PREP FOOTBALL: Not many changes in LHS, JCC

MARSHALL — It has been eight weeks since the Luverne Cardinals and Jackson County Central Huskies last met on the football field, but little about the teams has changed.

“Both teams will have changed a little, but neither of us is going to get away from what we do well,” LHS coach Todd Oye said. “We know each other well since we have played each other many times over the years. We always have good games with JCC.”

Despite winning the first meeting between the teams

28-14, Oye and the Cardinals know they can not allow his players to underestimate the Huskies when they meet today in the Section 3AA football championship game in Marshall.

“They are going to run everything they have at us,” Oye said. “JCC has a lot of talent all over the field. They have a very talented offense that can run the ball and pass the ball well.”

Luverne amassed 367 total yards in its Sept. 14 matchup against JCC, while the Huskies were able to put up 324 total yards of their own. In today’s rematch, neither team can afford to give up the same amount of yardage if they want to come out on top.

“It is tough to stop their offense,” Oye said. “They can pick and chose what they think is best. But they will use a mix of passing and rushing. In the end, we just have to have all 11 guys on the field on the same page because one little mistake could be six points for them.”

On offense, the Cardinals will look to stay true to what they do best no matter what the Huskies’ defense throws their way.

“They do a good job on the defensive end of things too, but we will stick to our game plan,” Oye said. “They like to switch things up and force you to pay attention to where everyone is. They will try their hardest to catch you off guard with all the different looks they can send at you.”

One thing that could make or break either team is whether or not they are able to execute on a high level throughout the game.

“Execution will be key for us,” Oye said. “We’ve had games with JCC that have been defensive battles and, then, we have had playoff games where both sides score a ton. So it really could go either way.”

Kickoff for tonight’s Section 3AA championship game is 7:30 p.m. at Mattke Field on the campus of Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall.

Also in action today are the Edgerton/Ellsworth Flying Dutchmen who will face off against Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley in the Section 3

9-man championship game at noon at SMSU, while the Adrian Dragons take on St. Clair in the Section 3A championship at 2:30 p.m., also at SMSU.

The Mountain Lake Area Wolverines face Nicollet today in Nicollet for the Section 2

9-man championship at 7 p.m.

Daily Globe Reporter Jordan Willi

may be reached at 376-7335.

Tags: jackson county central, sports, prep, luverne, football