Willmar Cardinals (2-0) at Sauk Rapids Storm (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
What's at stake?
Both teams want to win this game as the road only gets steeper. Under coach Ken Heitzman, the Cardinals have twice won their first three games, in 2000 and 2005. Willmar is 2-0, Sauk Rapids 1-1. After two weeks on the road, Willmar is back home next Friday to play Alexandria, which is also 2-0.
Last week:
Willmar turned three Flyer fumbles into touchdowns in the first quarter on the way to a 35-8 win. The defense allowed 105 yards rushing and 67 passing with three interceptions ... Sauk Rapids stopped Apollo's two-point conversion attempt (a run) with no time left in the fourth quarter to hold on to a 13-12 win.
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What Willmar coach Ken Heitzman said:
"The defense had another good game, especially the second half. The (Flyers) had eight turnovers and the defense caused three of their five fumbles. The offense didn't execute in the first half but started clicking in the second half; we rushed for about 100 yards after only 36 the first half. Sauk Rapids will be tough and physical. The competition just gets stiffer and the expectations get higher with each win. We want to meet those expectations by raising our level of play."
The Storm file:
Former assistant coach here under Deryl Ramey, Bill Magnuson starts his 7th season as head coach at the high school on the east side of the Mississippi in the St. Cloud metro. Tony Bemboom is back at quarterback; he became the starter last year in the fourth game when Zach Rudolph broke his arm, one week after engineering the upset at Hodapp Field. Bemboom threw for 562 yards in a half season as a junior but may go to the run more this year. The Strom can unleash any of four backs behind a new line: Tyler Spiczka and Evan Warnert, both got carries last year while 6-2, 200-pound Eric Johnson and Matt Elliot are added threats this campaign.
Notes and views:
Rocori, Willmar's opponent in Week 7, is 0-2. The Spartans' schedule is front loaded with heavyweights, three AAAAA in a row: Moorhead (18-27 loss), Alexandria (20-21) and this Friday it's Brainerd. Sartell lost all-conference running back/linebacker and senior captain Luke Sweeter in the opener. Sweeter, who had 1,144 yards rushing and 426 receiving for 23 touchdowns in 2006 fractured his hip on a non-contact plant against Little Falls. His absence probably had a lot to with the Sabres losing by 17 to Tech last week.
The bottom line:
Willmar will be looking for some consistency moving the ball. Four running backs rushed for at least 25 yards led by fullback Isaiah Streed with 39 yards in eight carries. Senior quarterback Michael Dunham threw for 66 yards on 6 of 15 after throwing for 230 yards in the first half of the opening win.
