The West Fork football team will look to hunt down their biggest win in program history, with a trip to #2 (A) Saint Ansgar for a Class A second round matchup on Friday. The game will air on 104.9 KLMJ. These teams know each other well, with 13 meetings since 2011. The Warhawks will look for their first ever win over the Saints.
West Fork (7-2) advanced with their first playoff win in program history, a thrilling 25-23 overtime victory at #10 (A) Nashua-Plainfield last week. The Warhawks will look to build on a 229 yard rushing performance last week in their win over the Huskies. Dax Suntken leads the backfield with 1,137 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Warhawks defense, forced three turnovers and allowed only six points in the second half and overtime against a top 10 offense last week. The Warhawks defense will look to hold its ground against a top 5 offense this week. Head Coach Dan Westhoff says how the team responds to adversity will be a difference maker.
“We gotta play fearless. I think we’ve done a good job of that. Playing fearless is continuing to believe when things are not going well. When we get jumped and they get some big plays early or get some momentum. We have got to truly believe in continuing to battle. I think that’s really important,” says Westhoff. “We’re gonna face adversity Friday night, guaranteed. They are a really good football team. We need to do what we’ve done all year and respond the right way.”
Saint Ansgar (9-0) advanced with a 47-0 home shutout over East Marshall last week. The Saints offense leads the state in rushing touchdowns (48), yards per carry (10.9) and has the third most rushing yards (2,936). Korben Michels paces their rushing attack with 1,284 yards and 24 touchdowns. The Saints defense has forced teams to stay on the ground with 13 interceptions (tied for the fourth most in Class A).
Pregame coverage will begin at 6:15 p.m. followed by the kickoff at 7:00 p.m. in Saint Ansgar. The winner will advance to face either #9 (A) North Linn or Pekin in the quarterfinal round next week.
Full Interview with Head Coach Dan Westhoff:
