Heelan, Clear Lake in 'run' for finals
By Steven Allspach | Posted: Monday, November 17, 2008
Clear Lake's Fred Wieck retains old-school ties to a football schematic near and dear to his coaching heart -- the triple option.
That's why his unbeaten and second-ranked team (12-0) that tangles with unbeaten and No. 1-ranked Bishop Heelan (12-0) in the Class 3A playoff semifinals today in the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls (4:30) passes the ball only at its convenience.
"Clear Lake is a big, physical, athletic football team that plays it pretty close to the vest,'' said Heelan Coach Roger Jansen. "Nothing fancy there. They don't run many different offensive plays, but they run them all very effectively.
"They're well-schooled. They block and they tackle, obviously better than most.
"I've visited with Coach Wieck at clinics. He's modified the triple option. They'll run with two tight ends, double wingbacks and a fullback.
"They've got plenty of options to run the ball, including the quarterback, and they'll throw the ball on their terms.''
The classic duel of No. 1 versus No. 2 could be a short-term showdown.
Curiously, each team has rushed for 3,710 yards in 12 previous outings.
Heelan banks on University of Iowa recruit Brandon Wegher, the state's leader in rushing (2,743 yards), touchdowns (46) and points (291).
The 5-11, 206-pound senior owns 106 career touchdowns (second all-time), 738 career points (second all-time) and 6,328 career rushing yards (fifth all-time).
Clear Lake, on the other hand, spreads its running wealth.
Seniors Lukas Matheson (1,130), Josh Carlson (931) and Drew Dickson (596) are the leading rushers in Clear Lake's smash-mouth offense.
The 194-pound Carlson is the fullback. Quarterback Jake Plagge, the clever ball-handling quarterback, has passed for only 248 yards.
Heelan junior quarterback Zach McCabe has passed for 956 yards, but for just three touchdowns. The Clear Lake running trio has combined for 41 TDs.
Clear Lake's regular-season wins are over Humboldt (58-20), New Hampton (13-9), Algona (30-7), Waverly-Shell Rock (48-12), Charles City (38-8), Forest City (28-18), Iowa Falls/Alden (48-7), Hampton-Dumont (32-16), Webster City (31-6).
Huxley Ballard fell in the substate, 42-0, and Charles City tumbled 35-0 in the first playoff round as the Lions have outscored three post-season foes 102-12.
Wieck guided Clear Lake to the 3A crown in 2000 and Garwin-Green Mountain to the 1A title in 1987.
Jansen's Heelan team lost in the 3A finals last year to Keokuk. Heelan, in the playoffs for the 28th time, have outscored their foes 493-103, a 38-21 decision in the quarterfinals over Harlan.
Today's winner will face the Pella-Decorah semfinal winner in the title game in the UNI-Dome Saturday.
That's why his unbeaten and second-ranked team (12-0) that tangles with unbeaten and No. 1-ranked Bishop Heelan (12-0) in the Class 3A playoff semifinals today in the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls (4:30) passes the ball only at its convenience.
"Clear Lake is a big, physical, athletic football team that plays it pretty close to the vest,'' said Heelan Coach Roger Jansen. "Nothing fancy there. They don't run many different offensive plays, but they run them all very effectively.
"They're well-schooled. They block and they tackle, obviously better than most.
"I've visited with Coach Wieck at clinics. He's modified the triple option. They'll run with two tight ends, double wingbacks and a fullback.
"They've got plenty of options to run the ball, including the quarterback, and they'll throw the ball on their terms.''
The classic duel of No. 1 versus No. 2 could be a short-term showdown.
Curiously, each team has rushed for 3,710 yards in 12 previous outings.
Heelan banks on University of Iowa recruit Brandon Wegher, the state's leader in rushing (2,743 yards), touchdowns (46) and points (291).
The 5-11, 206-pound senior owns 106 career touchdowns (second all-time), 738 career points (second all-time) and 6,328 career rushing yards (fifth all-time).
Clear Lake, on the other hand, spreads its running wealth.
Seniors Lukas Matheson (1,130), Josh Carlson (931) and Drew Dickson (596) are the leading rushers in Clear Lake's smash-mouth offense.
The 194-pound Carlson is the fullback. Quarterback Jake Plagge, the clever ball-handling quarterback, has passed for only 248 yards.
Heelan junior quarterback Zach McCabe has passed for 956 yards, but for just three touchdowns. The Clear Lake running trio has combined for 41 TDs.
Clear Lake's regular-season wins are over Humboldt (58-20), New Hampton (13-9), Algona (30-7), Waverly-Shell Rock (48-12), Charles City (38-8), Forest City (28-18), Iowa Falls/Alden (48-7), Hampton-Dumont (32-16), Webster City (31-6).
Huxley Ballard fell in the substate, 42-0, and Charles City tumbled 35-0 in the first playoff round as the Lions have outscored three post-season foes 102-12.
Wieck guided Clear Lake to the 3A crown in 2000 and Garwin-Green Mountain to the 1A title in 1987.
Jansen's Heelan team lost in the 3A finals last year to Keokuk. Heelan, in the playoffs for the 28th time, have outscored their foes 493-103, a 38-21 decision in the quarterfinals over Harlan.
Today's winner will face the Pella-Decorah semfinal winner in the title game in the UNI-Dome Saturday.
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Stan Rupe wrote on Nov 17, 2008 10:34 AM: