By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
The only all-area matchup of the week nine playoff slate will see the Rock Creek Mustangs (5-3) at home, playing host to the Chapman Fighting Irish (3-5).
The winner of this game will advance to the second round of the 3A bracket to take on either Wichita Collegiate (7-1) or Concordia (2-6).
This will be the sixth all-time meeting between the two schools, with the Mustangs holding both the most recent win (14-0 in 2019) and the series edge (5-1).
Both teams will enter this contest battle-tested, as Rock Creek has gone toe to toe with Southeast of Saline (8-0), Silver Lake (7-1), and Clay Center (7-1), while Chapman has tussled with Clay, Collegiate, and Abilene (6-2).
“We played a stretch of three really good teams and we competed with all three early,” Irish head coach Kurt Webster said. “Those games let you know that you can play with the best teams in the state, we just have to play clean and with confidence. Those games made us stronger and built us into what we are now.”
Perhaps the most interesting feature of this matchup is the drastic contrast in philosophy, with the Irish ranking 8th in rushing offense (242 yds/g), and the Mustangs ranking 6th in passing offense (195 yds/g).
For Rock Creek, much of that passing success has come as a byproduct of solid depth, and selfless football, with four different receivers racking up between 220-440 yards on the year.
“We don’t have one guy that we’re going to throw to for 1,000 yards but we’ve got a lot of good athletes in our passing game and Drew Becker has come along in the running game,” Mustang head coach Shane Sieben said. “Having different guys that can beat you allows us to find the matchups we like.”
While the Mustangs want to attack through the air, something that could become more challenging in frigid conditions tonight, Chapman will seek to grind out long, steady drives to keep that potent Rock Creek offense on the sideline.
“Time of possession will be crucial,” Webster said. “We’ve eaten whole quarters of clock in the past and that’s the best way to keep their athletes from making plays. What we do isn’t a secret, but the ability to control the tempo of the game is extremely important to us.”
Getting off the field on third and short will be a huge key for the Mustangs this evening, but Rock Creek is well aware that stopping an offense like this is easier said than done.
“Chapman’s physicality stands out right away,” Sieben said. “This is the fifth time we’ve seen a flexbone option team and the most important thing for us is knowing our keys and staying assignment sound. There isn’t one guy that you can shut down and we’ll have our work cut out for us.”
Kickoff between the Mustangs and Irish is set for 7:00 at “The Rock” in St. George, and as our Salina Post Game of the Week, can be streamed for free with live audio and video HERE.