Two of the top running backs in the state will be on display in the UNI-Dome this evening as fifth ranked Cedar Falls hosts number eight Iowa City High in a class 4A playoff game. City High has put the ball in the hands of tailback Ronald Thompson an average of 22 times a game this season as he’s racked up more than 1,700 rushing yards.
But Cedar Falls co-head coach Brad Remmert says that Thompson is just one cog in the Little Hawk running machine as they have a physical offensive line and a good running quarterback. He says they try to average 3 yards a carry and will go for it on 4th down to keep the ball from their opponent.
Remmert says the Cedar Falls defense will try to put City High in some unfavorable down-and-distance situations. He says they will have to be solid on first down and force some 3rd and long and 4th and long, something he says they didn’t do last year.
City High beat the Tigers 49-28 in the quarterfinal round a year ago. Cedar Falls has a pretty good running back in the form of All-Stater Barkley Hill, who leads Class 4A in rushing.
Tiger co-head coach Pat Mitchell says that with a back like Hill, Cedar Falls could play a bit of ball control as well. He says last year they defense couldn’t stop them, as they were able to move the ball. Mitchell is hoping his team can get the ball and keep and and force Iowa City to “cool their heels” a little bit.
By Jesse Gavin, KCNZ,Cedar Falls