Wolves ready for a long playoff run
If the playoffs prove to be as successful as the regular season for Prairie Ridge, the Wolves could find themselves playing deep into November.
A senior-dominated powerhouse, Prairie Ridge ran the table for its first undefeated regular season. The Wolves enter the Class 6A playoffs ranked fifth in the state by the Associated Press behind Normal (9-0), Joliet Catholic (8-1), Richards (9-0) and Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin (8-1).
The IHSA gave the Wolves even more respect, naming them the No. 2 seed in the upper bracket of Class 6A, where they will face Marmion (5-4) tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Crystal Lake.
Consider the Wolves equal opportunity destroyers: they average 40.3 points per game while holding opponents to 13.2.
Senior running back Sam Campbell is the focal point of a strong rushing attack led by a senior-laden offensive line. Campbell has rushed for 1,122 yards and 16 touchdowns on 122 carries (9.2 yard average).
He's also a double threat. Campbell has made 18 catches for 352 yards and 4 touchdowns, all thrown by junior quarterback Bryan Bradshaw (52 of 91, 795 yards, 8 TDs).
Like most option offenses at this time of year, Prairie Ridge changes little, if anything, based on what the opponent does. The Wolves simply hone what they do best.
"We're not changing anything," said Chris Schremp, who has guided Prairie Ridge to the playoffs in four of his six years as head coach. "Our philosophy is that we have to go out and execute. We might tweak some things here and there blocking scheme-wise, but we don't need to change much regardless of who we're playing.
"Our kids practice the same stuff everyday, so they don't get frustrated trying to learn new things every week. You can see them getting better. They notice how much faster they are in the offense now when they look at film from earlier in the season."
Stopping that offense is a tall task for the Cadets, who have been outscored 214-172 and are making their first playoff appearance since 1998.
"We must keep their offense off the field or at least stay away from the big play," Marmion coach Dan Thorpe said. "They are well coached, know their assignments, and look impressive. Excellent kicking game and return game, so we have to play our best, which is what you expect in the playoffs.
"We just need to go 1-0 this week. We have played in a great conference and feel we are battle tested."
Marmion quarterback Ricky Bird has thrown for 1,149 yards and 7 touchdowns, but he has been intercepted 14 times. His main target is two-way player Sean Fichtel, who has 23 catches for 496 yards and 1 touchdown.
Running back Bobby Winkel put the Cadets into the playoffs with 2 touchdowns last week in a comeback victory over St. Edward. He has rushed for 494 yards and 4 touchdowns this season.
"Their quarterback can make some plays both running and throwing the ball,' Schremp noted. "And if there's any type of offense we've struggled against this year it was that spread offense, which they can use. So, I'm sure we'll see them use the spread."