The high school football playoffs resume tonight with the quarterfinal round in three classes. In class 1A, sixth ranked Gladbrook-Reinbeck will try to avenge a 33-14 regular season loss when the Rebels host Dike-New Hartford.
Gladbrook-Reinbeck coach Chris Ehrhardt says they knew when they played them in week 8 they knew they would have another chance, but he says the Wolverines were in a do or die situation and came out fired up.
Ehrhardt says his defense needs a big game as Dike-New Hartford has the best line they’ve faced all year. He says they need to do a better job with their own offense to keep the other offense off the field.
Dike-New Hartford coach Justin Urbanek says the Wolverine offense has made strides during the second half of the season. He says they’ve been able to mix it up a little more and keep defenses off balance. Though he says his defense has carried them all season long. Urbanek says the Wolverines will be facing a motivated team after losing the district.
Also in class 1A, 7th rated Algona Garrigan is at home against number-10 Pocahontas Area. Garrigan coach Marty Wadle says slowing down the Pocahontas running game is a key with a good fullback and tailback to carry the load. Pocahontas coach Roger Sommerlot is concerned about big plays from the Garrigan offense. He says they can break a big play through the air or on the ground and he says they have to defend well enough to prevent the big play.