Bulldogs prepare for the unknown entering second round game

For the seniors of the Peetz Bulldogs football team they've already been to a place they've never been. Tomorrow at #3 Eads (8-1) the #6 Bulldogs hope to find themselves in another Land of Oz.

The last time Peetz participated in a playoff game prior to last week at Arickaree, the Bulldogs seniors were in eighth grade. The 2009 Peetz team lost a wild one at Otis 76-67 in round one to finish at 5-3. Since then Peetz has not had a winning season. Last year, however, the signs for future success were apparent, when the Bulldogs went 4-4.

Already this season Peetz has reached 6-3, with a playoff win to its credit. The 'Dogs edged out the Arickaree Indians 34-33 with the help of an second-quarter offensive explosion and a stingy second-half defense.

Sophomore Jordan Nelson gained 160 yards on the ground at Arickaree - mostly on runs right up the gut. Nelson was aided by what Bulldogs Head Coach Scott Sorensen called, "one of the best blocking efforts his team has put forth all season." Those running interference included center Corbin Heller, Darrin Cox, Cody Wilson and the Roelle twins, Garrett and Brian.

Like Peetz, Eads is a young team. The Indians are led by junior quarterback Tyler Rouse who had a better than 60-percent completion rate. He was 12-19 for 194 yards and three touchdowns.

"Last week they spread it out and threw it all over the place. That surprised me a little bit," Sorensen said. "Against Fleming last year they tightened it up and ran right at them."

Unfortunately for the Bulldogs coaching staff, they have only one Eads opponent they can study. Coaches are required the share the previous two game films. The Indians played the same opponent two weeks in a row. In the final regular-season game Eads toppled Primero 64-6. In the opening round of the playoffs last Saturday, the Indians blew out Primero again 62-26.

"I would have liked to see how another team handled them," Sorensen said.

Though Rouse has shown an ability to throw the ball, the Inidans generally rely on the ground game. Over their past five contests they have rushed for over 300 yards three times. Against Primero the past two weeks Eads has enjoyed more success through the air.

Sophomore Dylan Dylan Dixon has been the Indians go-to back with nearly 700 yards gained in five weeks. Two of those games he's gone over 200 yards.

With more limited opportunities, senior Blaine Winder has also picked up yards in chunks.He has 317 yards on 28 carries the last five games.

"I'm expecting them to start tight and and run right at us," Sorensen said. "I'm hoping they can't run the ball on us and then they'll go to the spread.

"It's hard to tell from film, but I think we have a quickness advantage on them and that will help us defend the spread," Sorensen concluded.Among the receivers Rouse often looks to are freshman Caden Parker, Winder and Dixon.

The quckness advantage Sorensen speaks of begins with quarterback Bradey Holtz. Though quarterbacks are not able to run after receiving a direct snap in six-man football, Sorensen has designed plenty of plays to get him the ball.

Holtz is also a good thrower. He has completed 32 of 56 passes for 418 yards with 11 touchdowns and just one interception.

Holtz has also run for 605 yards on 64 carries. The Bulldogs leading rushers this season have been Vach and Nelson. Vach's run for 899 yards on 104 carries while Nelson has picked up 877 on 135 carries.When Holtz looks to throw, Wilson and Heller have been favorite targets. Both have more than 100 yards receiving.

Cox, Nelson and Vach have also been productive ball catchers. Though he is usually at the other end of the connection, Holtz has even caught a pair of passes this season for 68 yards and a touchdown.

"We'll give them a heavy dose of Jordan Nelson, like we did at Arickaree," Sorensen said. "After they've watched the running game they're going to have to get more guys on the line. Then we'll still have that speed threat in Bradey. He helps us too by making good decisions. He's our home-run threat."

As for how his team feels, Sorensen said his team has learned a lot from the experience of a playoff contest already under its belt.

"Last week was an eye opener," Sorensen said. "They'll be tight and nervous to start but they've learned they they can play with anybody."