Submitted by admin on Sat, 2005-10-08 00:00. ::
The Keokuk Chiefs were able to celebrate homecoming with a convincing win over Centerville last week. Friday, the Chiefs look to build on the momentum and even its record against one of the top teams in Class 3A District 5.
Keokuk travels to Oskaloosa to take on the 4-1 Indians. Oskaloosa is tied with Washington for first place in the district with a 3-0 record. The Indians lead the district in total offense and total defense.
Oskaloosa's lone loss came on the road in the first game of the season. Waukee, currently ranked second in 3A, stopped the Indians on a two-point conversion in overtime for a 37-36 win.
”That game was kind of a downer because we missed every extra point we kicked," said Oskaloosa Head Coach Darrell Schumacher. ”You wish you had one of those missed kicks back. We went for two points the last two times and couldn't score. My hat's off to Waukee for stopping us."
Oskaloosa bounced back with a strong performance in a 27-3 win at Pella. In the district, the Indians have dominated their opponents, defeating Fort Madison 41-7, Chariton 42-6 and Fairfield 38-21.
”We're starting to play better," Schumacher said. ”Our defense has really stepped up its play, and on offense we're trying to get the ball in the hands of our play-makers."
Quarterback Ryan Van Dalen was named to the Iowa Football Coaches Association pre-season all-state team after throwing for 1,087 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. He will surpass those totals this season, barring injury. Van Dalen has passed for 962 yards and has thrown 10 touchdowns in five games.
”Ryan is a three-year starter," Schumacher said. ”He has really worked hard. I think the world of him. He can throw the ball a mile, and he can make every throw there is."
Oskaloosa's top threat is junior Tyler Sash, who has scored 15 touchdowns this season. He leads the district with 28 receptions for 607 yards and eight touchdowns and is second in the district in rushing with 374 yards and six touchdowns. Sash also has a 92-yard kickoff for a touchdown against Fort Madison.
”He plays tail back, split end and slot back," Schumacher said. ”We move him around because we don't want the defense to adjust to him and to take advantage of his talents. He is an awful good football player."
”Our line play was a big question mark going into the season," Schumacher said. ”That was an area we struggled with last season, but those kids came in and put in the work in the weight room and it shows. We're not very big, but we get off the ball well. I'm pretty happy right now with the way they've played."
Defensively, Oskaloosa swarms to the ball. The Indians have allowed 23 points over the last four games. Fairfield scored 14 of its 21 points on a kickoff and punt returns for touchdowns.
Forcing turnovers has been a big part of Oskaloosa's success. Fairfield turned the ball over seven times, six on interceptions, last week against the Indians. Oskaloosa has recorded 19 turnovers in five games.
Linebacker Daniel Foster leads Oskaloosa with 45 tackles. He also has two fumble recoveries and an interception. Linebacker Matt Mich has 35 tackles, and linebacker Chase Mitrisin has 32 tackles.
Defensive back Adam Russell leads the team with three interceptions, while Sash and Tyler Alexander each have two interceptions. Kyle Almond, a defensive end, Mitrisin and Mich each have one interception.
The Indians are preparing for a Keokuk offense that has scored 81 points over the last two games. The Chiefs scored 42 at Fort Madison and 39 last week against Centerville.
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