September 28, 2018 at 1:10 p.m.
Pigskin Preview: Rhinelander at Merrill
Hodags to play first Saturday game since 2010 today at Merrill
Pigskin Preview: Rhinelander at Merrill
The Hodags are Merrill's guest for homecoming this afternoon at Jay Stadium, marking the first time in eight years the Hodags have played on a Saturday.
The trick this week, according to Hodag coach Chris Ferge, has been to try to keep things as normal as possible at practice.
"We've always tried to make sure we're routined all the way through the week and the kids really respond to that," Ferge said.
Aside from an extra day to prepare, the routine has pretty much remained the same for Rhinelander. The biggest change came Monday when the team watched film before taking the rest of the afternoon off. Ferge said Tuesday was a lighter practice before full practices Wednesday and Thursday and another walkthrough yesterday.
Even this morning had been about sticking to the routine as much as possible for a game that will kick off 5 1/2 hours
earlier than normal.
"It's really important getting up and having breakfast," Ferge said. "We're going to do that as a team, make sure they're up earlier and have a good breakfast and make sure they rest on the way to the game. Then they've got to come out and have got to play because Merrill's going to be very, very excited for its homecoming game."
Some other storylines to watch heading into today's contest:
Elimination game
Both teams enter today's game 1-5 overall. More importantly, both are 0-3 in the Great Northern Conference, meaning they have to win out over the final three weeks of the regular season to become playoff eligible.
Ferge didn't entertain the playoff talk when asked about it this week and instead took the Jim Mora Sr. approach of focusing on just trying to win a game.
"I really haven't felt we've played anyone this year that we couldn't beat and we've been competitive at times. We're trying to develop that instinct in our kids," Ferge said. "I expect them to get over the top this week. I really do. It's going to be tough because Merrill's at home, it's their homecoming and they really do put on a good show, a good job with their homecoming, but I believe our guys are going to respond, and be excited. I know we're prepared. We've looked good so far in practice this week and we're ready to go."
Merrill's options
Expect the run, and plenty of it, from the Bluejays this afternoon. Merrill comes in having passed the ball only 21 times this season, compared to 285 rushing attempts.
The 1-2 combination of fullback Dominic Leistikow and quarterback Quinn Steckbauer spearhead Merrill's rushing attack. Leistikow has rushed for 625 yards and five touchdowns so far this season, while Steckbauer has 435 yards and three scores.
"Their dive drives the whole thing," Ferge said of Merrill's triple option offense. "Their fullback's a pretty talented guy and they have a big line. They're happy with three yards. They're happy with four yards. They're going to come back and do it again."
While the fullback dive and the quarterback sweep are Merrill's primary choices, halfbacks Hunter Hintze and Holden Smith are averaging almost 7.3 yards per carry when they get it on the pitch. Smith is also Merrill's top receiver, with three catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns.
Pound the rock
Even though Merrill allowed 340 yards passing and five touchdowns to Lakeland backup quarterback Austin Wanty in last week's 30-18 loss to the Thunderbirds, don't expect that to sway Rhinelander's game plan of running the football.
Drake Martin comes in off a 282-yard and two-touchdown performance in last week's loss to Mosinee - the fifth-best individual rushing total statewide in Week 6 - and it expected to see a heavy workload again this afternoon.
"We want to run the ball. We have to run the ball," Ferge said. "I think they know that. I think they know who our best player is. I think they're going to try to stop that. I think they know we will try to pass as well."
Don't beat yourself
The Hodags had their best statistical night of the season, in terms of moving the football, in last week's loss to Mosinee, but were hampered by four turnovers. Also, Mosinee hit on long touchdown runs of 64, 70 and 29 yards in the contest.
Ferge said the mental game has been a key at practice this week.
"We've been working with our guys really hard to make sure they're playing sound football," he said. "I would say I'd take any kid who was better between the ears than a kid that was physically really good but didn't believe in himself or understand what we have to do as a team. Belief in yourself, an understanding to be coachable and make sure that happens, I'd take that with every kid that I have over ability any day of the week."
Turf war
Saturday's game marks the first time Rhinelander has played a Great Northern Conference game on artificial turf. It's also the team's first turf game since 2011.
Aside from being a novelty, Ferge said the surface should not have much impact on today's game.
"I think the kids will be excited to play on it, but you figure out your footing early on in any game, whatever the weather is," he said. "The footing situation, we'll see how that works. I think we'll be just fine. Our kids are ready for that and I see no issues with it."
It will not be long until the Hodags are back on the synthetic surface, as they play at River Valley Bank Field in Lakeland to close out the regular season Oct. 12.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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