WEEK 9 PREVIEW
By BRANDON HURLEY
Sports Editor
Fresh off their first win of the year, the Greene County football team heads to Huxley for the season finale.
Ballard (5-3, 3-3) bested Gilbert, 49-41, in a high-scoring affair last Friday in week eight and will look for more against a Ram defense that allowed just 95 yards against Perry.
The Bombers’ offense (30.5 PPG) goes as their lethal backfield duo of quarterback Max Stolz and tailback Hunter Wright go.
Together, the tandem rushed for a combined 451 yards in their week eight win. Stolz needed just 11 carries to rack up 164 yards while Wright produced 287 and two touchdowns on 27 carries.
For the year, the combo has produced 1,863 yards and 17 touchdowns. Wright alone has toted the rock 173 times for 1,289 yards and 15 touchdowns.
In five of their seven losses this season, the Rams have allowed more than 200 rush yards. In Ballard’s win over Gilbert, Stoltz threw the ball just four times, completing all four.
“Offensively, we are going to see the same look that we show. Lot of single back offense,” Greene County head coach Dean Lansman said. “They are going to spread you out and attack with the run. But knowing the offensive coordinator, he will give you different looks.
The last time these two teams met was in 2009 when the Bombers won, 20-13. The size of the offensive line could play a role in the Rams getting pressure in the back field.
“Up front, they are probably one of the bigger teams we’ve seen all year,” Lansman said. “We are going to have to be physical and smart and not be out of position for them to make big plays.”
The Ballard defense has forced 10 turnovers this fall and is led by Seth Moore, who has recorded 104 tackles. Cade Wilson (78.5 tackles) and Ben Lee (67.5 tackles) round out the top three defenders. Over their last four games the Bombers have given up an average of 32 points per game, a stretch in which they have gone 2-2.
Greene County wide receiver Nick Schroeder has hauled in five catches for 189 yards and two touchdowns over the last two weeks. Tailback Trey Tucker has rushed for 184 yards and two touchdowns as well.
“(Ballard) will have a little bit of a deeper coverage. They will play for the run and will try to not give anything deep,” Lansman said. “We obviously need to try and establish the run like we have the last few weeks and keep them honest with the pass. Probably a more balanced attack on our end. Depending on what they are giving us, maybe we can hit the flats a little. But we want to start with the run.”
Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 in Huxley.
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