(Coon Rapids) No opponents so far this season have been able to put more points on the scoreboard than either West Harrison or Coon Rapids-Bayard. The Hawkeyes and Crusaders get together for a big Week 5 clash in Coon Rapids on Friday.
Crusader coach Chris Mohr says West Harrison is a veteran group. “They are just led by a bunch of seniors which is always nice to see and then they have great size and get after it. Their middle linebacker is just a tough nosed football player and plays nasty at times and that’s what you like to see out of a linebacker and offensive lineman.”
The Crusaders have outscored their last three opponents on average, 57-19. “Our running game. That’s our bread and butter and what we pride ourselves on. Obviously last year that didn’t happen for us and it showed. We have a good, balanced attack with Lance Clayburg, Omarian Floyd, and Wyatt Oswald. Those three guys have carried the most for us and have done a great job.”
Coon Rapids-Bayard ranks 5th in 8-Player in rushing yardage with 1,304 yards or an average of 326 yards on the round per game. The big difference from a year ago has been experience. “We were just young up front last year. We started a freshman and two sophomores on the offensive line. Now we have a sophomore and two juniors. Just experience is what has really paid off for us.”
Lance Clayburg has 575 yards and 12 TD’s while Wyatt Oswald and Omarian Floyd have been key rushing threats as well. They expected to be in the playoff hunt and while they still have a ways to go, they sit in good position right now. “It’s kind of what I thought it would shake out to be. It was our goal in the beginning of the season to be in that mix and we are. Our next four weeks are going to be a test every week. We have to be ready to go. This week we have West Harrison, next week Audubon, week after that CAM, and then finish with Exira-EHK. Our boys will be tested and we are definitely looking forward to the challenge and up for the task at hand.”
Slowing down West Harrison’s rushing attack which is led by Walker Rife will be a point of emphasis for Coon Rapids-Bayard this week.
Coon Rapids-Bayard coach Chris Mohr:
