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Otters, Comets ready for road test
Published 10:29am Friday, October 26, 2012In the opening round of the playoffs, both the Fergus Falls Otters and the Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Comets were able to survive close games Tuesday evening.
The Otters came away with a home victory over East Grand Forks that saw three extra points put Fergus on top 21-18.
In round two, the Otters will travel to take on the Rocori Spartans in a battle that pits the Co-Central Lakes champions against each other.
“It would only be very satisfying for both coaches and players winning this game since both teams tied with Brainerd for the CLC championship,” Otters coach Richard Risbrudt said.
Rocori’s offensive attack is a typical spread attack, attempting to confuse defenders with a read option and looking to attack the secondary through the air.
The Otters will need to find a way to get running back Walker Heinen touches as a tough 3-4 defensive looks to shutdown the Fergus back.
The Spartans also have been known to be tricky in special teams, using onside kicks, spread field goal formations and sending the house in punt situations.
“Our goal is to play that section final in the Fargodome. We know we have a chance in this game. Our players need to believe it as well and play physical and smart on the field,” Risbrudt added.
Across town, the Comets were able to rebound earlier in the week as they upset three seeded Waubun 20-6.
“The win was a huge boost to morale,” Hillcrest coach Charlie Brue said. “I was proud of the way they played against Waubun.”
Hillcrest will have to prepare for a tough Ada-Borup team that would rather let the ball fly through the air, then pound it on the ground.
Brue looks at the Cougars speed as a possible mismatch for his Comets, but believes that the hard work they have put in and their tough regular season schedule will help them prepare for the game.
Without a home game for the rest of the season the Comets will need to be hardened to opposing crowds and unpleasant conditions.
“We are really working at just learning to keep our heads up in all situations. We’ve played in poor conditions in most of our games and I think we are starting to learn some patience and perseverance,” added Brue.
In other area action, the first seeded Perham Yellowjackets will host the Crookston in a 6 p.m. game in the Section 8AAA semi-finals, the Pelican Rapids Vikings will be on the road against Barnesville at 2 p.m., the Otter Tail Central Bulldogs will travel to take on Browerville at 6 p.m. and the Underwood Rockets will host Verndale at 1 p.m.
All games are scheduled for Saturday.
