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Southwest-Red Cloud on Friday starting a 'buzz'
BARTLEY, Neb. — There’s no containing the fever about Southwest’s second Six-Man football game of 2020 against Red Cloud Friday afternoon.
“Oh yeah, there is definitely a buzz,” coach Christian Arterburn said about the 2:30 p.m. kickoff for a Top 10 showdown in Red Cloud. “People are talking about it. It’s been a long time since we’ve started 1-0 and even longer since we’ve been rated.”
The Omaha World-Herald and Huskerland Prep both list Southwest among Six-Man’s Top 10 following its 46-34 win over then-No. 8 Wilcox-Hildreth on Aug. 28.
Roughriders rushed for more than 400 yards as junior Garrett Latimer reached 212. Senior Brett Tryon broke through for 112.
Now senior Matthew VanPelt returns after missing most of the last several months due to a torn ACL suffered during wrestling season.
“Matt will play some quarterback and middle linebacker,” Arterburn revealed. “It’s great to have him back.”
Arterburn added the Roughriders learned some “good ideas” from Wilcox-Hildreth in their first game since moving from Eight-Man football.
Six-Man features some interesting differences like linemen being eligible pass receivers.
Seniors Bryson Shoemaker, Cole Downey and freshman Trenton Custard were the driving forces in Southwest’s game one line success.
“Oh yeah, they are all begging for the ball,” the coach confirmed.
Teams also must move 15 yards to gain a first down and PAT kicks count for two points with runs or passes being just one.
“We’ve adapted pretty well, but I think the key has been our tackling,” the coach explained. “We weren’t a great tackling team last year, but I thought we were real good in the open field (vs. Wilcox-Hildreth).”
Linebackers Tryon and Latimer were leading tacklers during that great season opener.
Now Red Cloud (2-0) brings an offense that’s rained 57 and 56 points upon the first two foes.
The Six-Man No. 7 Warriors routed Lewiston, 56-0, last week.
“They (Red Cloud) are a little bigger, more physical power,” Arterburn said in comparison to Wilcox-Hildreth. “But perhaps not quite as quick.”
Another area afternoon contest features Cambridge (1-1) hosting Southern Valley (1-1) at 3 p.m. in Cambridge.
The Eagles are averaging 35 points through two games.
Class D-1 Top 10 Cambridge must rebound from a tough 28-26 defeat at Amherst.