Friday, Oct. 10, 2008

Triad and Highland will decide MVC title

Winner will be conference champ

HIGHLAND -- If Highland and Triad were playing in a corn field somewhere in Madison County, several thousand fans probably would show up.

"It wouldn't matter if we were 0-6 and they were 0-6 coming into this game," said Triad coach Paul Bassler. "It's a rivalry game, like Belleville East and West or Mater Dei and Central. You're going to have all kinds of hype and fan interest surrounding it no matter what the circumstances are.

"This year, there's just a little more attached to it."

The stakes are definitely ratcheted up this year in the annual duel, which takes place at 7 p.m. today in Highland. Both teams are 4-2 overall and tied for first place in the Mississippi Valley Conference with 3-0 records.

With only one league game left after tonight, the winner will clinch the MVC crown and earn an automatic playoff berth.

Don't think the estimated 3,000 to 4,000 fans that will find their way to Highland are oblivious to the magnitude of the game.

"Triad is a rivalry game, so it's always a big game," said Highland coach Ron Holt. "When you add to it the fact that there's a playoff berth sitting there and the conference championship, that only takes it up another two or three notches."

Triad has a four-game winning streak against Highland, which last beat the Knights 24-21 in 2003 on a 32-yard field goal by Tyler Wilke with 1:10 left in the fourth quarter. Triad won 45-14 last year, 34-21 in 2006, 30-27 in 2005 and 62-0 in 2004.

Both coaches believe the gap between the two schools has significantly shrunk.

"I'm not sure in the last couple of years, in the back of the kids' minds, they weren't sure if they could beat Triad," Holt said. "I think this year we believe, if we play our very best, we can beat them."

Highland has been one of the area's best stories, rebounding from an 0-2 start to win its last four games by an average margin of 33 points. The Bulldogs' confidence has grown with each win, and their power running game has gained loads of respect.

Working behind a beefy offensive line, the Bulldogs have five running backs with at least 35 carries and 220 yards. They are sophomore Michael Buehne (36 carries, 335 yards), senior quarterback Travis Becherer (39 carries, 315 yards), seniors Hudson Seegers (47 carries, 271 yards) and Bobby Ostrander (37 carries, 237 yards), and junior Dale Korte (45 carries, 222 yards).

"They're back to what they feel like they do best," Bassler said. "When Highland was making the playoffs regularly and getting after people, they ran that power football and they seem like they've gone back to that. They had those years where they were successful throwing the ball, but they've kind of gravitated back to old Highland and trying to run you over and play power football.

"Whoever is in there, you're going to have to defend. That's basically what it boils down to. There's no weak link so to speak."

Triad -- which was beset by turnover problems in its 1-2 start -- are powered by a ground game that features tailback J.J. Jones (656 yards, 10 touchdowns) and quarterback Kristian Moon (579 yards, eight TDs).

Moon has attempted just 14 passes this season, completing five for 64 yards.

"The challenge is going to keep J.J. and Kristian under control," Holt said. "We're going to have to play disciplined defensive football. You have to stay in your gaps and keep them from getting out in the open. If they get out in the open, we may be in trouble. We can't let this turn into a track meet."

Given both teams' penchant for running the ball, the game could be over in a blink.

"I think the clock is going to keep running," Bassler said. "I hope it doesn't come down to who has the ball last. That's too nerve-racking."

Contact reporter Rod Kloeckner at rkloeckner@bnd.com or 239-2663.