(Underwood) The Underwood football program is 36-5 over the last four years. The Eagles have been close to the dome in each of the past few years, but this team might represent their best shot to make it.
Their 2021 season came to an end with a 31-14 quarterfinal loss to eventual runner-up West Sioux. In 2020 is was a 33-14 quarterfinal defeat at the hands of eventual runner-up Van Meter. In 2019 they bowed out in the first round to a West Sioux team that made the semifinals. This year, that trio has all been split up. “Honestly it was a shock to us. We didn’t really know how the state would do that with West Sioux, Van Meter, and us all being on the Western side of the state. In the past few years they haven’t split us up so it was kind of a shock to see that. At the same time, we aren’t worried about anything other than this round of 16 game. ACGC is going to be one of the best teams we’ve seen all year obviously.” Coach Nate Mechaelsen says, “We know if we want to move on we’ll have to play our best game of the season. There’s no question about that. It truly is one game at a time.”
The task at hand on Friday is an ACGC squad that’s 7-2. “Obviously you have to gear up to stop the run. I don’t think they make any secrets about what they are going to do. We have to put our kids in position to defend it as well as we can. I don’t know how much different we’ll make things honestly, because we don’t want to mess with some of the basic principles that we do on defense, but there is an adjustment period there. Our kids have to be keyed into their assignments. There is no doubt we are going to have to be locked in just like every other week, but maybe more so this week just because of all the different looks they give you offensively and how run heavy they are.”
Underwood is allowing allowing 10.2 points per game and they’ve posted three shutouts. Their 23 interceptions are the most in the state in any class. The Eagle offense averages 53.8 points per game. Quarterback Alex Ravlin has set numerous school records this season. He’s #1 in Class 1A with 24 passing touchdowns and #1 in passing yards with 1,804. Coach Mechaelsen comments on the things that set Ravlin apart. “One of the best leaders on our football team and he has been the last 2-3 years.” Mechaelsen says, “I think he’s just really composed. He doesn’t get too up or too down depending on what’s going on in the game. He’s really even keel and good or bad it’s on to the next play and then just his competitiveness, his toughness.”
Pregame coverage starts with the “In the Huddle” show at 5:15 p.m. The call of the game can be heard on 96.5 FM KSOM at 7:00.
Underwood coach Nate Mechaelsen:
