Eight-Man Football Playoff Semifinals Preview

Thursday, 12:06 p.m. at the UNI Dome, Cedar Falls

The Knights (12-0), making their third state semifinals appearance in five years and first since winning the 2011 state title, went relatively unchallenged in winning their first three playoff games by an average of 41.6 points per game in home blowouts. The Eagles (10-2) who have had a tougher route to Cedar Falls beat two ranked teams on the road only to face the top ranked Knights in the semifinals.

Offense
Fremont-Mills’ running back by committee approach with four backs rushing for more than 350 yards and six touchdowns has helped the Knights average 346 yards and 52.3 points per game this season. Leading rusher Spencer Phillips (1,292 yards, 27 TDs) is a 6-foot-2, 246 pound bruiser while speedy senior Mackenzy Lang (484, nine TDs) and sophomores Parker Powers (572, six TDs) and Sam Phillips (356, six TDs) add up to a potent backfield. Quarterback Jason Rusten has thrown for 948 yards and 18 TDs. The Eagles counter with 6-foot-4 signall-caller Jacob Spieler. The junior has thrown for 1,133 yards and 22 TDs and rushed for another 699 yards and 10 scores. Joining Spieler on an offense averaging 330 yards and 39 points per game is tailbacks Derek Erdman (1,0450 yards, 14 TDs) and Conner Holmes (816, 12 TDs).

Defense
One touchdown. That’s the extent of the success opposing offenses have had against the Knights’ top defensive unit in its last six games. The quick, aggressive Knight defenders are equally adept at stopping the run and the pass and have forced 34 turnovers, including 25 interceptions, this season. Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn surrendered eight, 33 and 19 points and an average of 367.6 yards per game in its three previous playoff matchups. The Eagles have forced 17 turnovers on the season.

Coach’s Comment
“I see a team that looks a lot like us,” said Fremont-Mills coach Jeremy Christiansen of Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn. “They’re good, sound, fast defense.They contain the football very well. From the offensive standpoint they’re as balanced as we are and they have two weapons in the backfield in the running backs and their quarterback is a multi-threat guy. Their receivers do a good job getting open and their offensive line gives them time to throw the ball. I’m kind of looking at it as a mirror image of us.”