(Corning) SW Valley’s first round playoff draw sends them to Madrid. Both teams are 6-2 going into the playoffs.
Madrid is making their 28th playoff appearance. After a rare, four-year drought it’s now back-to-back postseason appearances for the Class A, District 6 runner-up. Coach Anthony Donahoo describes the Tigers as ‘Tough.’ “You talk about Madrid, you talk about the history they’ve had.” Donahoo says, “Man, they’ve got it rolling this year. They have a quarterback and a running back that are putting up some yards. They spread you out wide and they still want to be able to run it, but they can absolutely throw it too. Kind of a dynamic team.” He adds, “Defensively they fly around to the ball. On tape they look like a fast team. We are going to buckle up and have a great week of practice.
Coach Donahoo compares Madrid to Riverside, which the Timberwolves beat 49-21. “They get you spread out and if you don’t respect it they’ll go over top and pass the ball on you. But once they have you spread out they are able to find gaps.” He says, “We are going to have to matchup on the defensive line and take care of business there.”
Donahoo says SW Valley will have to tackle well against a Madrid team that averages 287 rushing and 105 passing yards per game.
The Timberwolves fell to the #3 seed in Class A, District 7 after a 33-14 loss to Mount Ayr last week. “Tough, physical game up front. It was a 14-6 game through almost three quarters. Credit to Mount Ayr. They came out on top. They were able to win the point of attack. I thought the offensive and defensive lines for Mount Ayr did an excellent job and limited our ability to rush the ball. We set up in too many 2nd and 3rd and longs.”
Coach Donahoo didn’t specifically use the term ‘over achieve’ with this group, but to be 6-2 and have only four seniors is impressive. “We knew we had a good group.” He says, “Definitely proud of where the boys are. We have a little ways to go and hopefully we aren’t done playing football on Friday.”
This season marks the first time since Corning and Villisca came together that SW Valley has made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. In the Timberwolves ten year history they have qualified for the postseason four times.
SW Valley coach Anthony Donahoo:
