Class C - Final

Drummond - 32

Wibaux - 24

MORNING REPORT:

Wibaux and Drummond are the two most dominant teams of the decade in Class C football. But their rivalry is not a bitter one.

Saturday’s Class C championship game will mark the fourth postseason showdown between the Longhorns and Trojans since 2004. While each meeting is as intense and hard-hitting as the one before it, the regard between the two also grows with each one.

“Most certainly the relationship between the two programs has gone from high intensity in that first game (2004) to a high level of respect,” said Drummond coach Jim Oberweiser. “Jeff (Bertelsen, the Wibaux coach) and I are friends … I have a lot of respect for him and our kids have a lot of respect for that program.”

Bertelsen echoed those sentiments.

“There’s definitely a mutual respect there,” he said. “Jim and his staff do such a great job. Our kids know that every time we play Drummond, we’re playing an outstanding team. And they know it’s going to take a great effort to beat them.”

Saturday’s showdown at Veterans Memorial Field in Wibaux features many of the same elements as previous meetings. Both teams are undefeated — Drummond 10-0 and Wibaux 11-0 — and both feature a power running game and a dominating defense.

Wibaux has outscored its opponents by a 518-118 count this season. Junior running back Collin Harrell has rushed for 1,332 yards and 24 touchdowns, including 567 yards and eight TDs in three playoff wins.

Junior quarterback Jaylen Sokoloski has also saved his best for the postseason — seven of his 18 touchdown passes have come in the playoffs. Senior Robert Gehre is the Longhorns’ leading receiver with 31 catches for 384 and eight TDs. He’s also caught 13 two-point conversion passes.

“Harrell is a tough runner. He’s been almost unstoppable in the playoffs,” said Oberweiser. “A.J. LaBelle is an outstanding two-way lineman, and they do a good job of utilizing him. Defensively, we’re going to have to swarm to the football. And when we get there, we have to tackle well.

“Wibaux’s philosophy has always been to play straight-ahead football. But they can also throw it … Sokoloski throws a real nice ball. We’re almost preparing for ourselves in many ways.”

Drummond has outscored its opponents 508-100 this season, led by the running of junior fullback Bryan Mannix (1,002 yards, 13 touchdowns) and senior quarterback Neil Mannix (509 yards, 17 TDs).

Neil Mannix has also thrown for 14 TDs.

“It’s a very typical Drummond team,” said Bertelsen, who guided the Longhorns to the Class C championship in 2001 and runner-up finishes in 2002, ’06 and ’08. “They run the option and they run it very well. They’re athletic and they’re physical, and that starts with Mannix at quarterback. He does a great job of running the option. And they throw a little more this year than they have in the past, mainly because (Mannix) throws so well.

“Defensively, we have to play well up front to slow down their option. That’s always the No. 1 key against Drummond.”

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Harrell leads the Wibaux defense with 861/2 tackles, followed by LaBelle, a 6-2, 240-pound senior, with 471/2, junior Shaide Zeimer with 46, senior Robert Gehre 44 and sophomore James Franz 43.

Bertelsen said last year’s 28-21 loss to Superior in the Class C championship has helped his Longhorns get back to the title game.

“That loss is still in their minds, but it’s a new year and a new season,” said Bertelsen, a 1993 Wibaux High grad. “These kids really worked hard in the weight room all spring and summer … last year’s loss really motivated these guys, and our seniors have been great leaders.

“The kids are excited for the chance to play for the championship again, and especially to play it at home. It’s always special to play a championship game on your home field.”

NOTES: The Drummond team began the 550-mile trip to Wibaux this morning and will stay in Miles City tonight, leaving just a 90-minute drive on Saturday morning. … Wibaux is 89-10 since Bertelsen took over as head coach in 2001. … This is Wibaux’s 10th championship game appearance. The Longhorns are 5-4 in title games, with their wins coming in 1991, ’92, ’93, 2001 and ’01. … Drummond is 69-6 in the past seven seasons, with four of those losses coming in 2008 when the Trojans went 4-4. … Drummond won Class C championships in 2003, ’04, ’05 and ’07.

We meet again

Saturday’s Class C championship will be the fourth playoff meeting between Wibaux and Drummond since 2004. Here’s a look at the first three: