Falcons to take a run at Hounds Friday

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BY CHUCK VANDENBERG

PCC EDITOR

FORT MADISON - One would think facing a West Burlington opponent that was just drubbed 0-44 at home last week would give the Fort Madison Bloodhound football team a reason to take a breath.

But Head Coach Tony Shiffman said taking the Falcons for granted will hurt the team's goal of going 1-0 each week.

Mediapolis held the Falcons to just 57 yards of total offense in the shutout on Friday. And even that statistic doesn't give Shiffman reason to think this Friday's 7 p.m. tilt with West Burlington will be anything less than competitive.

"I think that score's more of a testament to Mediapolis than a negative against West Burlington," Shiffman said. "They're young but (Coach Jay Eilers) was prepared for that. Against that flexbone, we have to play assignment football and not make mistakes."

Shiffman said the Falcons' strength is their defense with some good size linemen and a really solid linebacking corp. But if you get in their secondary, they've got some sophomores. The Falcons feature senior Tanner Snodgrass at quarterback and senior running back Reese Richards. Drayton LaVeine, who's playing his first year of football as a sophomore, had 39 yards last week. Austin Mixer anchors the Falcon defense from a linebacker spot and had 14 total tackles last week.

"Snodgrass will be a player, the Mixer kid's tough, and Richards runs hard," Shiffman said.

The Falcons only threw two passes on Friday without a completion.

The Hounds on the other hand spread the ball to 11 different offensive players, including senior quarterback Lennon Barker, in the win over Central Lee.

Wideout Dom Frantz led the Hounds with 132 yards officially on five receptions. Shiffman said he was happy that Frantz saw the reward from the work he'd put in all summer.

"Coach (Derek) Doherty and I were joking with him Monday - he's one of those football players that when he puts the pads on he looks about 10 times more athletic than when he doesn't have his uniform on. He's worked hard and I'm glad he had the success he did last week," Shiffman said.

Barker officially threw for 304 yards on 21 of 35 passing with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Barker did score twice off tackle on 2-yard dives. After the game, Barker said he needed to work on his timing as several receivers had throws go just over their fingertips.

Shiffman said the coaches saw that on film and it's a matter of adjusting to live play.

"It's one of those things where you're going on air on Tuesday and Thursday, but it's tough to get your timing down when there's someone in your face. But we did some work on that."

Kaeli Maestro and Diego Lozano are sharing time carrying the football, with Maestro getting the starting nod last week. Shiffman said he's fine with the duo sharing the load as it keeps Lozano, who also starts at linebacker, a bit fresher.

"With Diego going both ways, it's a lot better to bring him in off the bench as the second hitter than trying to wear him down."

Lozano, who averaged just over eight yards per carry, scored on a 10-yard touchdown in the third period after having to bounce outside to the right, made contact, and then spun out of a tackle and headed to the endzone. Maestro ended with 42 yards on nine carries.

"He had a couple really good runs and broke a 20-yarder," Shiffman said of Lozano. "He could take that spot back by the end of the year, but it's great to have options. Last year we just fed Alex Gully the ball."

The Hounds had 12 different players make solo tackles against the Hawks and had 40 assists. Shiffman said that reflects the Hounds swarming to the ball on each play. He said the team rarely goes with live hitting in practice.

"It's just those guys getting to the football. It's an effort thing and when the lights are a little brighter, they're gonna get to the ball a little better. I look at a lot of successful teams that don't ever hit in practice. It's something when you get to 2A and 3A football in Iowa and you only got 50 kids in the programs and 30 dressing, you just can't beat the snot out of these kids."

He said players like Sam Hayes and Danen Settles never leave the field unless it a kickoff.

"They know how to play and they know how to play tired. But we've got good depth to be able to give breathers. For the most part I think we did that, we saw some holds when the kids got tired, but I thought they performed well."

Junior Quentin Schneider led the Hounds in tackles with five solo, four assists, and a sack.

"Last year as a sophomore he just wasn't quite ready," Shiffman said. "But he was a stud Friday. And that's another good thing. You gotta kid like Quentin Schneider, and we have enough talent and depth at the wide receiver spot that we don't have to start him there anymore. He can come in and give a break, but we've got enough guys that he doesn't need to play both ways. And we need him on defense way more than we need him on offense."

The Hounds' Harley Pennamon goes to break up a pass play Friday night. Pennamon had 5.5 tackles and a pick in the Hounds win last week. Photo by Chuck Vandenberg/PCC

Shiffman said the only casualty other than cramps may be senior Harley Pennamon who tweaked his knee and may not go this week.

"Again, we're trying to go 1-0 for the week. If we execute the way we should've on Friday it can be a W for us, but I'm not going to say it will be an easy win by any stretch because they'll be well-coached and ready."

 

 

 

 

 

 

bloodhounds, Falcons, fmhs, football, fort madison, Pen City Current, preview, varsity, West Burlington

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