to support it more and it wasn’t just out of curiosity.
“This community is excited for it.”
As well they should be. The Eagles traveled to Woodlin in the quarterfinals and blasted the West Central League champions. Last week against North champion and previously undefeated Peetz, Eads proved once again that it belonged.
The all senior backfield of quarterback Jacob Buck and running backs Trice Watts and Tyler McCracken have paced an Eagles offense that is averaging 47 points per game. The only setback for Eads came in Week 7 against Kit Carson, 66-14.
“Personnel wise, I think we match up well with anyone in the state, but we walked away from Kit Carson a little bit in doubt of that,” said Randel, whose team scrimmaged Idalia in Week 10 in Vona. “Our kids realize they can play with the big boys, and this will be a good challenge.”
Idalia overcame a major hurdle last week against Kit Carson. The Wolves, as they had done all day, rode their defense in the final seconds to shut down a Wildcats offense that was primed to go in for the winning score.
“That was one of the biggest games and tests we’ve had in a long time,” said Idalia coach Tim Gribben, whose team is in search of its sixth title since 1998. “The goal all year was to win the gold ball, and all last week did was put us in position to win it. There is still business at hand.”
Lucas Devlin will get a bulk of the work out of the backfield, but Eads will also have to be leery of sophomore quarterback Jonathan Castillo. Castillo’s leg could also be a key Saturday. As the Wolves’ kicker, Castillo’s two-point extra-point kicks are critical.
CLASS A 6-MAN | CHAMPIONSHIP STARTERS
IDALIA WOLVES (10-0)
Offense
QB – Jonathan Castillo, 5-9, 150, So.
RB – Lucas Devlin, 5-9, 160, Sr.
RB – Mitch Marostica, 5-9, 170, Jr.
E – Scott Cure, 6-4, 220, Sr.
C – Todd Shively, 6-0, 220, Sr.
E – R.J. Kleweno, 5-9, 200, Sr.
P – Jesse Castillo, 5-8, 145, So.
Defense
DE – Rodney Wade, 5-10, 160, Sr.
DE – R.J. Kleweno, 5-9, 200, Sr.
LB – Gabe Ramseier, 5-8, 160, Jr.
LB – Scott Cure, 6-4, 220, Sr.
DB – Jonathan Castillo, 5-9, 150, So.
DB – Lucas Devlin, 5-9, 160, Sr.
K – Jonathan Castillo, 5-9, 150, So.
Coach: Tim Gribben
Statistics
Rushing – Devlin, 72 carries-1,037 yards, 26 TDs; Casey Harrel, 32-226, seven TDs; G. Ramseier, 31-226, one TD.
Passing – Jo. Castillo, 27-for-68, 534 yards, 14 TDs.
Receiving – Cure, 16 receptions-268 yards, eight TDs; Devlin, 13-201, seven TDs; Harrell, 8-117, three TDs.
Championship game appearances (5-3) – 1991, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005.
EADS EAGLES (9-1)
Offense
QB – Jacob Buck, 6-1, 160, Sr.
RB – Trice Watts, 5-11, 180, Sr.
RB – Tyler McCracken, 5-7, 135, Sr.
E – A.J. Bolin, 5-10, 155, Jr.
C – Wes Richardson, 6-0, 185, Jr.
E – Kevin Lindholm, 6-1, 175, Jr.
P – Jacob Buck, 6-1, 160, Sr.
Defense
DE – Kevin Lindholm, 6-1, 175, Jr.
DE – Jacob Buck, 6-1, 160, Sr.
LB – Trice Watts, 5-11, 180, Sr.
LB – A.J. Bolin, 5-10, 155, Jr.
DB – Tyler McCracken, 5-7, 135, Sr.
DB – Adam Watts, 6-1, 150, Fr.
K – A.J. Bolin, 5-10, 155, Jr.
Coach: Shawn Randel
Statistics
Rushing – McCracken, 85 carries-831 yards, 17 TDs; T. Watts, 35-295, nine TDs; Lindholm, 26-338, seven TDs.
Passing – Buck, 51-95, 886 yards, 16 TDs, four INTs.
Receiving – Lindholm, 24 receptions-496 yards, seven TDs; Bolin, 11-118, six TDs; McCracken, 8-167, three TDs.
Championship game appearances (1-2) – 1984, 1986, 1988 (all in 8-man).
