WIth 36 Straight Wins and 3 Titles, Can Canistota Keep It Going?
The 2012 prep football season is well behind us and the 2013 campaign still months away, yet discussion on prep football has started to unwind with the hiring of new coaches, like Chad Stadem at Sioux Falls Washington High School and others. In addition, dialogue continues on the new controversial seven class system that goes into effect when the season begins in August.
As other prep football storylines begin to unfold, one that is front and center is the 36-game winning streak by the 9A Canistota Hawks. Can they win a fourth straight 9-man title?
It is a program that suffered heavy graduation losses. Yet, Canistota has overcome the loss of talented players in each of the past three seasons, although probably not to the degree of this past season.
Will Canistota Do It Again?
Canistota head football coach Lenny Schroeder preaches defense, execution and leadership. Over a three-year period, his Hawks players have listened and carried out the plan at the highest level in South Dakota 9-man prep football ranks.
As other prep football storylines begin to unfold, one that is front and center is the 36-game winning streak by the 9A Canistota Hawks. Can they win a fourth straight 9-man title?
It is a program that suffered heavy graduation losses. Yet, Canistota has overcome the loss of talented players in each of the past three seasons, although probably not to the degree of this past season.
Will Canistota Do It Again?
Canistota head football coach Lenny Schroeder preaches defense, execution and leadership. Over a three-year period, his Hawks players have listened and carried out the plan at the highest level in South Dakota 9-man prep football ranks.
Since breaking away from a co-op with Bridgewater after the 2009 season, the Hawks have become one of the state's all-time elite 9-man squads. Canistota has recorded three straight 12-0 seasons, building a 36-game winning streak, which ranks second best all-time (Freeman, 46 straight wins in 1995-99).
After going 12-0 and winning the school's first Class B crown in 2010, Canistota lost a group of standouts, led by all-state performers Jed Olson (RB) and Sam Jolley. While those losses, as well as players like Nic Gorder, were costly, the Canistota team reloaded and kept on winning. The Hawks put together another unbeaten, 12-0 campaign in 2011. Same result with the team copping a first-ever Class A title. Now after a third straight 12-0 campaign and a second straight Class A crown, the Hawks are setting their sites on continuing their winning ways. A fourth straight title will be a difficult task but the expectations are high in the small eastern South Dakota town.
After going 12-0 and winning the school's first Class B crown in 2010, Canistota lost a group of standouts, led by all-state performers Jed Olson (RB) and Sam Jolley. While those losses, as well as players like Nic Gorder, were costly, the Canistota team reloaded and kept on winning. The Hawks put together another unbeaten, 12-0 campaign in 2011. Same result with the team copping a first-ever Class A title. Now after a third straight 12-0 campaign and a second straight Class A crown, the Hawks are setting their sites on continuing their winning ways. A fourth straight title will be a difficult task but the expectations are high in the small eastern South Dakota town.
So, how dominant has Canistota been in the 9-man ranks?
The point differential both in-season and in the playoffs spells out the power of this squad. In the playoffs, they have a fashioned a three-year combined 658-to-28 points advantage, including 212-to-14 in the 2012 season. This squad has rolled to 66-0, 66-6 and 52-8 in 9-man championship games at the DakotaDome.
In fact, the team has allowed just two TDs in three title games with only the second quarter score by Warner in 2012 coming when Canistota's first unit was on the field. The Hawks had a 25-quarter shutout streak ended in 2011 when Wall scored a late TD.
In the three seasons, the Hawks have compiled 250 TDs (88, 77, 85) with 1,843 points (627, 2010; 620, 2011; 596, 2012) while allowing just 202 (38, 2010; 61, 2011; 103, 2012) for a 51.19 to 5.6 points edge. In 9A competition, they have won 19-of-24 games by 42 points or more.
This squad was so dominant that19 games ended early by mercy rule (SDHSAA rule) with 10 at halftime, six in the third quarter and three in the fourth quarter. Roughly that amounts to 29 quarters or seven games. If those games played out and Canistota held to its average points per game, that would mean an additional 358 points. In other words, that 1,843 points would become 2,201 points.
Canistota has accumulated 13,617 yards (7.8 miles) in total offense on 1,328 plays or 10.25 yards per play. Of that total, 10,328 have come through rushing yards, including a season-high of 3,644 in 2010. Overall, Canistota has 1,161 rushes or an average of 8.90 yards per carry.
The Hawks' quarterbacks have completed 157-of-268 passes for 3,289 yards, which breaks out to 12.27 yards per pass and 20.94 yards per completion.
On defense, this squad has recorded 55 sacks, including 30 this past season when Jason Van Winkle had 14. They also forced 89 turnovers, including 45 interceptions and 44 fumble recoveries. In 2012, they had 27 turnovers with 29 in 2011 and 33 in 2010. Canistota has recorded 19 shutouts, including eight in 2011, seven in 2010 and four this past season.
To get a handle on the year-by-year totals, check out the stats below.
Year-by-Year breakdown -
2010 - 627 points, 38 allowed. Avg. 52.3-to-3.17 ppg.
Playoff Scoring -- 250-to-8
Overall Scoring -- 88 TDs, 86 conversions, 3 safeties, 6 PATs
Rushing yards -- 384 att., 3644 yards, 303.7 average per game, 9.49 yards per carry
Passing yards -- 993 yards, 82.8 yards per game, 19 TDs, 3 interceptions
Key players -- Jed Olson, 157 att., 1,751 yards rushing, 39 total TDs) (35 by rush, 145.9 yards per game, 11.15 average per carry. 10 games over 100; two over 200 (234, 215) and 1,822 total yards. Recorded nine games with three TDs or more, including five or four TDs or more and one with six TDs. Olson recorded 63 tackles, 3 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries. Sam Jolley, 38-of-67 for 926 yards passing; 57 carries for 478 yards for seven TDs, including 140 yards rushing. Troy Hofer, 97 carries for 812 yards and 12 total TDs with 89 tackles, 4 TFLs and five sacks. Trevor Schroeder, 21 rec., 531 yards, 13 total TDs, 52 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 6 sacks; Nic Gorder, 64 tackles, 26 solos, 6 TFLs and five sacks.
Team Notes: Canistota outscored opponents, 250-to-8 in the playoffs, including a 66-0 win over Hitchcock-Tulare in the state title game (Class B). It was a season when they went over 50 points
nine times and three over 60. In the final five games of the season, they scored at least 50 points.
2011 - 620 points, 61 points allowed. Avg. 51.67-to-5.08 ppg.
Playoff Scoring -- 216-to-6
Overall Scoring -- 77 TDs, 78 conversions, 2 safeties, 5 PATs
Rushing yards -- 398 att., 3,539 yards, 294.9 average per game, 8.89 yards per carry
Passing yards -- 948 yards, 79.0 yards per game, 19 TDs, 2 interceptions
Key players -- Cody Bunger, 52-of-89 for 948 yards passing with 19 TDs and one interception; 82 carries for 1,192 yards, 16 TDs (37 total TDs); Alex Robertson, 144 carries for 1,022 yards and 16 TDs (12 by rush), 46 tackles, four interceptions; Nick Hofer, 25 carries for 297 yards and six TDs with two receptions for 75 yards and a TD; Jason Van Winkle, 98 tackles, 11 TFLs; Eric Tieszen, 124 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries.
Notes -- Except for a 34-26 win over Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan, Canistota outscored every team by at least 37 points. Hawks won 10-of-12 games by margin of 42 points or more. They scored 50 or more points six times, including defeating Wall, 66-6, as part of a 216-to-6 points advantage in the playoffs.
2012 - 596 points, 103 allowed. Avg. 49.7-to-8.58 ppg
Playoff Scoring -- 212-to-14.
Overall Scoring -- 85 TDs (58 by rush, 20 by pass), 82 conversions, 1 safety, 4 PATs
Rushing yards -- 379 att., 3,145 yards, 262.1average per game, 8.39 yards per carry
Passing yards -- 1,348 yards, 112.3 yards per game, 20 TDs, 4 interceptions
Key players -- Cody Bunger, 59-93, 1,267 passing yards, 19 TDs, 4 int.; 107-645-17 TDs rushing; 56 tackles, 7 interceptions; Alex Robertson, 125 carries for 1,144 yards, 9.15 avg., per carry and 19 TDs, 55 tackles, 2 sacks, three interceptions, fumble recovery; Nick Hofer, 35 att., 446 yards, (12.74 avg), 7 TDs, 25 rec., 557 yards, 7 TDs; Boone DeKramer, 16 rec., 302 yards, 7 TDs, 108 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, interception; Jason Van Winkle, 119 tackles, 14 sacks; Eric Tieszen, 90 att., 797 yards, 13 TDs; 108 tackles, 5 TFLs, two interceptions.
Notes -- Canistota recorded nine wins with at least 50 points scored (three over 60), including a three-year high of 74 points in a win over Marion on 10/12/12. The Hawks, which recorded four shutouts, ended the season with six straight games of 50 points or better, including a 52-8 win over unbeaten Warner in the Class A title game.
So, do they keep it going?
Canistota needs 10 wins to tie Freeman's record and 11 for the all-time mark. With the heavy graduation losses, Schroeder and his team faces a major challenge.
Still, this is a team that has adjusted in previous campaign. It is a team with plenty of young talent, including a few brothers of past stars on Canistota. The squad will be led by Nick Hofer, who had seven receptions for 195 yards in the 2012 title game. Hofer has accumulated 70 carries for 885 yards and 16 TDs and 27 receptions for 632 yards and eight TDs over three seasons. As such, he has accounted for 1,517 yards and 24 TDs and will be counted on heavily. Shay Jolley will be the likely quarterback, with the Hawks hoping he has follow his brother Sam's talents behind center. Others taking on leading roles will be Jerad Nielsen (7 att., 74 yards, 2 TDs, 8 tackles), Carson Hofer (10 tackles, 24 yards rushing) and Colton Gorder (10 tackles).
Can they win another 9A title? Until, they are beaten, this team will believe it can keep winning championships. Led by Schroeder, one of the state's top coaches, who knows? Don't count them out.
The point differential both in-season and in the playoffs spells out the power of this squad. In the playoffs, they have a fashioned a three-year combined 658-to-28 points advantage, including 212-to-14 in the 2012 season. This squad has rolled to 66-0, 66-6 and 52-8 in 9-man championship games at the DakotaDome.
In fact, the team has allowed just two TDs in three title games with only the second quarter score by Warner in 2012 coming when Canistota's first unit was on the field. The Hawks had a 25-quarter shutout streak ended in 2011 when Wall scored a late TD.
In the three seasons, the Hawks have compiled 250 TDs (88, 77, 85) with 1,843 points (627, 2010; 620, 2011; 596, 2012) while allowing just 202 (38, 2010; 61, 2011; 103, 2012) for a 51.19 to 5.6 points edge. In 9A competition, they have won 19-of-24 games by 42 points or more.
This squad was so dominant that19 games ended early by mercy rule (SDHSAA rule) with 10 at halftime, six in the third quarter and three in the fourth quarter. Roughly that amounts to 29 quarters or seven games. If those games played out and Canistota held to its average points per game, that would mean an additional 358 points. In other words, that 1,843 points would become 2,201 points.
Canistota has accumulated 13,617 yards (7.8 miles) in total offense on 1,328 plays or 10.25 yards per play. Of that total, 10,328 have come through rushing yards, including a season-high of 3,644 in 2010. Overall, Canistota has 1,161 rushes or an average of 8.90 yards per carry.
The Hawks' quarterbacks have completed 157-of-268 passes for 3,289 yards, which breaks out to 12.27 yards per pass and 20.94 yards per completion.
On defense, this squad has recorded 55 sacks, including 30 this past season when Jason Van Winkle had 14. They also forced 89 turnovers, including 45 interceptions and 44 fumble recoveries. In 2012, they had 27 turnovers with 29 in 2011 and 33 in 2010. Canistota has recorded 19 shutouts, including eight in 2011, seven in 2010 and four this past season.
To get a handle on the year-by-year totals, check out the stats below.
Year-by-Year breakdown -
2010 - 627 points, 38 allowed. Avg. 52.3-to-3.17 ppg.
Playoff Scoring -- 250-to-8
Overall Scoring -- 88 TDs, 86 conversions, 3 safeties, 6 PATs
Rushing yards -- 384 att., 3644 yards, 303.7 average per game, 9.49 yards per carry
Passing yards -- 993 yards, 82.8 yards per game, 19 TDs, 3 interceptions
Key players -- Jed Olson, 157 att., 1,751 yards rushing, 39 total TDs) (35 by rush, 145.9 yards per game, 11.15 average per carry. 10 games over 100; two over 200 (234, 215) and 1,822 total yards. Recorded nine games with three TDs or more, including five or four TDs or more and one with six TDs. Olson recorded 63 tackles, 3 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries. Sam Jolley, 38-of-67 for 926 yards passing; 57 carries for 478 yards for seven TDs, including 140 yards rushing. Troy Hofer, 97 carries for 812 yards and 12 total TDs with 89 tackles, 4 TFLs and five sacks. Trevor Schroeder, 21 rec., 531 yards, 13 total TDs, 52 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 6 sacks; Nic Gorder, 64 tackles, 26 solos, 6 TFLs and five sacks.
Team Notes: Canistota outscored opponents, 250-to-8 in the playoffs, including a 66-0 win over Hitchcock-Tulare in the state title game (Class B). It was a season when they went over 50 points
nine times and three over 60. In the final five games of the season, they scored at least 50 points.
2011 - 620 points, 61 points allowed. Avg. 51.67-to-5.08 ppg.
Playoff Scoring -- 216-to-6
Overall Scoring -- 77 TDs, 78 conversions, 2 safeties, 5 PATs
Rushing yards -- 398 att., 3,539 yards, 294.9 average per game, 8.89 yards per carry
Passing yards -- 948 yards, 79.0 yards per game, 19 TDs, 2 interceptions
Key players -- Cody Bunger, 52-of-89 for 948 yards passing with 19 TDs and one interception; 82 carries for 1,192 yards, 16 TDs (37 total TDs); Alex Robertson, 144 carries for 1,022 yards and 16 TDs (12 by rush), 46 tackles, four interceptions; Nick Hofer, 25 carries for 297 yards and six TDs with two receptions for 75 yards and a TD; Jason Van Winkle, 98 tackles, 11 TFLs; Eric Tieszen, 124 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries.
Notes -- Except for a 34-26 win over Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan, Canistota outscored every team by at least 37 points. Hawks won 10-of-12 games by margin of 42 points or more. They scored 50 or more points six times, including defeating Wall, 66-6, as part of a 216-to-6 points advantage in the playoffs.
2012 - 596 points, 103 allowed. Avg. 49.7-to-8.58 ppg
Playoff Scoring -- 212-to-14.
Overall Scoring -- 85 TDs (58 by rush, 20 by pass), 82 conversions, 1 safety, 4 PATs
Rushing yards -- 379 att., 3,145 yards, 262.1average per game, 8.39 yards per carry
Passing yards -- 1,348 yards, 112.3 yards per game, 20 TDs, 4 interceptions
Key players -- Cody Bunger, 59-93, 1,267 passing yards, 19 TDs, 4 int.; 107-645-17 TDs rushing; 56 tackles, 7 interceptions; Alex Robertson, 125 carries for 1,144 yards, 9.15 avg., per carry and 19 TDs, 55 tackles, 2 sacks, three interceptions, fumble recovery; Nick Hofer, 35 att., 446 yards, (12.74 avg), 7 TDs, 25 rec., 557 yards, 7 TDs; Boone DeKramer, 16 rec., 302 yards, 7 TDs, 108 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, interception; Jason Van Winkle, 119 tackles, 14 sacks; Eric Tieszen, 90 att., 797 yards, 13 TDs; 108 tackles, 5 TFLs, two interceptions.
Notes -- Canistota recorded nine wins with at least 50 points scored (three over 60), including a three-year high of 74 points in a win over Marion on 10/12/12. The Hawks, which recorded four shutouts, ended the season with six straight games of 50 points or better, including a 52-8 win over unbeaten Warner in the Class A title game.
So, do they keep it going?
Canistota needs 10 wins to tie Freeman's record and 11 for the all-time mark. With the heavy graduation losses, Schroeder and his team faces a major challenge.
Still, this is a team that has adjusted in previous campaign. It is a team with plenty of young talent, including a few brothers of past stars on Canistota. The squad will be led by Nick Hofer, who had seven receptions for 195 yards in the 2012 title game. Hofer has accumulated 70 carries for 885 yards and 16 TDs and 27 receptions for 632 yards and eight TDs over three seasons. As such, he has accounted for 1,517 yards and 24 TDs and will be counted on heavily. Shay Jolley will be the likely quarterback, with the Hawks hoping he has follow his brother Sam's talents behind center. Others taking on leading roles will be Jerad Nielsen (7 att., 74 yards, 2 TDs, 8 tackles), Carson Hofer (10 tackles, 24 yards rushing) and Colton Gorder (10 tackles).
Can they win another 9A title? Until, they are beaten, this team will believe it can keep winning championships. Led by Schroeder, one of the state's top coaches, who knows? Don't count them out.
Comments
Post a Comment