March 18, 2024

Chaos reigns in Class 3A District 6; Cardinals right in the thick of it

Pregame Outlook

Newton High’s Cardinals focus on what they can do for themselves this Friday. The Cardinals are right in the thick of a chaotic playoff picture in Iowa’s Class 3A District 6.

No matter what else happens, it starts with the Cardinals for Newton. The Cardinals travel to Nevada for the final regular-season football game and the final district contest. Newton (5-3) is coming off two tough losses at home. They look to take it out on Nevada’s Cubs, a 2-6 team, in their 7:30 contest.

The Cardinals have no choice. They have to beat the Cubs by 13 points or more to have the chance at a spot in the 3A playoffs.

“Our message for the kids this week — beat Nevada,” said Ed Ergenbright, Cardinal head coach. “It is the only thing we can control. If we don’t do that, nothing else matters. The kids have responded like they have all season. They came out ready to work and get better this week.”

Newton, Grinnell and Gilbert all sit at 3-2 in District 6 play. Newton has the win over Grinnell and Gilbert has wins over Newton and Grinnell. Ballard, which is 4-1 in district play, goes to Grinnell Friday, and Gilbert is at Benton (1-4).

If Ballard defeats Grinnell, the Bombers win the district title and Newton makes the playoffs as a No. 4 seed. A Newton win by a 13-point-plus margin solidifies that spot for the Cardinals. If Newton does not win, the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s 13-point differential tiebreaker decides the playoff spots.

Bondurant-Farrar has completed District 6 play, standing at 4-2, and is in the playoffs as is Ballard. The other two spots are on the line Friday night. If Grinnell beats Ballard by three points for more, Newton is out, win or lose.

A Grinnell win of two points and a Newton win by 13 points or more puts the two teams in a tie and Newton advances on the head-to-head tiebreaker. And the point-differential scenarios go on.

Nevada is 0-5 in district play, but the Cardinals are not taking the Cubs for granted.

“Nevada is not just going to give it to us. They have some good athletes on their team. Yes, they do have a running back with over 1,000 yards,” Ergenbright said. “Nevada runs a Wing-T offense, which we faced against Knoxville. We defended that really well and we have to do the same Friday night.”

The Cubs’ offense features senior running back Chase Dobson, who has 1,028 yards on 121 carries. He rushed for 171 yards on 23 carries in a loss last week against Ballard. Peyton Sharp has 339 yards rushing for the season. Traye Pelzer is Nevada’s senior quarterback, who is 17-of-39 for 343 yards passing this season.

“Defensively, we are working on getting back our confidence. The return of Brett Wolf at linebacker and Wes Streeter on the defensive line after injuries get us back to where we were before,” Ergenbright said. “On offense, we just need to sustain drives and score on the opportunities we have in the game. We’re working on what we do best.

“These kids will go out and battle Friday night. I have confidence in their efforts to get the job done.”