Scotties Blast Poplar In Third Straight Win

The Red and White returned from Poplar in high spirits. A 63-22 victory over the host Indians marked the team's third straight conference triumph and sets up a winner-take-all showdown with Malta for the District 2B division title.

The Scotties ran up the score early via a potent offensive attack. After the first quarter, the team led 28-0. At half, the score was 42-7.

"We anticipated we'd have success with our run game," said Head Coach Greg Liebelt, "so instead of taking what they were giving us in that regard, we used it as an opportunity to further work on our passing game."

Poplar entered the contest at 1-5, fresh off a 40-point loss to Baker. The threat of overlooking an apparently-weaker opponent and limping home with a pair of broken ankles and a bruised ego was rendered a toothless chimera by Liebelt's insatiable ground-pound-touchdown approach and a dash of aerial spice. 

"We still don't have complete success throwing the ball," said Liebelt, "and we'd like to establish that more in our offense. But we establish most of our success running. Going into Malta, the run game will be our strength. We pass as needed."

Benji Phillips again torched the opposing defense; he accounted for four touchdowns. Quarterback Trent Herbert and freshman RB John McColly each rumbled for a score as well. "With Trent in," said Liebelt, "he's agile and mobile, so we usually have a nice time running it and don't need to rely on the pass as much."

Because the Scotties tipped the balance so early in the game, Liebelt and his staff were able to throw younger, less-experienced players into the fray. "A lot of guys got playing time," he said. "They got some good reps in. Some guys could've done better in certain areas, like tackling, but overall we made solid progress."

The Scottie special teams, too, capitalized on Poplar's perpetual disarray,wreaking havoc-at-large on the wild, windy plains. This dominating narrative was capped by junior Kasey Seyfert's 80-yard punt return touchdown. Though the team was without starters Lane Nickels and Luke Breigenzer, their replacements filled in with aplomb. Cache Younkin shifted from linebacker to defensive end, a new position for the 5'9" junior. "All in all, we played well," said Liebelt. "Factoring in that we played with mixed starters, we played well."

Coach Liebelt and his men walk into Friday's tussle with the 6-2 Mustangs knowing that, while a win would seal first round home-field advantage in the playoffs, a loss would necessarily be followed by an arduous bus ride west - likely to Baker. The undefeated Spartans drubbed Glasgow 40-0 in week three.

But playoff worries are moot for the single-minded. Liebelt, at present, cultures his team for Malta. 

"They've got a well balanced team," he said. "Allen Williamson is a phenomenal running back - big, fast, lots of agility. They've got good QBs and WRs, too, and brought back many veterans from last year. Our challenge is to contain Williamson while also covering their ability to beat teams through the air."

As far as motivation, Liebelt eschews rah-rah, instead relying on history to build up the game's meaning in his players' heads. "Even if the game had no significance for the playoffs, its still a big game for both towns and both teams. Malta's always been one of Glasgow's biggest rivals. The motivation takes care of itself."