October 28, 2020 at 11:43 a.m.
One step away
Hodags look to get past Hayward, set up GNC title showdown with Medford
One step away
GNC newcomer Hayward/Lac Courte Oreilles is the only team standing between the Hodags and a chance to take on the Raiders for the outright conference crown.
Rhinelander, which beat Stratford in a replacement game last Friday night, received credit for a forfeit win in conference play over Lakeland, which had to cancel due to a positive COVID-19 case on its team. The T-Birds also had to cancel this week against Medford, meaning the Raiders will get the automatic win to move to 6-0 in league play. Rhinelander can match Medford's 6-0 mark with a win at Hayward this evening.
"We have another opportunity to get toward our end goal, which is to play Medford and beat Medford," Kraemer said. "That's what we're focusing on. I told the kids simply this, 'You are one step away from being able to realize your dream, to being able to get yourself to do what you wanted to do. Don't take this opportunity and take a step back.'"
After spending the better part of 48 hours not knowing if or who it would play last week in the wake of Lakeland's cancellation, the Hodags got the best possible result, holding off a late rally to beat Stratford, which was ranked fifth in Division 5 by WisSports.net and ninth among medium-sized schools in the state AP poll.
Kraemer said there were plenty of valuable lessons to be learned from the circumstances leading up to and during Rhinelander's 29-27 victory over the Tigers.
"I'm just proud of this team, the way that they've continually grown week to week," he said. "No matter who's put into what situation, kids are stepping up to the plate, accepting the challenge and responding accordingly. I can't say enough, as their coach, about the way they've been able to adjust. The way that they've been able to play under adversity and the way they finished out games."
Here are five storylines entering tonight's game.
Avoiding the trap
After an emotional win over Stratford, and with the biggest game of the season looming against Medford, tonight's contest has all the classic ingredients of a trap game, should the Hodags overlook 1-4 Hayward.
Add to all of that a long road trip, potentially less than ideal weather and field conditions, and a proud Hayward squad that was in the WIAA playoffs last season after finishing 6-3 in the Heart O'North Conference, and overlooking the Hurricanes would be a very risky proposition.
"You're talking about things that we have not dealt with this season," Kraemer said. "It's important for us to understand that this team is not far away from where they were last year. Regardless of what the record says, they're playing against some competition here in the GNC, which is good competition, which could affect the record that they have, but they're still a very good team, well-coached and they are somebody that deserves our full attention this week."
Spread you out
Rhinelander will face a spread-style attack tonight similar to what they would have seen against Lakeland had the two teams played last week. The Hurricanes like to employ a number of three, and four-receiver sets and have already completed 66 passes on the season, the majority thrown by senior Derrick Miller, who has a 55.8 completion percentage and has thrown for 559 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions through five games. Miller is also Hayward's leading rusher, with 203 yards on the ground so far.
Senior halfback Cole Haack is Hayward's leading receiver with 29 catches, 259 yards and a touchdown on the season.
"I feel they're a lot like Lakeland, offensively. They want to get the ball to the perimeter. They run a little bit of pistol," Kraemer said. "They have a really, really good quarterback. They have a good slot receiver. They have some guys, up front that can move the pile and they come out fast. I think they're a lot like Lakeland in the way they line up. I think Hayward wants to get it to the perimeter a lot. They push the ball down field and they do a good job of that."
Cole Asp, who can line up at tailback or as a receiver, is Hayward's second leading player in both rushing and receiving yards.
What's more, Haack has three passing attempts this season and Miller has caught two passes. Kraemer said Hayward will likely be unafraid to reach into its bag of trick plays in an effort to catch the Hodags' off guard.
Monsters on defense
Prior to last week's 47-0 loss at Mosinee, Hayward was actually ranked fourth in the GNC in total defense, allowing 257 yards per game through its first four games.
A number of Hayward's key defenders start on both sides of the ball, including leading tacklers Gaitlin Gunn and DJ Woelber, who have 24 tackles each.
By name, Hayward runs a 3-4 defense, but the Hurricanes like to cheat their outside linebackers to the line of scrimmage, and bring down a safety in run support, which makes the defense more closely resemble the 5-2 front Rhinelander faced against Antigo.
"They have some faster, quick guys that might give us some problems," Kraemer said. "We've got to understand the way that we can defeat this team is the same way we've defeated other teams - run the ball vertically and do the best we can to get the ball into our athletes' hands in space and then throw the ball vertically as well - push the ball downfield and give our guys some opportunities to go get it and make big plays."
Frozen tundra?
Temperatures have moderated slightly from early in the week, but the Hodags are going into tonight's game expecting less than ideal conditions as Hayward's field, like many in the Northwoods, was covered in snow and ice both late last week and early this week.
Tonight's game will mark the second, and likely final time, Rhinelander plays on natural grass this season.
Kraemer said the Hodags may have to make some adjustments on offense, but that his team is ready to play on what could be an off surface.
"We're meant to run the football and maybe we can do some things running the football that other teams can't," he said. "A sloppy game is OK with us. Our offensive line is physical. They're a nasty group and sliding around in the mud is something, I think, they'd enjoy.
"Regardless of the field conditions, we're set up to play. We can run track meets with the best of them and we can play in the mud as well. We're excited to have the opportunity every single week."
Trainer's room
Kraemer noted that junior running back Cayden Neri (ankle) returned to practice Tuesday, but is not expected to play in tonight's game at Hayward. Neri rushed for 413 yards and six touchdowns before getting hurt in the opening quarter of a Week 4 win over Ashland. The hope remains for Neri to be able to return for next Friday's game against Medford.
Caleb Olcikas will continue to be the primary ball carrier for Rhinelander with Neri out. Over the last two games, Olcikas has rushed for 306 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Kraemer also noted junior Jacksen Smith (health concerns) returned to practice on Tuesday and should give Rhinelander additional depth at wide receiver and cornerback this week after missing the last two contests.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected]
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