FOOTBALL: Week 7 preview
By BRANDON HURLEY
Sports Editor
JEFFERSON – A dangerous, multi-faceted Gilbert offense trots into town Friday as Greene County (0-6, 0-4) takes aim at their first win of the season in a 3A, district two matchup.
The Tigers (5-1, 3-1) are fresh off a 38-14 win over Perry in week six and are led by dual-threat quarterback Steven Lawrence.
The senior has totaled 1,595 yards and 12 touchdowns through the first six games, including 768 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. He ran for 226 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown while throwing for 160 yards and a touchdown in last week’s win over the Bluejays.
Lawrence’s 827 passing yards are tops in the district while he is third in rushing yards.
Gilbert averages 30 points and 414 yards per game. Lawrence is spelled by backfield mate Cody Dvorak, who has rushed for 584 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Tigers boast a three-headed receiving core, as Ajay Reed, Phillip Roetman and Dvorak have all caught at least 15 balls. Reed leads the way with 17 catches for 277 yards and two touchdowns.
Greene County head coach Dean Lansman will have his players ready for an offensive scheme that can score in many ways.
“They will give us different looks from under center to spread,” Lansman said. “We just need to play fundamental defense and not allow them to make big plays, which they tend to do as their quarterback is very mobile and will put pressure at the line of scrimmage before passing or pulling it down to run.”
The Rams will face an average defense, as Gilbert has given up at least 25 points in three games this season. Finding success against another formidable district two foe is a matter of eliminating mental mistakes, Lansman said.
“Size-wise, they match up really well with us, which should help as well,” the coach said. “We should be able to be pretty balanced on offense between running and passing.”
After opening the season with five straight wins, the Tigers dropped a home contest to Boone (35-15) in week five, but bounced back with their 24-point win last week. The Tigers have also pulled off wins over Webster City (31-25) and Iowa Falls-Alden (33-12) for their 3-1 district record, which puts them in a tie for second with Webster City and Dallas Center-Grimes.
Outside of an explosive second quarter from Boone in week six and a handful of defensive touchdowns from Iowa Falls-Alden, the Greene County defense has taken steps here and there.
“We need to continue to build on what has worked for us,” Lansman said. “Having three touchdowns called back in the last two weeks due to penalty has not helped. We know we can execute, but need to play a pretty clean game.”
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. following the freshmen game at Linduska Field in Jefferson.
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