Wildcats will be tested right out of the gate

by shawn long
Sports writer
The Wildcats will certainly be tested when they travel to Marengo to play a 4A playoff team.
The Indians finished their six-game season with a respectable, 4-2 record, finishing second in the Kishwaukee River Conference that features 4A powerhouse Richmond Burton.
The Indians actually played the Rockets pretty well the first time, scoring a touchdown on them in a 23-7 loss. Their offense was one of the best in the conference, scoring 176 points (29ppg.) so they had some playmakers that are back this year. Wilmington scored 133 (27ppg.) in five games so they have a pretty strong offense as well.
Marengo, who is coached by Paul Forsythe, brings back a full, 34-man roster that features 17 seniors.
Under Forsythe, the Indians have been to the playoffs two of the three years and 12 in their 85 year history, including a second place at state in 1992.They’re no stranger to the state playoffs and neither are the ‘Cats, who have qualified for state the last 25 years.
The Indians run a shotgun one back set with a dual threat quarterback in Joshua Holst.The ‘Cats will need to make sure quarterback Holst (#8) is contained. He is very elusive and can get away from pass rushers. The Wildcats will have to have linebackers in contain for the quarterback run. Then, once he gets in space, he’s got some pretty good speed to beat the defense. He ran for their only touchdown in their second game against the Rockets. He’s also shown in other games that he has a pretty good arm but throws a lot of short passes to speedy receivers.
Once the ‘Cats contain Holst, they will have a tough running back in Dylan Stolz (#2) to slow down. Stolz is not very fast but he doesn’t have to be. He’s a shorter back at 5-9 170 pounds but he plays much bigger on offense and defense. He can run through tackles and consistently gets five to six yards per pop, allowing the pass to open up for Holst. And when that happens, a whole new slew of weapons get involved in the offense.
Holst will also dump the ball off to Ryan Seeman (#17), Logan Miller (#3) and Jack Heinberg (#35).
Seeman is a big target at 6-0 150 pounds who can go up and get it so he’s used in jump ball situations but what Holst like to do was get it to him when he was pressured. Seeman is his safety blanket.
Miller is a smaller receiver at 5-8 145 pounds who Holst likes to use in space. He breaks arm tackles and has some pretty good speed.
Heinberg is a big tight end at 6-1 220 pounds and also is the middle linebacker of the defense. It’s pretty apparent he is their leader on defense. He has a nose for the football and lays the lumber on the ballcarrier when he gets to the play.
The ‘Cats run out of the Double Wing offense and are a run first team. They have quite a few weapons they can hurt teams with.
Senior All-Conference running back Jake Friddle is back for his final season. He was a load to bring down in a two-headed backfield. He rushed for 459 yards with five touchdowns for the undefeated ‘Cats, who have one of their biggest lines back. Friddle will also be a linebacker.
Along with Friddle, the ‘Cats will have Karsen Hansen, Ryan Banas, Colin James and Kris Lamaster in a talented backfield that features a variety of backs Marengo will need to key on.
The quarterback spot will be filled by Kaden Humphries, who has a big arm and can run when he needs to.
Their biggest weapon is their middle linebacker Allan Richards, who doubles as an excellent kicker. He made the difference in a one loss or perfect season, hitting a 38-yard field goal against Coal City to seal the deal.
When it comes down to it, there might be quite a few points scored in this game. That’s what one would expect putting two strong offenses on the field together but it also might be decided by as little as a field goal.
If the ‘Cats are able to stop the running game and establish their own, they’ll start the season 1-0.
One thing is for certain, this is a great match. Both teams are pretty evenly matched and it should be an exciting game.