GAME OF THE WEEK: Another E/E battle with H-BC tonight

HILLS — Last year, the Edgerton/Ellsworth Flying Dutchmen football team got the better of the Hills-Beaver Creek Patriots twice, once in the regular season and a second time in the playoffs.

But that was last year.

Tonight’s 7 p.m. game in Hills is a whole new ballgame.

“This is a totally new year and we have to wipe the slate clean,” Flying Dutchmen coach Andrew Fleischman said. “We always have to be ready for them. We have to play our best game to come out with a win.”

The two teams met late in the season last year with both squads ranked in the top 10 in the state. The implications of winning the game were huge for both teams and meant much more than just bragging rights.

“It was a good game both times we played last year,” Patriots coach Rex Metzger said. “We were both at the top of the conference right up to the end. And we’ll treat this game like we do every other game.”

This year’s Week 2 matchup will be a good indication of where each team stands going forward this season.

“I hope to tell a lot about us after this game,” Metzger said. “We are going to use this game to get better and see how we can do against a really good team like Edgerton/Ellsworth.”

With both teams picking up blow out wins last week, neither squad has really been tested so far this season.

“We aren’t really battle tested yet,” Fleischman said. “Last week is last week. We can not play in the rear view mirror.”

Even though this game doesn’t hold as much weight as the Week 6 battle from last season, both teams know they have to come prepared if they want to come out of the game 2-0.

“If we want to win we have to play a perfect game on both sides of the ball,” Metzger said. “We have to stay away from mistakes. They have big play ability, so we have to make sure we don’t allow them to make those big plays.”

For the Dutchmen, containing the Patriots dangerous run game, as well as executing well on both sides of the ball are important to come out on top in tonight’s game.

“We have to execute well on the offensive side as well as be aggressive on defense,” Fleischman said. “We have to make sure to contain their running back [Dalton] Bass. We had a heck of a time stopping him last season. Mostly, we just have to do the little things right.”

With this year’s matchup coming early in the season, a loss in this game will not make or break either team. But that doesn’t make the game any less meaningful to both squads.

“This game will set the tone for the rest of the season,” Metzger said. “If we lose, we know where we need to improve going forward. If we win, we move on to the next game with more confidence.”

The Dutchmen travel to Hills tonight to take on the Patriots at 7 p.m.

Daily Globe Reporter Jordan Willi

may be reached at 376-7335.

Tags: hills beaver creek, sports, prep, football, edgerton, ellsworth