Cardinals to clash with Tigers in district showdown

Gilbert’s Tigers present a challenge for Newton High’s Cardinals in their third Class 3A District 6 game of the season. On Friday, the 10th-ranked Cardinals travel to Gilbert, which is ranked No. 9, for a 7:30 p.m. football game.

There is the size factor — Gilbert, a team that moved up to Class 3A from 2A this season, has bigger players up front than Newton. The Tigers’ senior quarterback and linebacker Jared Gescheidler comes at teams with a 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame.

“Gilbert is bigger than we are, but we believe we can use our athleticism and quickness to offset its size. We have to be active on defense,” said Newton head coach Ed Ergenbright.

Gescheidler helped lead the Tigers to an 8-4 record a year ago and to the 2A quarterfinals. Gescheidler is Gilbert’s leading rusher (46 carries for 470 yards), passer (30-of-65, 501 yards) and tackler (35 solos/19 assisted tackles).

“He (Gescheidler) suffered an injury in the fourth quarter of last week’s game against Ballard. The kid they brought in for him is pretty good also and led them to two fourth quarter touchdowns,” Ergenbright said. “We don’t know who will be playing for them this week, so we’re preparing for either one.”

Cole Drzycimski is a junior wide receiver, who is Gilbert’s backup quarterback. Drzycimski is a duel threat to run with the football and pass it. Sophomore Cody Dvorak rushed for 136 yards on 13 carries, scoring three touchdowns, in the Tigers’ 33-28 loss last Friday to Ballard.

Seniors Dax Hatfield and Wyatt Rhoads are Gilbert’s top receivers, averaging more then 16 yards a catch this season.

“It comes down to executing our game plan. We want to use our speed and athleticism to get to the perimeter to stretch them across the field. If we do that, then we can throw the ball and run it inside,” Ergenbright said. “Defensively, we have to keep our pad level down and tackle well. Gilbert runs the option and power running game. We don’t want this to turn into a smash-mouth game.”

Having a full complement of running backs to use in Friday’s game is a good thing for Newton. J.T. Thongvanh saw his first action of the season last week and Deonne Harris will be available, coming off a shoulder injury. The Cardinals have Joseph Banfield, Tristan Peters and Reese Rosenquist to use in the tailback and wing back spots as well.

Newton’s leading rusher is senior quarterback Tyler Wood, who presents a duel threat for the Tiger defense to figure out. Senior Nick Easley ranks in the top eight receivers in Class 3A, averring 19 yards a catch. Banfield has four catches on the season, averaging 28.5 yards a catch.

Wood’s go-to-guy is Easley, but he has worked all the Newton running backs into the passing game effectively this season. Ergenbright said all the running backs bring a different set of skills to the table for the Cardinals “and we want to utilize that versatility.”

“Last week, we had some timing issues on offense with changing personnel. We’ve worked on that this week in practices. The kids have been focused on Gilbert — watching film and recognizing the challenges we face against probably the most athletic team we’ve faced to date,” Ergenbright said.

“We just have to practice hard, go there and play our style of football.”

Contact Sports Editor Jocelyn Sheets at (641) 792-3121 Ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com.