Posted by (+6122) 12 years ago
Here's Dillon's season-to-date info. I've included the game-by-game stats for their quarterback, J.T. Linder.
vs. Livingston - W, 50-0 (11-16-206-4-1)
at Laurel - W, 28-12 (12-20-189-2-1)
vs. Columbia Falls - W, 28-0 (2-4-21-0-0 - Linder was injured and replaced by Ben Folsom, who passed for 6-14-141-0-1 and rushed for 13-85-2)
at Hamilton - W, 38-17 (Folsom: 14-24-257-3-0, 10-89-1 rushing)
at Corvallis - W, 53-6 (Linder: 24-32-283-5-0)
vs. Anaconda - W, 45-6 (6-9-111-2-0)
at Frenchtown - W, 47-0 (19-30-262-4-2)
vs. Stevensville - W, 47-0 (9-15-104-0-1)
vs. Belgrade - W, 49-26 (11-22-186-0-0, 20-95-5 rushing)
Overall record: 9-0 (5-0 conference)
Points scored: 385 (42.8 ppg)
Points allowed: 67 (7.4 ppg)
Rushing offense: 291-1703-32 (189.2 ypg)
Passing offense: 121-197-1897-21-6 (210.8 ypg)
Total offense: 488-3600-53 (400.0 ypg)
Unfortunately, I don't have cumulative defensive stats for Dillon.
Linder's stats: 94-148-1361-17-5 passing, 68-286-8 rushing
Leading rushers: Kyle Cox (74-490-7), Garrett Altenburg (65-404-6), Linder (68-286-8), Ben Folsom (45-225-6). Cox's best game was against Anaconda, when he rushed for 9-130-2. Altenburg's best, a 16-101-1 effort, came against Frenchtown. Linder, who is definitely a pass-first quarterback, rushed for 20-95-5 last week against Belgrade. The bulk of Folsom's rushing yards coincided with his time filling in behind center. He did not play last week.
Leading receivers: Hunter Johnson (29-535-8), Wes Knox (18-326-1), Folsom (25-276-4), Austin Williams (12-338-2). Johnson's best game was against Frenchtown, when he caught seven passes for 152 yards and four scores from Linder. Williams, who missed three games before coming back in time for the Belgrade game, averages only two receptions per contest, but 28.2 yards per catch (including an 83-yarder against Laurel).
Dillon, which has been known for its passing game, has been very balanced on offense this season. Somewhat surprisingly, of the four semifinal teams, the Beavers have the second-most prolific rushing attack (behind Miles City). It should be noted that 12 of Dillon's scores on the ground have come in the last two games, including 7 against Belgrade. Linder actually hasn't passed for a score over the last two games, but has thrown for at least 4 scores in three separate games.
While Miles City has the best record among Class A teams since 1980 (219-77, .740 win percentage), Dillon has had the most success over the last decade. Since 2000, when the Beavers won their first championship under coach Terry Thomas, Dillon is 96-16 (.857) with four titles (2000, 2003, 2005, 2006). With the exception of 2006, the Beavers' road to their championships went through the Cowboys. Here's the history:
2000 quarterfinals (A) - Dillon 17, Miles City 14 (Justin Venn rushed for 150 yards and a pair of scores, but the Cowboys had too many turnovers to overcome).
2003 championship (A) - Dillon 19, Miles City 15 (Both teams entered the contest with identical undefeated records and different styles. The Beavers' passing game trumped the Cowboys' rushing attack in a controversial contest. This was Ed Rohloff's last game as CCDHS head coach).
2005 quarterfinals (H) - Dillon 24, Miles City 21 (Triple overtime; missed opportunities on offense spoiled an outstanding defensive effort against the high-powered Dillon offense. Miles City held Zach McRae to his worst passing game (6-15-55-1-1) of the season, but the Cowboys offense became too one-dimensional at the end of the contest).
The teams also met in 1995, with the Cowboys coming out on the good side of a 41-6 thumping at Denton Field. In my haste to post tidbits after the Columbia Falls game, I stated incorrectly that the Cowboys have only had two players both rush for 100 or more yards in a playoff games two times. This has actually happened three times - this game marked the first. Jase Wagner rushed for 9-126-1 and Joe Baker added 17-122-1.
As I've stated before, Dillon makes me a bit nervous. They have a well-balanced team and they excel on both sides of the ball. That having been said, I believe the Cowboys have a number of factors in their favor:
1.) The game is at Denton Field. No need to gild the lily with an explanation.
2.) I think the Cowboys have played a tougher schedule. Miles City has played against some weak teams (Glendive, Hardin), but Dillon has faced some absolute cupcakes (Livingston, Corvallis and Anaconda). The regular season win percentage of Dillon's opponents this season is .400. Miles City's is .553.
3.) CCDHS has a size advantage and have a history of shutting down high-powered teams, especially in the playoffs. I've got to think the Cowboys 'D' will continue to swarm to the ball and put a hurt on the ballcarrier. Dampening the Beavers' enthusiasm will be key.
4.) I'll admit I can't quantify this, but I think the Cowboys are due for a win against Dillon. None of the players on the current CCDHS roster played in 2005, but I can't help but feel that they are aware of how disappointing that loss was. I hope it gives them a few extra foot-pounds of force on Saturday.
Whichever way the game goes, I think it'll be close. Very close. My prediction: 20-17, Cowboys.
vs. Livingston - W, 50-0 (11-16-206-4-1)
at Laurel - W, 28-12 (12-20-189-2-1)
vs. Columbia Falls - W, 28-0 (2-4-21-0-0 - Linder was injured and replaced by Ben Folsom, who passed for 6-14-141-0-1 and rushed for 13-85-2)
at Hamilton - W, 38-17 (Folsom: 14-24-257-3-0, 10-89-1 rushing)
at Corvallis - W, 53-6 (Linder: 24-32-283-5-0)
vs. Anaconda - W, 45-6 (6-9-111-2-0)
at Frenchtown - W, 47-0 (19-30-262-4-2)
vs. Stevensville - W, 47-0 (9-15-104-0-1)
vs. Belgrade - W, 49-26 (11-22-186-0-0, 20-95-5 rushing)
Overall record: 9-0 (5-0 conference)
Points scored: 385 (42.8 ppg)
Points allowed: 67 (7.4 ppg)
Rushing offense: 291-1703-32 (189.2 ypg)
Passing offense: 121-197-1897-21-6 (210.8 ypg)
Total offense: 488-3600-53 (400.0 ypg)
Unfortunately, I don't have cumulative defensive stats for Dillon.
Linder's stats: 94-148-1361-17-5 passing, 68-286-8 rushing
Leading rushers: Kyle Cox (74-490-7), Garrett Altenburg (65-404-6), Linder (68-286-8), Ben Folsom (45-225-6). Cox's best game was against Anaconda, when he rushed for 9-130-2. Altenburg's best, a 16-101-1 effort, came against Frenchtown. Linder, who is definitely a pass-first quarterback, rushed for 20-95-5 last week against Belgrade. The bulk of Folsom's rushing yards coincided with his time filling in behind center. He did not play last week.
Leading receivers: Hunter Johnson (29-535-8), Wes Knox (18-326-1), Folsom (25-276-4), Austin Williams (12-338-2). Johnson's best game was against Frenchtown, when he caught seven passes for 152 yards and four scores from Linder. Williams, who missed three games before coming back in time for the Belgrade game, averages only two receptions per contest, but 28.2 yards per catch (including an 83-yarder against Laurel).
Dillon, which has been known for its passing game, has been very balanced on offense this season. Somewhat surprisingly, of the four semifinal teams, the Beavers have the second-most prolific rushing attack (behind Miles City). It should be noted that 12 of Dillon's scores on the ground have come in the last two games, including 7 against Belgrade. Linder actually hasn't passed for a score over the last two games, but has thrown for at least 4 scores in three separate games.
While Miles City has the best record among Class A teams since 1980 (219-77, .740 win percentage), Dillon has had the most success over the last decade. Since 2000, when the Beavers won their first championship under coach Terry Thomas, Dillon is 96-16 (.857) with four titles (2000, 2003, 2005, 2006). With the exception of 2006, the Beavers' road to their championships went through the Cowboys. Here's the history:
2000 quarterfinals (A) - Dillon 17, Miles City 14 (Justin Venn rushed for 150 yards and a pair of scores, but the Cowboys had too many turnovers to overcome).
2003 championship (A) - Dillon 19, Miles City 15 (Both teams entered the contest with identical undefeated records and different styles. The Beavers' passing game trumped the Cowboys' rushing attack in a controversial contest. This was Ed Rohloff's last game as CCDHS head coach).
2005 quarterfinals (H) - Dillon 24, Miles City 21 (Triple overtime; missed opportunities on offense spoiled an outstanding defensive effort against the high-powered Dillon offense. Miles City held Zach McRae to his worst passing game (6-15-55-1-1) of the season, but the Cowboys offense became too one-dimensional at the end of the contest).
The teams also met in 1995, with the Cowboys coming out on the good side of a 41-6 thumping at Denton Field. In my haste to post tidbits after the Columbia Falls game, I stated incorrectly that the Cowboys have only had two players both rush for 100 or more yards in a playoff games two times. This has actually happened three times - this game marked the first. Jase Wagner rushed for 9-126-1 and Joe Baker added 17-122-1.
As I've stated before, Dillon makes me a bit nervous. They have a well-balanced team and they excel on both sides of the ball. That having been said, I believe the Cowboys have a number of factors in their favor:
1.) The game is at Denton Field. No need to gild the lily with an explanation.
2.) I think the Cowboys have played a tougher schedule. Miles City has played against some weak teams (Glendive, Hardin), but Dillon has faced some absolute cupcakes (Livingston, Corvallis and Anaconda). The regular season win percentage of Dillon's opponents this season is .400. Miles City's is .553.
3.) CCDHS has a size advantage and have a history of shutting down high-powered teams, especially in the playoffs. I've got to think the Cowboys 'D' will continue to swarm to the ball and put a hurt on the ballcarrier. Dampening the Beavers' enthusiasm will be key.
4.) I'll admit I can't quantify this, but I think the Cowboys are due for a win against Dillon. None of the players on the current CCDHS roster played in 2005, but I can't help but feel that they are aware of how disappointing that loss was. I hope it gives them a few extra foot-pounds of force on Saturday.
Whichever way the game goes, I think it'll be close. Very close. My prediction: 20-17, Cowboys.