The Dove Creek Bulldogs (8-2) will face off against a familiar opponent in the Norwood Mavericks (9-1) in their second round playoff game on Saturday.
The Bulldogs fell to the Mavericks 41-12 in their season-opener, but the game was more even than the score indicated, which has Dove Creek optimistic about its chances come Saturday.
“Last time we played them we had 17 first downs to their five,” said head coach Shane Baughman. “They’re (a) big play (team), so that’s what we’re working on now is to eliminate that deep ball. We’re going to try and make them have a seven, eight, nine or 10-play drive.”
Baughman said the team’s other focuses are on matching Norwood’s physicality and winning the turnover battle.
In their first matchup with Norwood, Dove Creek threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles, while Norwood has thrown just two interceptions and lost five fumbles on the entire season.
“We’ve got to clean up turnovers and we’ve got to create some turnovers,” Baughman said.
Offensively, the Bulldogs will give carries to Scott Gatlin and a healthy Case Baughman, but the primary focus may be to ride the hot hand of quarterback Jordan Ernst.
Over the last two games the senior is 27-of-33 passing, for 387 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. He’s also rushed for 357 yards and four scores over that span.
Baughman said that Ernst has grown more comfortable throughout the season, but he also credited receivers like Colin Hobbs and Ricky Adams for providing the quarterback with targets and securing catches.
The Bulldogs’ passing game has flourished in their previous few games, but with the team averaging over 250 yards rushing per game, Baughman expects to have a balanced attack on Saturday against the Mavericks.