BISMARCK — In the majority of Mark Dodd’s run as coach of the Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin football team, the Blue Devils has been favored.
Going into the Blue Devils’ game with Vermilion Valley Conference leader Momence, Dodd feels they are the underdog and is more than happy with that.
“We know we have a task at hand and we haven’t been the underdog in years and I think that is a good thing for us,” BHRA coach Mark Dodd said. “Our kids have a little bit of edge and we are excited to play this game. We have trust in our kids and we are excited about it.”
Statistically, both teams have great running and passing attacks, but Dodd is worried about a new wrinkle for the Redskins.
“They are pretty fast and athletic and what they have added this year is being big and physical up front. That is the main concern for us,” Dodd said. “I think we were exposed against Westville and Salt Fork (about physical play) and that is definitely a concern, but we have great athletes and we are excited about the challenge.”
BHRA (4-2 overall, 4-2 in VVC) is coming off of a 48-0 win over Watseka.
“We got a lot of big plays from the passing game,” Dodd said. “The receivers did a great job and Karson Stevenson passed for 350 yards in the first half. We just gave our playmakers some space and they made the most of it.”
Stevenson has passed for 1,245 yards with 15 touchdowns, while Ayden Ingram has caught 31 passes for 511 yards. On the ground, Enrique Rangel (371 yards) and Chaz Dubois (292) has helped the Blue Devils gain 1,174 yards on the ground.
The Redskins (6-0, 6-0) are coming off a 32-7 win over Salt Fork last week and beat Westville 34-14 earlier in the season.
Momence quarterback Erick Castillo has passed for 1,203 yards with 12 touchdowns so far this season with two 300-yard receivers in Eddie Ferreira (341) and Brogan Halpin (347). Marchello Draine has 500 yards and five touchdowns and Terence Autman had 312 yards and five scores as the Redskins has run for 1,133 yards.
“Hats off to them and their coaching staff and players. They beat Westville and Salt Fork in pretty dominating fashion,” Dodd said.
But unlike the Storm, the Blue Devils will be at home at Payton-Moss Stadium, where BHRA has scored at least 40 points in each of their three games there.
“That is a big advantage for us,” Dodd said. “We are undefeated at home and we feel that is a good thing for us playing on the new turf and the kids have played well.”
The game will start at 1 p.m. on Saturday and will be broadcast on WITY-AM 980 and WITY-FM 99.5.