Top-ranked Exira-EHK looks to defeat another District 7 mate in state semifinal
By Drew Herron - NT Sports Editor / Nov. 7, 2013
EXIRA – Top-ranked Exira-EHK endured what was most likely its toughest storm yet Monday night against Coon Rapids-Bayard.
Penalties hurt, key figure Trey Sander was on the sidelines without a helmet or shoulder pads, and victory wasn’t secured until late in the fourth quarter.
Afterwards Spartans head coach Tom Petersen stressed that a piece of work similar to the 44-20 win over CRB would not suffice in the next round against Glidden-Ralston.
“Glidden-Ralston is going to come hungry, and why not?” he said. “We are going to have to play a lot better for us to have a chance Friday night.”
The cold may have affected the Spartans’ focus at times Monday, as the thermometer could have dipped by as much as 20 degrees from kickoff to final whistle. Though coach Petersen said strongly that he didn’t think that was an excuse or something to point to.
“When you’re out there playing it’s not cold,” he said. “It was just undisciplined.”
Now, Exira-EHK will try to beat another team twice this season. Glidden-Ralston comes in at 10-1, and has had a fine campaign in 2013.
Six of the Wildcats’10 wins have come against teams that made the playoffs, and G-R’s only blemish this year has been at the hands of Exira-EHK. When the two teams met earlier this season in Week 5 on Sept. 27, the Spartans rolled to a 47-7 victory. Drew Peppers finished with 238 yards rushing, and Trey Sander added another 130 as the two combined for five TDs on the ground.
Friday night, the Spartans defense will prep for a run-oriented team, led by senior Jake Bruggeman’s 1,152 yards and 14 TDs.
Exira-EHK’s ground game is still led by junior QB Drew Peppers, who has 1,779 yards and 34 TDs rushing, though Sander has been an important piece when utilized (10.9 YPC for 792 yards and 12 TDs), and senior Nick Peppers continues to get more carries (259 yards on 21 attempts for a team-best 12.3 yards per touch) in the ever-evolving Spartans offense.
The prize the Spartans and Glidden-Ralston are fighting for Friday night is a trip to the state semifinal round to be held at the UNI-Dome next Thursday (Nov.14). Exira-EHK reached that level last November, taking a 12-0 record to Cedar Falls before falling to eventual champions Marcus-Meridan-Cleghorn.
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