DONNELLSON - Central Lee Head Coach Chuck Banks says this week's Hawks' playoff game at 11th-ranked Monticello is business as usual.
"It's a 2 hour-36 minute school bus ride. We're going to keep it normal," he said.
Central Lee travels to Monticello Friday for the first post-season game in Banks' three years as head coach.
"We're 2-2 on the road and going back to the philosophy that hard work is what pays off. The boys are excited, but they're definitely creatures of habit and we've been in this spot before."
He's not wrong.
The Hawks have traveled to 13th-ranked Centerville and perennial powerhouse Mid-Prairie, and hosted top-ranked Williamsburg. They're familiar with steep hills to climb.
It's not lost on Banks that those three teams outscored the Hawks 160-14.
It's also not lost on Banks that the majority of the Panthers' offense comes from junior Preston Ries, an Iowa Hawkeye commit.
"He's a special ball player. He has about 2,000 yards through the air and another 1,400 on the ground. We're going to have to key on him. We've molded our scheme this week on containing him and also keep (Tate) Peterson in check," Banks said.
Peterson is a senior wideout with over 1,000 yards in receptions and nine scores.
The Hawks will have senior Corbin Pohren back from a suspension following an incident in the Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont game. Pohren is second on the team in tackles with 46.5 behind Hunter Gregory.
Getting Corbin Pohren back after the E-B-F game. Is huge. That will help us set the edge again," Banks said.
The Hawks have played relatively inexperienced this year, but Banks said it was the last two years in a very tough 2A district that has prepared his squad for Friday's game.
"At the end of the day when we watch where we've come from like five months ago and see these guys buy into a system and thrive with it, that says something," Banks said.
"This is a team that I look back a year ago and some of these guys were inexperienced - our teams would get down and stay down. This team kind of thrives on that."
The Hawks will rely on the creative chaos that can happen when two quarterback slip under center. Cory Jones and Kayden Calfee can both take snaps and Jones can take off with the ball or step outside to run routes.
Chase Johnson will lead the ground game with 620 yards on the year. Jones has 269 and Gregory has 189 on the year.
Banks said the Hawks are resilient from the rough and tumble district action and this gives them a certain crust for good football teams.
"They've been knocked down and they got back up. Resilience. It's been our message all year," Banks said.
"My message has been 'Look in the mirror and be a better man and a better football player than the day before' and that's stuck with them.
"I'd like to say we play in arguably the toughest district in the state. Our guys have been in games with good squads. You look at the guy in front of you and win each play. If you lose one play you get back up and dust off and get back at it."
Banks said he hopes this year's success is a turning point in the program, regardless of what happens Friday.
"I'm definitely hoping that this gets kids in the weight room. If you look at (Landan) Lowenburg, Jones, Gregory, Johnson. It will determine a lot for us in the future. Getting that first win this year and a couple on the road is pointing us in the right direction," he said.
"The kids are hungry and being able to come out and play in a quality district and make the playoffs in year 3 is huge for us."
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