“…We are really focusing on getting better every week. We want to be the best in November.” – coach Rodney Wedig
Homecoming game marks 41 consecutive wins
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
All season long, Big Foot head football coach Rodney Wedig has talked about his team being focused on a bigger goal down the road.
Through the first six games, that focus has never wavered – and the Chiefs have continued to roll through the competition.
Big Foot kept up its incredible scoring pace Friday night with 45 first-half points in an easy 65-22 Homecoming victory over visiting Clinton.
The victory improved the Chiefs to 5-0 in the Rock Valley Conference and 6-0 overall. Big Foot, ranked fourth in Division 3, now has won 41 straight RVC games and will clinch its sixth consecutive league title with a win this week at Whitewater.
Wedig said his team put together a solid week of preparation prior to the Clinton contest.
“We knew Clinton was a much-improved team, so we really had to play assignment football against their option,” he said. “But, as I have said before, this year we are really focusing getting better every week. We want to be the best in November.”
With the 45 first-quarter points, the Chiefs now have outscored their opponents 126-0 in the opening period. Big Foot holds a lopsided 212-7 scoring edge in the first half.
Solid efforts on both sides of the ball have led the way, Wedig said.
“I think our defense is maybe better than we originally thought, and our offense has done an exceptional job of executing the game plan,” he said. “When we don’t make mistakes, we haven’t been stopped yet.”
Senior running back Mason Dixon continued his big 2012 campaign with five more touchdowns last week to bring his total to 21 in six games.
Dixon scored on first-half runs of 7, 45, 28, 1 and 6 yards. Senior quarterback Carter Hehr added a 21-yard touchdown run, while junior kicker Ian Gallagher connected on a 40-yard field goal in the second quarter.
While Dixon has gashed opponents to the tune of 1,001 yards so far this season, he hasn’t done it alone, Wedig said, as the boys up front have been solid as well.
“Our offensive line has really come together nicely,” Wedig said. “With Garett Cary and Collin Frederick, we have two outstanding tackles, but Garrett Jeters has been very impressive this year, and Austin Snudden and Will Utesch have been very solid.
“Plus, when Mason has the ball, it is shocking if one person brings him down.”
Big Foot’s aerial attack got into the act in the third quarter, as Hehr connected on a 10-yard pass to Matt Ripkey. The Chiefs put their last touchdown on the scoreboard later in the period on a 12-yard pass from sophomore Brett Morris to sophomore Chandler Hehr.
Clinton scored three second-half touchdowns to get on the scoreboard.
For the game, the Chiefs had 20 first downs, 294 yards on 43 carries and 64 yards passing. Clinton finished with six first downs, 118 yards rushing on 27 carries and 123 yards passing.
Dixon led the way with 134 yards rushing on 13 carries, followed by Hehr with 96 on 10 carries. Ripkey had three receptions for 51 yards.
Gallagher continued his perfect season as a place kicker, as he now has made all 38 attempts. He also is averaging more than 40 yards a punt and has landed every kickoff inside the 5-yard line, Wedig said.
“This is often over-looked, the importance of field position,” he said. “If we force a team to go three and out, we are often near midfield to start a drive.
“That is really the hidden part of our big numbers on offense the past two years. When you are in the opponent’s end of the field, it is four-down territory, and you can just grind out touchdowns.”
Whippets up next
Big Foot looks to put the finishing touches on its sixth straight RVC title this week with a 7 p.m. contest Friday night at Whitewater. The Whippets fell to 3-3 overall and 2-3 in the RVC with a 47-7 loss last week McFarland.
Wedig said his team needs to win the battle up front, and he’s confident the Chiefs can do just that.
“They are a good power-running team,” he said. “Our key is to be really tough up front and not let them get to our linebackers.
“Snudden and Stafford Perry have done a great job this year in the middle not letting blockers get to Gus (Wedig), which has led to him averaging over 10 tackles a game. So, we need to win the battle in the trenches, and I like our young men in the trenches.”
