Panthers ready for Warriors

t’s unfamiliar territory for both programs.

Lena-Winslow (10-1) has never been beyond the third round in the football playoffs.

East Dubuque (10-1) has once, but the Warriors are only making their third voyage into the postseason in school history.

Today at 1 p.m. at East Dubuque, one program adds another story to their school’s history.

The matchup pits a pair of teams that know exactly what to expect from the other.

"They’re a pretty well-balanced team with a great group of skill kids," Lena-Winslow coach Ric Arand said of the Warriors. "They run it well, they throw it well, everything they do is pretty solid.

"On offense and defense at the line of scrimmage, they’re small like us, but quick like us too."

All season the Warriors have caused havoc in the NUIC-Upstate with their 3-5 defense.

While East Dubuque’s defense has led the Warriors all season, the Panthers won’t be facing a style they’re unfamiliar with.

"We’ve seen it probably four or five times, I’m guessing at least four, so it won’t be a surprise to us," Arand said. "They do play it a little bit different than some teams, but we’ve seen about everything you can throw at us."

The Warriors use their quick, aggressive defense to stop running games inside before teams can get to the perimeter or pick up big yardage.

"They run that 3-5, which we’ve faced a lot this year, West Carroll, E/PC and to a degree, Rockridge," Le-Win’s Fritz Werhane said. "But they have their linebackers so close, it’s like a 5-3.

"At this point in the season, we know what we want to do, we just have to read it at the line and talk to each other."

When the Panthers have the ball, it’s no mystery what they like to do as backs Trey Griffin and Zach Edmund are keys for Lena-Winslow, a team that prides itself on the ground game.

"We have to mix things up, this is no different than any other week," Arand said. "We’re used to seeing eight-nine guys in the box, and to us it’s a challenge.

"We have to be able to run effectively, but also be able to throw it when we have to."

Throwing the ball is exactly what the Warriors have done well all season, especially of late as quarterback Chance Oster (78-142 for 1172 yards) has shown he can make big plays with his arm.

"He’s very good, he has pinpoint accuracy," Arand said. "He throws as well as anyone we’ve seen this year and maybe even in a couple of years."

East Dubuque doesn’t just rely on the pass as running back Mike Hoppman (912 yards) leads the team on the ground.

"I’d say he’s a lot like (Tommy) Bowers from Dakota," Arand said. "Bowers is a little smaller, but they’re both punishing runners that are athletes and can get out and motor too."

For East Dubuque, the Warriors are wary of what the Panthers can do against the run.

Both teams have strong defenses that don’t give up many points, so field position, special teams and the smaller aspects of the game will be important.

"To us, special teams is one of three phases of the game, offense, defense and special teams that you have to be strong at to win," Arand said. "For us, we can’t have mistakes on special teams, if we do then we’re in trouble."