Here They Go Again

Glasgow-Conrad, the sequel, brings more, more, more to you than did the first MaxPreps Top 10 clash two weeks ago between the Scotties and Cowboys.

More is at stake.

The winner in Saturday's 1 p.m. state quarterfinal game at Scottie Field advances in the Class B Championship Series. The loser calls it year.

More intensity is expected.

Conrad wants revenge. Glasgow wants to prove it's the better team again. The foes battled closely for three quarters in the regular season finale before GHS erupted to pull away in the fourth.

More key players are available.

TE/DE double threat Keil Krumwiede and OL/DL Andrew Fransen returned from injuries as forces in Glasgow's thorough 54-7 playoff romp last week over Eureka. Standout RB/DB Blake Underdahl also returned in Conrad's playoff win over Loyola Sacred Heart, but he was still recovering from an ankle sprain. He ran five times for 23 yards.

So here we go. It's MaxPreps' No. 1 Glasgow (10-0) vs. No. 7 Conrad (7-2). The survivor goes to the semis to face the winner of the game between 1-5B Broadwater and 2-3B Baker. And if Glasgow wins, it's another home game the following week for fully charged Scottie Nation.

"Now it's a grudge match," Scottie coach Greg Liebelt told The Courier about this Saturday's Conrad game. "They probably feels like they should have beaten us. Now, it's for real."

This 2014 rivalry even extends a bit off the field, too.

There's an issue regarding the visibility – or lack thereof – of the numbers on Conrad's away jerseys, which GHS has complained about to the MHSA. The numbers are silver or light gray, outlined with thin narrow red stripes on a white jersey, and are difficult to read from the stands, press box or across the field.

Liebelt said Monday that he awaits a response from MHSA, and the outcome could determine which team wears dark or light jerseys Saturday. He said the numbers on Conrad's dark jerseys are legible.

On the turf, meanwhile, the Big Dawg D knows what it must do: contain talented Cowboy QB Shane Larson. In last week's 14-10 playoff win over defending Class B champion Loyola, Larson ran 42 times for 156 yards to help offset recovering Underdahl's limited backfield production. Larson also passed 13 times, completing 8 for 43 yards.

But Larson can throw – and do it well. Against Glasgow the first time around, he completed 13 of 20 passes for 181 yards. One was a 37-yard TD to WR/DB Daylon Jay, who made his presence known all over Scottie Field and gained 63 yards on 6 catches.

Glasgow's bend-but-break defensive unit held Eureka (3-7) to 7 points, shutting down the Lions much as they did their division opponents this year. The defense was reinforced with all-round athlete Krumwiede and Fransen, whose return included a sack, a solo tackle, two assisted tackles and a special teams fumble recovery.

"Fransen was a bright spot on defense (before his concussion several weeks ago), and now he's back," Liebelt said.

On offense, Glasgow's answer to versatile Conrad QB Larson is, of course, versatile QB Jason Thibault. The Scottie star threw sweet spirals all game that punctured the Lions, completing 13 of 16 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for two TDs, one from 21 yards and the other from 15.

When Thibault is on like that, it makes the loaded Scotties' offense even better. Add Krumwiede to the receiving mix and watch out – even though he's wearing heavy padding to protect the left wrist that underwent surgery last summer.

Krumwiede caught three passes for 63 yards, one a 26-yard, over-the-shoulder TD snag in the end zone.

Not only are the coaches playing Krumwiede at his familiar TE position, they're playing him in the slot and keeping effective Jake Page or Zach Miller at TE, where they've had fine seasons. With the weapon known as 6-5, sure-handed WR Chase Fossum also on the field, opposing defenses better have a darn good game plan.

"By moving him (Krumwiede) outside, defenses must consider additional coverage outside," Liebelt said. "That's the double jeopardy that he brings to our team."

Fossum enjoyed another big game against Eureka, catching five passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. His scores came on Thibault throws of 30 and 23 yards.

The ground attack also excelled behind Glasgow's offensive line, which Liebelt calls a "tremendous bright spot" with its ability to protect Thibault and open running holes.

Benji Phillips gained 69 yards on seven carries with a 31-yard TD rumble through Lions defenders. Parker Kulczyk ran four times for 65 yards, including a 65-yard TD dash. Kulczyk also blazed down the right sideline for an 85-yard kickoff return TD.

Eureka's lone touchdown was the game's last score, a 53-yard pass from Austin Sherwood to Brandon Conrad with 6:36 left in the third quarter.

Scottie Notes: Here's the MaxPreps Top 10 in Class B: No. 1 Glasgow 10-0, No. 2 Fairfield 9-0, No. 3 Huntley Project 10-0, No. 4 Bigfork 8-1, No. 5 Broadwater 8-1, No. 6 Jefferson 8-2, No. 7 Conrad 7-2, No. 8 Powell County 7-3, No. 9 Forsyth 6-3, No. 10 Baker 6-3.

• And let's not forget No. 11 Malta, which is 6-3, still alive and visiting Bigfork this weekend in the quarterfinals.

• Krumweide's return also affected Glasgow's kicking game. He and Cashe Younkin are alternating at kicking extra points, with Krumwiede probably handling longer field goal attempts. Krumweide also will punt, taking over for Dallas Capdeville. Liebelt praised Capdeville as a "great team player" and a "special" player who will do anything for the good of the team.