Fremont-Mills’ run game too much for Vikings

Fremont-Mills coach Jeremy Christiansen had a few goals in his team’s regular season final.

Run the ball, get off to a quick start, rest the starters.

The Knights checked all three boxes while running for 301 yards, scoring the first 44 points and playing most of the second half with the junior varsity in a 44-6 victory over Stanton in Eight-man football Friday.

“Our plan was to pound the ball and spread it around when the time came and when we got to the point we were good, make sure we get into the playoffs healthy and I think we accomplished those goals,” Christiansen said.

The Knights (6-1) are the District 7 champions and will face Coon Rapids Bayard (8-1) in Friday’s Eight-man playoffs. Kick off is set for 7 p.m. Friday in Tabor.
Against Stanton, Seth Malcom keyed the Knights running game carrying 10 times for 191 yards and three touchdowns.

“He does have the ability to be the workhorse if we need him to be. Now that we’re in the playoffs, we need to make sure  we’re in a position to win the ball game. Whether that means he’s getting 15 (carries) or 45 will be determined about half way through (the game).”

But it was the Knights’ defense against the pass happy Viking offense that impressed Christiansen. The Vikings finished with 226 total yards. Quarterback Keygan Day completed 23-of-46 passes for 180 yards and was picked off three times.

“We wanted to get a lead going early and we had a fumble that slowed us down early but defensively I thought we did very well against their quarterback and receivers who had done a good job that point throwing the ball around,” Christiansen said. “I thought we did a good job containing them.”

Colton Hauschild wrapped up eight solo tackles and had two interceptions to lead the Fremont-Mills’ defense.

The Knights now turn their eyes to their first round playoff opponent, Coon Rapids Bayard. The Crusaders feature a power run game headed by tailback Jeffrey Eagle. Eagle has rushed for 1,879 yards and 26 TDs this season on 267 carries.

Christiansen said he’s watched a little bit of film and he sees a team that looks a lot like his own.

“They’re a power run team,” he said. “Their defensive is very fundamentally sound. So whichever offensive line ends up winning the game in the trenches is probably going to end up winning the ball game. This might be a fast ball game.”

Eagle, Christiansen said, looks like a formidable runner his team will have to be ready for

“I haven’t seen him in person but he probably is the best back we’ve seen,” Christiansen said. “We’ve seen some pretty good ballplayers. Hopefully we’re up to the task.”
 

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