Final Thoughts on Glenwood @ Storm Lake

Kevin Tucker's picture

Ram Football is one day from playing in their fifth playoff appearance in school history and I couldn't be more excited for the drive to Storm Lake. This game is what all the athletes have been working for since last year's loss at Carroll. I have been impressed with the amount of off season work and dedication this football team has done. The program is in better hands when the athletes take time in the off season to work on their game and it has paid off. Glenwood is ranked tenth in the state on the latest AP Poll.

The Rams have turned up 3,502 total yards on offense this season and look to turn up some more tomorrow night. The well balanced attack Glenwood has on offense is one not too many teams will like to see. The offensive line is what makes the train roll for the Rams. Behind their tough and smart offensive line the Rams have gained 2,201 rushing yards this year. This statistic is very impressive with only playing nine games. If the Rams can continue rushing the ball at will it will help open the passing game tomorrow for Senior Quarterback Kolten Wilwerding.  Wilwerding has been great this year running QB for Coach Faust and company. Kolten is a smart player who is a good decision maker in Glenwood's read option offense. While Wilwerding has thrown a few interceptions this season he doesn't seem to let it bother him. This is a good thing especially at the high school level. In order for the Rams to go far in the playoffs they will need Wilwerding to play big and take some deep chances down the field to Mavrick Decker, Andrew Blum, and company. Cole Loeffelbein is the workhorse for this Ram Offense. Loeffelbein has rushed for 889 yards on 158 rushing attempts this season. While Loeffelbein has the strength to run between the tackles all night long he still has shown he has the speed to break long runs. Cole has broke many plays for over twenty yards and once scored on a 57 yard sprint this season. The Rams will look for Cole to handle the football a lot on Friday night. Loeffelbein has fumbled a couple of times this season but look for the Senior to keep a tight handle on the ball tomorrow night. Senior Nate Nebel has played his best games as of late on the offensive side of the ball. Nebel has rushed for 314 yards and three touchdowns this season. Nate is great in space once he gets around the corner and could be an x-factor tomorrow. Finally, I will look for Jake Clark and Andrew Blum to both make multiple plays against the Tornadoes in order for a Ram victory tomorrow night.

Glenwood's defense is something I probably don't give enough credit to but they deserve every bit of it. The Rams have only given up 132 points this season which is only about 14 points per game. A big reason Glenwood's offense is consistently good is because this defense makes stops and puts the opposing defense on the field for the majority of the game. Glenwood's defense is ran through linebacker Jon Stavas who leads the team in tackles with 47.  Stavas has recorded one solo sack, three fumble recoveries, and intercepted a pass this season. The man who holds down the defensive line is Junior Caleb Sanders. Sanders who was a First Team All-State member a year ago is playing like he wants to be back on that list. Caleb has recorded 45 tackles on the defensive line and five solo sacks this year. Another linebacker to watch tomorrow night is Senior Jake Clark. Clark is a tough and strong linebacker for this Ram squad. Clark is third on the team with tackles and has great side to side movement while stopping the opposing team's running attacks. I believe the Rams will have no trouble stopping the running game of the Tornadoes but will need to stop the passing attack in order to beat Storm Lake. I think the secondary of Glenwood will step up big and make some huge plays tomorrow that will help the Rams.

Finally let's move to special teams. Mavrick Decker is far from a secret weapon for the Rams as many teams know how big of a threat he is in the returning game. Decker has 297 punt return yards on the season with one going for a 83 yard touchdown. Decker along with Jake Murtfeld are also dangerous on kickoff returns. Both Decker and Murtfeld have big play ability and could take one to the house on any return. Senior Seth Little has had a great Senior year for the Rams. Little has made 2/3 field goals this year with a season long 42 yarder. Seth has scored 37 points for the Rams in PATs alone this year going 37/44.

 

The game tomorrow night will be a tough test on the road. It's the playoffs, the teams don't get in if they aren't good. As long as the Rams win the turnover battle I think they will be fine. The way Glenwood has been able to score this season gives me all the confidence in the world that they can take down the undefeated Tornadoes of Storm Lake. The win won't come easy but I'm taking the Rams on the road 27-24.

 

I hope to see a lot of RAM FANS in the stands tomorrow. If you can't attend the game I will be broadcasting audio only (a state rule) tomorrow night on here!

 

Good luck Rams! Play together throughout the night and everything will play itself out.

 

LEAVE YOUR LEGACY

 

GO RAMS!

 

 

 

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