Minco hopes to flip script
Minco takes on Afton in a playoff rematch from last year. This time around, the Bulldogs hope to come out on top.
MINCO — It was a frustrating way to lose.
Minco trailed Afton by three points for most of the fourth quarter in last year’s quarterfinals matchup in the Class A playoffs.
Thanks to a dominant ground game, led by quarterback Wil Amos, Afton milked most of the clock but left Minco with a chance to take the lead with three minutes remaining.
Minco managed to drive all the way to the Afton 3-yard line, but it’s fourth-and-goal run was stopped short, Afton went on to win 23-20, leaving Minco with a long trip home.
“We had our chances,” Minco coach Brock Wardlaw said. “But we just couldn’t get the ball back. Our guys were definitely heartbroken, but I told them then ‘We’ll see these guys again.’” Wardlaw was right. This Friday, Afton will travel to Minco in a rematch of the Class A quarterfinals matchup from last season.
On paper, everything about Afton looks similar, says Wardlaw.
“They are practically the same exact team,” he said. “They still have Wil Amos, and he runs like a deer. He can outrun you, and he can run over you, too. He’s probably the most athletic kid in all of Class A.”
Amos has dominated this season. Last week, in a blowout 40-14 victory against Cashion, the senior quarterback ran for 281 yards and four touchdowns.
But Minco’s defense has been excellent so far this season, pitching six shutouts and holding opponents through two playoff games to 21 total points.
“We just need to eliminate those big plays Afton likes to get,” Wardlaw said. “We did a good job against them last year, and I think our defense is better even this year.”
Wardlaw said the easiest part of his job this week has been getting his players’ focus. With fall break and Thanksgiving posing possible distractions, Wardlaw said his guys have been all business.
“They really want this one,” Wardlaw said. “They would want this one bad no matter what because it’s the playoffs.
“But another shot at Afton makes it even more enticing for them.”