The Daily News

When the Wahpeton Huskies football team faces Devils Lake Saturday at the Fargodome, one team will be assured a return trip to Fargo the following week to play for the state AA championship and the other team's season will come to an end.

The Huskies come into the state semi-final game with a 10-0 record and the No. 1 ranking in the final North Dakota class AA football poll.

The Devils Lake Firebirds are 9-1 on the season and ranked No. 3 in the same poll.

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"This game is going to be a challenge," Huskies head coach Mike McCall said. "I don't think their starters have given up a touchdown in about four games."

The Firebirds have shut out five of their opponents this year, including Minot Bishop Ryan, Carrington and Central Cass in their last three games.

Devils Lake also shut out Bottineau and Beulah earlier in the season.

The only loss on the Firebirds' record this year was on Sept. 25 at the hands of Dickinson Trinity, 21-20.

Dickinson Trinity is ranked No. 2 in the state and is playing in the other AA semi-final against Fargo-Shanley.

The Huskies and the Firebirds have had two common opponents this year, Bismarck St.Mary's and Central Cass.

Wahpeton and Devils Lake each beat the Squirrels and Saints when they faced them.

"I don't really see a thread in having common opponents," coach McCall said. "Each game is a game of individual match ups and what time of the year you play them. I like to think we've gotten a lot better than when we played Central Cass."

For the Huskies, coach McCall said they will try to do what they've been doing all year.

"For us it's going to come down to controlling the line of scrimmage," McCall said. "We will need to play good, fundamental football and take care of our responsibilities both offensively and defensively."

The Firebirds' biggest threats to the Huskies defense are running back Ben Wolfe and quarterback Beau Erickson.

In Devils Lake's quarterfinal win against Central Cass’ Wolfe rushed for 143 yards on 27 carries and scored one touchdown.

In that same game Erickson completed 6 of his 12 passes for 53 yards and threw one touchdown, to Wolfe.

Due to field conditions in the Twin Towns, the game was moved to the Fargodome.

Coach McCall does not see the indoor venue as being an advantage to either team.

"I don't really look at it as anything," McCall said. "The team that comes out and controls the lies will be the team that comes out on top. I think we've had good practices this week and hope the team feels as prepared as they can e for Saturday."

Fargo-South and Bismarck Century will play a state AAA semi-final game at the Fargodome earlier Saturday, with the Wahpeton game against Devils Lake scheduled to start at 5 p.m.

Comments

Phil wrote on Nov 8, 2009 8:02 AM:

" Congratulations on a terrific season. I enjoyed watching every game. "




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