UPDATE: This game has been cancelled. Click here for more info.
(Audubon) After outscoring their last two opponents 160-7 the Audubon football team will see a change of pace on their schedule this week. The Wheelers are in for a test against fellow unbeaten Coon Rapids-Bayard. KSOM will air the game.
It’s #1 vs #9 in the AP rankings. Wheeler head coach Sean Birks sets the stage…”I think everyone around here is pretty excited about this matchup. You’ve got neighboring communities, two teams last year that were 1st and 2nd in the district, two undefeated teams…It should be an exciting atmosphere Friday night. I know they are going to be ready for us, we have to be ready when we got off the bus.”
It’s through no fault of their own, but if Audubon has any weaknesses it might simply be in the fact that they haven’t had the experience of having to play from behind or make big plays with the game on the line. “There’s just no way to emulate it and duplicate it. Friday night is going to be a learning experience. I’m curious to see how conditioned we are and how well mentally and physically we handle being on the field for more plays.
When looking at Coon Rapids-Bayard there is a lot to be impressed about. “They are physical, they are hard-nosed. They want to pop you on both offense and defense. McAlister, Pevestorf, Ramirez, you can go right on down the list.”
Two of the first year starters have caught the eye of coach Birks with Tanner Oswald at quarterback and Gabe Obert at running back. “Their skill guys are really good. They were replacing (Peyton) Clipperton and (Jeffrey) Eagle who were two of their all-time greats and these two might be even better. The Obert kids has probably better breakaway speed than the Eagle kid. The Oswald kid isn’t the runner Clipperton was, but he’s still capable and he’s a better passer. The big thing for them is they’ve started to learn how to win.”
Coach Birks certainly took note of the Crusader’s 55-12 win over previously unbeaten Woodbine last week. “Their run game was impressive, their line was impressive, but more so just how excited they were to be there. How well they played and how fired up they were. They sent out a message to everybody. Trust me, we were keeping tabs on that. As soon as our game got over that was the first score we were looking for and I’m sure it got all of our kids attention.”
It’s two of the best 8-Player teams in the state getting together in Coon Rapids on Friday. KSOM’s coverage starts with the In the Huddle program at 5:15. The game will kick off at 7:00.
