ELDON, Mo. - In this era of wide-open football, defenses concentrate so much on stopping pass-happy spread formations that a strong running game can sometimes catch them off-guard.
The Eldon Mustangs won't be so fortunate tonight when they travel to Owensville for a non-conference game (7 p.m. kickoff).
This will be the first Eldon-Owensville regular-season football meeting in 35 years. But last year in the first round of the Class 3 District 6 playoffs, Eldon outscored Owensville 56-33 to advance. So the Dutchmen have seen the Mustangs' wing-T up close and personal.
And, playing in the Four Rivers Conference, the Dutchmen are forced to defend against strong rushing attacks constantly.
"We're from a run-heavy conference," said Owensville head coach Dale Long. "We see different formations, but we usually see run-heavy offenses week in and week out with teams like St. Clair, Sullivan and Hermann. When you play strong running teams you've got to make sure your kids line up properly."
Long adds the Eldon attack was impressive in its weather-shortened 41-13 victory against Boonville last week, a game that was stopped one play into the fourth period due to lightning.
Owensville opened with a 28-24 non-league road victory against Potosi.
Eldon head coach Shannon Jolley said the Mustangs will have their hands full containing Dutchman dual-threat junior quarterback Wyatt Ellis.
Ellis has started since his freshman campaign and earned all-district honors last season. Last week Ellis passed for 135 yards and triggered a Dutchman attack that compiled 405 offensive yards.
Owensville rushed for 270 yards against Potosi, with senior running back Robert Weirich leading the charge with 100 yards.
Ellis' top passing targets include junior wideouts Dustin Faragher and Sean Irwin and senior wideout Devon Ridenour. Sharing the backfield with Weirich is junior running back Tanner Rector.
Pacing the Dutchmen defense are junior lineman Brandon Faragher, senior linebackers Deric Rugen and Logan Becker and Weirich at safety.
"They're going to be better than they were last year," Jolley said of Owensville, which finished 4-6 in 2015. "They have a pretty dynamic offense with an outstanding quarterback. It looks like their offense has made huge strides.
"There is a lot for us to prepare for on the defensive side."
The Mustangs hope to repeat the quick-strike ability they displayed in the second quarter last week.
Trailing 7-6 after the first quarter, Eldon erupted for five touchdowns - including 28 unanswered points - to bury Boonville. It was 41-13 at halftime.
Senior fullback Trenton Kidwell rushed for 121 yards on 22 carries and scored three touchdowns for Eldon while junior running back Isaiah Merida rushed for 92 yards on 11 carries and returned a kickoff 94 yards for a TD.
Mustang senior quarterback Austin Kempker hit two of his three passes for 64 yards and a TD - both going to senior tight end Jacob Whittle.
The Eldon defense limited Boonville to 217 yards of total offense. Sophomore safety Dawson Brandt paced the Mustangs with 15 tackles and had an interception while sophomore linebacker Isaiah Parsons had 11 tackles, Whittle eight tackles and 1.5 sacks and Trenton Dillon had six tackles and a sack.
"They will be very physical and will be hitting us in the mouth," Long said. "In the wing-T they run 80, 90 percent of the time. You've got to play physical and fast. And we can't take any plays off like we did last week.
"Their running backs run hard and they have a couple of guards who pull well. They do a good job."
Jolley is looking for a complete performance this week.
"The only critical comment I have about last week is that I was disappointed we didn't come out in the third quarter and be more aggressive," Jolley said. "But in the first half it's hard to complain when you score 41 points."
Eldon at Owensville
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