District seedings on the line in Dearborn
DEARBORN, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Sports Zone's game of the week for week eight of the high school football season is a big one. Two teams fighting for good seeding in their districts, with the 5-2 North Platte Panthers hosting the 5-2 Lawson Cardinals.
The Panthers currently hold the first seed in Class One District Six over the Gallatin Bulldogs by two points. While the Bulldogs and Panthers have the same record at 5-2, the district seeding is based on a calculation of points.
Panthers' Head Coach Jared Quigley said with two games left before the playoffs, the team is just focusing on the task at hand.
"How you're doing in those first nine weeks of the season can determine how that playoff run goes for you," Quigley said. "We've tried to reiterate to our kids that we take it one week at a time and we're focused on the task at hand."
The Cardinals currently hold the fourth seed in Class Two District Eight behind the undefeated Mid-Buchanan Dragons, the 3-4 Cameron Dragons, and the 6-1 South Harrison Bulldogs. If the Cardinals want to catapult themselves into the top three seeds and potentially host a playoff game, they will have to go through the Panthers to win out.
The Panthers and Cardinals have a very similar resume, same overall record and same home and away record (3-0 at home and 2-2 away). They average the same amount of points per game on offense at 39 and average the same amount of points allowed per game at 26. So this matchup is very even.
While these teams are similar, the Lawson Cardinals have dominated this matchup over the past 15 meetings, winning 14 of the 15 matchups.
Coach Quigley said the team needs to be focused on executing its game plan against Lawson.
"I know that this team is big and physical; they're bigger and stronger and faster than what they've been in previous seasons," Quigley said. "This week, we really tried to focus on physicality and execution. Last week we didn't have the cleanest execution, so those are the two biggest things we focused on this week."
The Panthers will rely on their senior quarterback, Dylan Armstrong, to help break through the Cardinals' defense. Armstrong was a running back for the Panthers until the end of last season before fully transitioning to quarterback in his senior year.
Since the change, Armstrong has led the team to a 5-2 record while ranking within the top 20 in multiple statistical categories in the state of Missouri.
Armstrong said the team needs to finish strong with two tough opponents on the schedule.
"Lawson has a really good squad over there, and we just got to come out here and believe in each other and execute what we need to on offense and get the job done," Armstrong said. "These next two weeks are going to be tough, especially with the number one seed in the district being on the line."
The Lawson Cardinals senior running back Grayson Smith has been lights out this year, ranking top ten in the state for rushing yards and ranking third in the state in total touchdowns.
Opposing defenses have had a real struggle trying to stop the physical running back, but Quigley said the defensive line is prepared for Smith.
"One of our biggest strengths of our defense is the defensive line, and I'm a firm believer that the game is won or lost right there with the offensive and defensive line," Quigley said. "Cam Wortham and Chase Harper, Aspen Large, all those guys in the middle will help shut that down."
Both teams are fighting to secure a top-three seed in their respective districts, so both teams will come out firing on all cylinders.
Be sure to tune in to News-Press NOW's Sports Zone at 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, for the highlights from this game.
