(Lenox) One of the state’s most feared rushing attacks rolls into the second round of the playoff this week. The 7th ranked and 9-0 Lenox Tigers host 8-1 and 10th rated Newell-Fonda.
Lenox has rushed for 2,939 yards this season which is 2nd only to state leader CAM. Coach Michael Nardini takes a look at the Mustangs. “What we see on film is a very disciplined team and a team that knows their assignments and they do it well. At this point in the year you have 16 teams left in 8-Player and you’re going to have the top tier teams coming at you.”
The Tigers beat Lamoni 52-8 to get to this game. That was on the heels of a 52-46 Week 8 win against Fremont-Mills to seal the district title. “More than anything they’ve been a top team for a long time. When you get into a game like that you know you are going to get a battle. Our kids being able to overcome that and go against their physicality and battle against them was a big win for us. It set the tone for our kids that we’ve had eight games and won all eight of them. It was a realization that we can do this thing.”
Junior Isaac Grundman has turned in a remarkable season with 1,556 yards on only 103 carries with 30 touchdowns. “This year he’s kind of adapted his style. He’s gotten stronger throughout the year and sees the field very well right now. When he sees a seam he just goes and when there’s nothing there he’s a little better at dancing a little bit and making guys miss and popping through. He’s getting a lot of broken tackles this year and is able to make those cross field cuts that he couldn’t last year. He’s just a very physical kid.”
Coach Nardini admits it’s a tough pod with Fremont-Mills and CAM on the other side, but at this point in year you can expect to face good teams and can’t be afraid to run with the big dogs.
Lenox coach Michael Nardini:
