September 19, 2018 at 1:11 p.m.
Pigskin preview: Mosinee at Rhinelander
After Bell Game loss, Hodags seek to bounce back against Mosinee
Pigskin preview: Mosinee at Rhinelander
Leading 13-12 at halftime, the Hodags could not withstand Antigo's second-half comeback, and fell 24-13 to the Red Robins.
But Rhinelander doesn't have time to wallow in defeat following its 12th straight loss in the rivalry game. The team needs to bounce back quickly as GNC championship contender Mosinee comes to town on Friday night.
As much as last Friday's loss stung, Rhinelander coach Chris Ferge said it's imperative for the Hodags to get back to work this week.
"I understand it's a letdown to some people because of the magnitude of the game, but it isn't any different than any other game," he said. "Every game, every week - no matter if it's the Bell Game, the Axe Game or a playoff game - you have to prepare for the other team. You go about it the same way. A lot of the methods we use are the same. We're not going to go away from them and do different things."
Mosinee comes to Rhinelander 3-2 overall following a 45-27 win over Lakeland last week. Averaging 28 points and 304.2 yards per game, the Indians will bring a high-powered offense into tomorrow night's matchup.
Some other things to know, heading into tomorrow night's contest.
Big play team
To corral Mosinee's offense, Ferge said the Hodag defense will need to eliminate the big play. That's something the Indians have thrived on this year. Nine of the team's 19 touchdowns so far this season have come from 20 yards or greater.
"They're a big-play team. Usually when they score it's on a big play, so we have to eliminate those big plays, defensively, and be able to score some points as well on offense," Ferge said.
The triplets, plus one
Mosinee teams typically have a good quarterback, a primary receiver and a standout running back. That's mostly true again this year.
Trey Fitzgerald has been strong through the air, completing a little more than 53 percent of his passes for 721 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. That included a 166-yard night on an efficient 10 of 16 passing in last week's win over Lakeland.
Loukas Trzcinski is by far Fitzgerald's favorite target, with 22 catches for 291 yards and four touchdowns on the season.
Mosinee graduated last season's leading rusher in the GNC, Justin Stubbe, but have replaced him with a two-headed backfield of William Kennedy and Carter Samples, who have an almost identical number of carries this year. Kennedy has rushed for more yards (326 to 221), but Samples has a 5-2 edge in the touchdown column.
"They're very good at throwing the ball," Ferge said. "They have a couple receivers that they really like and they'll just throw the ball up to them. They're very good at getting the receivers open. (The have an) explosive running back.
On defense
Ferge said Mosinee isn't flashy on defense, but is a solid unit overall. The Indians come in averaging 20.8 points and 326 yards allowed per game.
"I don't see glaringly any players that you have to look out for," Ferge said. "I feel like they're well-coached. They're where they're supposed to be. They do a good job defending the pass because they throw the ball a lot themselves."
Lakeland's Michael Ouimette did torch Mosinee for 297 yards and four touchdowns through the air last week. Wyatt Beyerl is Mosinee's leading tackler with 53 tackles on the season. Grant Lindell had 34 tackles including 3 1/2 sacks.
Safety valve
The Hodags hope to get their leading tackler, Peyton Erikson, back this week. Ferge said Erikson was on track to play this week after missing last week's contest due to injury. The Hodags shuffled several positions around, on both sides of the ball, due to his absence.
"He's one of our best players on defense, by far," he said. "We had other guys having to play safety for us this last week. I give them credit, they did all right, but it's not even close to the level that Peyton can play. We're looking forward to having him back. That will help our defense."
That's special
The Indians possess a weapon on special teams in sophomore Michal Dul who, last season, became the first freshman in Great Northern Conference history to earn first-team honors in football.
Dul has missed only one kick so far this season (16 of 17 XP, 2 of 2 FG), is averaging 34.5 yards per punt and even has a 56-yard punt return touchdown to his credit this season.
Mosinee's special teams also came up with a big play last week as Trzcinski returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown that broke a 14-14 tie in the second quarter and started a run of 17 unanswered points for the Indians.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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