Posen heads for Marion in playoff opener
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POSEN -- There's just something special about a high school football team making the post-season. Twelfth-ranked Posen (7-2 overall) gets to do that for the fourth time in five years tonight (Friday), when it heads to play third ranked Marion (9-0) for a first round 8-Player Division 2 contest.
"We've been focused this week in preparation, just enjoying each other's company and just enjoying having another week to play football," Posen coach Greg Pietsch said. "We are happy to be in this position and we are just trying to continue on with things."
The Vikings went just 1-8 last year, and their resurgence this fall was a surprise to many in the area. Posen was just a play or two away from beating Rogers City back in week three, and they led at the half against Au Gres in their Week 9 loss, or else they might be looking at an undefeated record and home playoff game.
Pietsch wasn't all that surprised however in how his team performed this year though.
"I always knew that we had some good football players, we just had to grow up and this group of kids has done that and we've been successful this year," he said. "I'm really proud of everyone that has been a part of it. We have a very hard working group of people in our program, the players, the coaches and there's even a lot of people behind the scenes that don't get mentioned that make this thing work. Being the size school that we are, it is kind of cool to see that. It is kind of like being a family."
Their playoff opener is certainly a doozy. Marion has won every game this year by at least 44 points. The Eagles have scored on an average a whopping 64 points per game and their defense has given up less than 10 a game.
"We know that we are going up against a very quality opponent, we are taking it as a challenge," Pietsch said. "We are going to go over and give our best effort and play football. Our kids have prepared for this and we have had some good quality practices and we will be ready."
They'll certainly need to be on their 'A' game if they're to slow them down. Marion quarterback Mason Salisbury has thrown for 1178 yards and 20 touchdowns, and he has added 782 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground. Brothers Gavin Prielipp and Braden Prielipp both have around 800 yards rushing apiece, and around 500 receiving yards apiece. The trio have been key cogs in the Eagles' back-to-back state semi-final runs the last two seasons. They have plenty of other weapons as well.
"They have all the components that really make a successful football team and they've had lots of success, especially in the last two seasons," Pietsch said. "We are well aware of the program that Marion has, we have a tremendous amount of respect for them and we will see what we can do."
And while home field advantage is nice, Pietsch was quick to point out that their only two losses came at home this year.
"I honestly don't think our kids get too caught up in being home or away," he said. "We just have a group of kids that love playing football. If you look at our record, we are undefeated on the road this year. We like the challenge of being on the road and we have had success being on the road so we will see what we can do. It is a second season, and we are excited about it."