Prep football: Cards take on Tech today

Take away four plays and the Willmar football team can feel proud of the way it played against the No. 3-ranked team in Class AAAAA last week.
The Cardinals (2-4) outgained the undefeated Spuds by almost 100 yards, limiting a team that averages 36 points per game to 200 total yards.
But two interception returns for touchdowns, a kickoff return for a score and a long pass play made the difference.
“We had a good game plan, offensively and defensively, and the kids executed that plan really well,” said Cardinals head coach Jon Konold, who leads his team against St. Cloud Tech at 7 p.m. today at Hodapp Field.
“Except for about four plays, we played solid,” he said. “That’s kind of what we expected out of our kids and it’s finally clicking for us.”
Eliminating those killer plays and continuing with the all-around solid play will be the goal as the team heads into its final two regular-season games and into the playoffs.
Now is the time for ownership, Konold said.
“This time of year, the last couple of games and the playoffs coming up, they have to be ready to go, dialed in and focused,” Konold said. “I told our guys (on Thursday) that you have to be self-motivated this time of year if they want to make a run. We can’t overlook anybody and we have to be ready every Friday night.”
Against 3-3 Tech, the Cardinals will have to contend, primarily, with quarterback Chris Backes, who has thrown for more than 1,000 yards and has seven touchdown passes. He’s also run for 387 yards and seven TDs.
Brevyn Spann-Ford is averaging 15.1 yards per catch, with 28 receptions for 422 yards and five touchdowns. James Kaczor has 30 catches for 325 yards. Devon Vouk is the Tigers top ground gainer, with 526 yards on 109 carries and seven scores.
“They have good skill kids,” Konold said. “Their quarterback (Backes) is really fast. He’s not a big kid but he moves well and he throws the ball really well.”
Willmar’s passing statistics are similar but the Cards need to curtail the interceptions, with 16 picks against 10 TDs this season.
The Cardinals also began platooning their running backs. Last week, Nate Ackerman rolled for 83 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. He was one of five Cards to run the ball.
“Sam (Kerfeld) and Nate (Ackerman) both play a lot on defense,” Konold said. “We like to start the game rotating them in the first half, see who has the hot hand. They’re all kind of the same but they all have differences. Ideally, I’d like to have one back, but on the other hand, it keeps them fresher.”
After averaging about 2.5 yards per carry through the first four games of the season, Willmar piled up 291 rushing yards in a win over St. Cloud Apollo and the Cards ran for 151 yards against Moorhead.
“If we get 160 yards out of our backs each week, we’d be sitting pretty,” Konold said.
In terms of health, the Cards are as good as can be expected this late in the season.
Max Trochlil is still out nursing an injury but could be ready next week. Lineman Brady Reigstad injured a knee against Moorhead and might be out longer than just tonight. Junior Mason Hall, who has gotten good playing time as the Cards’ third guard, will step up to start in Reigstad’s spot, Konold said.
With the rest of regular lineup ready to go, there won’t be any secret to how the Tech game transpires, Konold said.
“They’re a good team, a quality team,” he said. “They have one more win that us but we’re two evenly matched teams. It just matters who plays better (tonight).”