TR PHOTO BY JAKE RYDER – Gladbrook-Rhinebeck sophomore Trayvon Herron during the Rebels’ 62-30 win over Key Community in the opening eight-man football playoff game Friday in Gladbrook. (9 years old) is happy after making a successful interception.
GLADBROKE — A consistent Gladbrook-Rhinebeck offense ultimately dominated the Keys 62-30 in the first round of the eight-man playoffs at The Pit in Gladbrook.
“We were able to do pretty much everything we wanted to do offensively,” GR head coach John Olson said. “Very efficient. I think we play the least offensively among eight-man teams in the entire state. It’s kind of weird from that perspective.”
GR (8-1) will learn its second-round opponent Saturday morning. The key is out at 5-4.
Only one of GR’s scoring drives was longer than five plays, and two of the Rebels’ scoring drives were quarterback Drew Eilers’ 63-yard score in the first half and a 41-yard score in the fourth. It was as simple as giving the yard scamper room to run. quarter. Those were two of Eilers’ five rushing touchdowns on Friday. The 6-foot-3 senior also threw and scored two points.
“We have a great coach and a great plan,” Eilers said. “The O-line is working hard, and the receivers are all really fast guys and playing hard. … I’m just trying to take the ball and run hard and get to the end zone.”
Key’s first three drives were effective, but resulted in zero points as GR’s defense bent but could not penetrate. Trevor Mathern had several pass breakups on fourth-down pass attempts and helped put the ball back in the hands of the high-powered Rebels offense.
“It can be frustrating for guys to play a defense that gives up 2-8 yards on a play, but that long drive tired (Key) more than it tired us,” Olson said. Ta. “We could have blitzed a lot, we could have played more man-to-man, we probably could have gotten one or two more picks, but they probably got two more out of the contract. We’re going to get some touchdowns. We’re always going to take our hats off to playing really solid defense.”
Key quarterback Dalton Maderman didn’t take it easy on the Rebels defense, forcing it back on Friday night and using his agility to evade Rebel tacklers multiple times and score three passing touchdowns. , and scored one rushing touchdown.
“He’s really fast,” Eilers said. “The coaches told us not to arm tackle him because he’s a tough guy to beat. And towards the end of the game, we threw him a few throws to see where he was going. I think we started making plays and attacked from there and probably tried to blitz him a few times to get him off balance.”
Olson praised Drayson Morgan and Bennett See for stepping up in place of regular defensive starter Austin Mathern to stifle the Hawk passing attack.
“They don’t have a lot of experience playing against teams that can pass like they can,” Olson said. “They did a great job and our defensive line deserves a lot of credit as well.”
The Hawks were up to 42-30 in the fourth quarter, but were unable to hold off the Rebels’ offense and give the hosts a break, and a few late turnovers ended GR’s first-round contest. It was useful.
Hudson Clark caught a touchdown pass from Eilers and added another point in the second half. Mathern caught Eilers’ other touchdown pass and Trayvon Herron added a 16-yard touchdown run for the final score of the game.
The Rebels advance to the Round of 16.
“It’s just a matter of finding what we’re good at, hanging our hat on that, finding what we’re weak at and just getting a little bit better in those areas,” Olson said of preparing for next week. Ta. “Adjustment is always key when it comes to defense. We saw a team throw 50 tonight, and next week we might see a team running 50. We’re just honing in on practice to get it right.” Masu.”
TR PHOTO BY JAKE RYDER – Gladbrook-Rhinebeck sophomore Trayvon Herron, 9, during the Rebels’ 62-30 win over Key Community in the opener of the eight-man football playoffs Friday in Gladbrook. (years old) was happy to make a successful interception.
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