August 22, 2018 at 3:10 p.m.
Pigskin preview: Tomahawk at Rhinelander
Hodags look to use Prescott as blueprint for Week 2 game against Hatchets
Pigskin preview: Tomahawk at Rhinelander
This week, as the team seeks its fourth straight win dating back to last season, coach Chris Ferge said the blueprint to winning Friday night's Week 2 matchup against Tomahawk at Mike Webster Stadium, is very similar to the one that was successful in the season opener.
"The keys are going to be not turning the ball over and whoever's able to run the ball. That's going to be who wins," Ferge said.
The Hatchets will be no pushover tomorrow night, especially coming in off an impressive 20-14 win over traditional Central Wisconsin Conference power Shiocton last Friday. Tomahawk defeated Rhinelander 30-14 last season. Though a number of seniors graduated from that squad - including versatile quarterback Easton Phalin - the team was still able to rack up 331 yards of offense against Shiocton.
"They had a good week," Ferge said. "They looked pretty good on film and they were able to run the ball very well. They did turn the ball over a little bit and then they just stuck to their ground game more than anything. Their quarterback's a very good athlete. Their running back's a very good athlete. Their tight end's a very good athlete. They have some guys that play line. They're tough kids."
The big three Ferge alluded to are Max Bembinster, Wyatt Wenniger and Cody Jablonski. Bembinster, a senior, rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown in last week's win. Wenniger, who has moved to quarterback this year, was 6 of 10 passing for 77 yards. He rushed for a touchdown and threw for another, which went to Jablonski.
"Tomahawk's going to have a good running attack so we've got to make sure we stop that," Ferge said.
Defensively, Ferge said he expects some sort of nickel look out of the Hatchets, in either a 4-2 or a 5-1 front.
Some other things to watch heading into Friday's game:
A Drake-onian ground game
The Hodags punished Prescott on the ground last week to the tune 229 rushing yards. The majority of the load went to junior tailback Drake Martin, who rushed for 177 yards and three scores on 33 carries.
A good portion of Martin's yards came after first contact, a credit to both his vision and his bruising ruunning style.
"Drake had an unbelievable game and showed a lot of heart," Ferge said. "There were some runs, especially in the first half when everyone was full throttle and had all their energy, where he just willed us to first downs and kept us the ball. He's worked extremely hard to be in this kind of condition to be ready to play like that. I was very proud of him."
While commending the offensive line for its performance last week, Ferge said the line needs to improve on getting to the second level and sustaining its blocks through the whistle.
Fortuitous defense
Rhinelander held Prescott to 188 yards of offense in the opener and generated three turnovers. Yet the Cardinals had plenty of scoring chances - driving to Rhinelander's side of the field on six of their eight possessions - to come away with only six points.
"I was happy with the defense, but I wasn't completely satisfied," Ferge said. "We turned them over a lot, which was great. We bent but we didn't break, but there's just some things we weren't doing quite right to how I'd like it. We're going to work on that this week and get better at that."
Wear them out
Rhinelander's ground game wore down Prescott during the second half last week. The Hodags want to do the same thing against a Tomahawk team with only 34 players on its roster, 15 of whom are freshmen.
"It's the same kids playing offense and defense," Ferge said. "We've got some of that too, but they truly have guys going both ways. We've got to take advantage of that and make sure, especially in the third quarter, we're pushing the tempo."
Natural rivals
Tomorrow night's came is a non-conference game, but don't let that fool you about the intensity of this game. Tomahawk is a member of the Great Northern Conference in every sport except football. The players from both teams are familiar with each other from other sports and both teams compete in the Northwoods 7-on-7 passing league during the summer.
"The only live 30 minutes away," Ferge said. "They want this game. They're not going to come here and lay down. Our kids have got to be ready for that."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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