It’s come down to this. The class 3A state championship between the Bishop Heelan Catholic Crusaders and the Washington Demons.
For the first time in school History, Washington is playing for a state title, while for Bishop Heelan this is old hat by now.
The Demons bring their top running offense into this one, while Bishop Heelan brings their top passing attack.
Washington had some struggles on offense against Solon, grabbing two touchdowns, but needing the whole game to do it. They do have the top rushing offense now with 4,078 yards and 58 touchdowns on the season, but the Crusaders will probably know to stop Alex Coker who has 1,467 yards and 25 touchdowns on the season, and Daryn Seibelius who has 774 yards and eight touchdowns. What Solon didn’t know is that Washington is four headed monster with Tanner Knupp who has 689 yards and 15 touchdowns and Carl Sivels who has 542 yards and seven touchdowns, and the Demons are comfortable with either one of the carrying the ball.
On defense the Demons have proven they can run with just about anyone, holding Solon to a field goal on each drive attempt, despite them being inside the 15 yard line, and they will be called on in a big way tonight. Especially, Tama Leutele, Garrett Covington and Thomas Bump, the three main pass rushers for the Demons, and the entire secondary.
Bishop Heelan will bring their quarterback who is second in 3A in yards and first in completion percentage. Trent Solsma is 197-286 for 3,133 yards, 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The running game is very effective as well, with 2,093 yards and 35 touchdowns as a team. The Crusaders defense is very quick, but they did have a closer game with Spencer, a team that is much like the Demons who run the ball, winning just 28-10.
For the supporting cast Conner Niles is the man to watch out for with 67 catches and 1,109 yards and 18 touchdowns at receiver, but there are two other receivers who can make things happen for Bishop Heelan.
Demon head football coach Randy Schrader said this game will be one of field position and keeping the game close.
“Well it is going to come down to up front, we think it is going to be a field position game, if we can play a field position game with them, they can drive and be very explosive, everyone knows that they can put a lot of points on the board, they can score from anywhere on the football field in a couple of ways, and we think we can be pretty explosive at some times too. But we’re going to try and play the field position game and try and control the football, have our opportunities in the red zone, put points on the board, and our whole goal is if we can keep it close and get into the fourth quarter with them, we feel we have a chance to be competitive,” Schrader said.
Tune into AM and FM KCII tonight at 6 P.M. for a special season recap up to the championship game, pregame will start at 6:30 and Kickoff will be at 7:06 P.M. and you can listen to all of it on AM and FM KCII, KCIIradio.com under radio plus and on our mobile app. Search KCII in the Android or Apple App store, download it, and you can be sitting in the stands listening to your favorite Demon football broadcast while watching it happen. The one to count on for today’s local sports coverage is AM and FM KCII and KCIIradio.com.