The challenge has been issued.
Pittsburg Purple Dragons coach Tom Nickelson has made it quite clear to his linemen that they must play better up front if they want a different result in Friday's battle at Paola.
A year ago, the Paola Panthers dominated the line of scrimmage and running back Skylar Hawkins rushed for 257 yards in a 34-14 win against Pittsburg.
“Last year, they put it on us pretty good,” Nickelson said. “We made way too many mistakes. They were the more physical team, and they completely dominated the game.”
“Our linemen have been challenged. They’ve been challenged repeatedly this week. Hopefully, this is redemption for us. Honestly, it was an embarrassing performance for us last year. Paola is a great program, and we will have to be ready. It will be a battle for four quarters.”
In Pittsburg’s first two games, the Dragons have achieved the task.
Pittsburg rushed for more than 300 yards, while limiting Coffeyville to about 190 in Week 1’s 42-18. This past week, the Dragons dominated up front by out-rushing Columbus 409 to 53 in a 46-7 win.
Pittsburg quarterback Joe Wimmer has rushed for 258 yards and three TDs in the first two games, while running back Marcus Striplin has ran for 215 yards and four TDs.
“One thing about playing Pittsburg is that they are very well coached,” Paola coach Michael Dumpert said. “They generally don’t beat themselves. Our kids know they are going to have to play very sound to win.
“We’ll have to be ready for their quarterback and tailback. They are both very good players.”
The Dragons also will need to be ready for the Panthers’ running game.
Paola will be without the graduated Hawkins, who was dominant in his four years with the Panthers. However, his departure hasn’t seemed to slow Paola’s running game much. Running backs Tyler Henness and Tanner Staats and quarterback Seth Kern have picked up the slack in the first two games.
Paola ran the ball well in a 27-6 win against Baldwin and a 36-0 win against DeSoto.
“Their fullback is a two or three-year stater,” Nickelson said. “Their quarterback is just as a dangerous of runner. They were far from a one-man team last year. Hawkins was an exceptional tailback, but I don’t see their running game dropping off any.”
However, Dumpert said the running game still has room to improve.
“So far the running game is developing,” he said. “The one thing we’ve done in our running game so far is ground and pound. We had an 18-play drive against DeSoto. Not a lot of teams can say that. But we do want to be able to get that big play. We need to do a better job of blocking at the second or third levels.”
Both coaches said they like having this game on the schedule. The Dragons need as many tough games as possible to prepare for what may be the most competitive 5A district in the state with Gardner-Edgerton, St. Thomas Aquinas and Blue Valley – Stilwell. Paola, meanwhile, likes facing a traditional 5A school in preparation for a 4A district that includes Louisburg, last year’s state champion.
“We seek out games like this,” Dumpert said. “Especially early in the year, we want games like this. We don’t fear good opponents early. We want our weaknesses exposed. We want to know where we need to improve.”
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