The 2018 installment of the New London-Spicer Wildcats looks as dangerous as any Dan Essler-coached team since their last state tournament team in 2014. In order to duplicate that success, though, the Wildcats will need to do more than look dangerous.
Standing in New London-Spicer's way is Pierz, two-time defending state champions and owners of a 22-game win streak dating back to 2016. The Section 6AAA championship is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Friday at St. Cloud State University.
The Pioneers have looked unstoppable throughout that entire run, outscoring their opponents 354-83 this season alone. In that 22-game win streak is a 40-14 win over the Wildcats in last season's Section 6AAA championship and the Pioneers have only improved. Pierz scored five more points in 2018 and upped their total rushing yards from 1,574 in 2017 to 1,778 this season.
Not all is doom-and-gloom for the Wildcats, though. While the Pioneers have improved, the Wildcats look like a new team with another year of experience under their collective belts and the addition of running back Payton Madison, who has rushed for 1,025 yards and 13 touchdowns in his only year in black-and-gold.
New London-Spicer scored 342 points during the regular season, the most since 2013 when the Wildcats finished the season as the Class AAA runners-up and allowed just 109, the fewest points they've allowed all decade. That plus-233 regular season point differential has led to a 9-1 record, with all nine wins coming in a row. Their dominance has been appreciated statewide, too, earning a No. 5 ranking based on QRF by Minnesota-Scores.net, one spot ahead of the Pioneers.
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The first quarter is always an integral part of a game for obvious reasons but it may carry extra meaning Friday. During the regular season, the Wildcats outscored their opponents 101-6 in the opening quarter and the Pioneers held a hefty 100-14 advantage.
Both offenses are highlighted by a number of weapons, but it's the defenses that will likely decide the fate of Section 6AAA. Pierz allowed just 280 yards on the ground during the regular season but they'll have their hands full with Madison's bruising rushing attack and the return of Sam Stageberg from injury could change the game with breakneck speed.
Teams ran on New London-Spicer at various points this season but the Wildcats shut down Albany's potent rushing attack in Saturday's match with strong defensive line play. That unit will have its hands full with the likes of Reese Kapsner and Alex Gross. Kapsner is the lead back yet again and ran for 1,120 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2017.
It's a tall task, but Brandon Zylstra could get some Wildcat company at U.S. Bank Stadium if NLS can stop the Pierz machine.
