October 11, 2012 at 1:14 p.m.
Showdown Friday for Six Rivers title
But the senior running back had plenty of help Friday in a 42-22 win over Cassville. The decision on Highland's side of the column sets up a showdown Friday for all the marbles at Potosi.
The game will draw interest from different corners of the Six Rivers. Pecatonica-Argyle can also gain a share of the title if they beat Black Hawk and Highland gets past Potosi.
The Cardinals and the Vikings both have one loss and trail undefeated Potosi. All three teams are play-off bound but first they have to settle the Six Rivers championship race.
Pecatonica-Argyle is the only team to blemish Highland's record this season. The Vikings lost to Potosi.
"We are in a very similar position as we were last year and hoping for the same results," said Highland coach Shaun Reuter. "They are a very athletic team with lots of weapons and we will be in for a huge challenge this week. They are extremely good on defense with lots of speed. It should be a great game and we are looking forward to it."
The Cardinals won the battle last year and shared the Six Rivers crown with the Chieftains.
Last Friday Yager picked up 235 yards on 21 carries and had touchdown runs of eight and five yards. He also ran in a conversion and caught a pass for another.
"Our offensive line did a great job of picking up the blitzes and getting on their blocks," said Reuter. "Caleb again continues to improve every week. He is really quick and can make people miss and he finishes runs well delivering the blow instead of taking it."
The Cardinals had 35 points on the board before Cassville scored. The Comets put up 22 points the last quarter. With the starting defensive unit on the field the Comets were held to 44 yards.
Also running hard for the Cardinals were Nic Pierick who had 26 yards on five carries and Blake Bomkamp who picked up 87 yards on four carries including a 74 yard touchdown run.
Pierick and Weston Satern both scored on two yard runs in the second quarter and Brandon McCollough returned a punt 53 yards for a score. Pierick kicked one conversion.
With the run game piling up 372 yards the Cardinals did not need much in the way of passing. They used the airways six times with Blake Bodenstein completing three of four for 15 and Blake Bomkamp one of two for three yards.
"Our running game was working so well that we didn't have to go to the air," Reuter said.
One of the game's highlights was Satern finding his way into the end zone.
"It was great to see Weston Satern get into the end zone on a great call by Coach Justin Scanlen," Reuter said. "Weston is a kid who plays wherever we need him and doesn't get a lot of recognition but is very valuable to our team."
He was also glad to see McCollough break his way through to a score.
"McCollough returned a punt in the second quarter which was good to see because we have been close a number of times, even having one called back earlier in the year," Reuter said. "It is nice to get those quick scores and have another weapon."
"Blake Bomkamp finished off our scoring with a 73 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter," Reuter said. "He played quarterback in the second half so we could rest Big Blake."
The Cardinals also had a strong defensive performance.
"Our starting defense played really well especially after the opening drive when they were able to get a couple of first downs on us," Reuter said. "Nic Pierick and Brad Wolfe led us in tackles with 8 each. Trey Olson had another good day with 5 tackles one for a loss, a sack, and a forced fumble. Matt Menke who is back from a knee injury also had 5 tackles and a pass defensed. He is a very good tackler especially in the open field and it is great to see him back making plays."
After losing to the Vikings last week Reuter was glad to see the Cardinals regroup.
" I just thought that we were able to come out and put last weeks loss behind us and play really well, particularly in the first half," Reuter said.
