By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
They say revenge is a dish best served cold.
And it's a good thing too, because if Dowagiac wants to get some revenge on Paw Paw for last year's playoff loss, the Chieftains will have to do it in less than ideal weather conditions.
Tonight's forecast calls for cold temperatures.
Dowagiac will be focused on winning its season finale on Senior Night, but you can expect the Chieftains to be trying to get even with the Redskins for last year's 49-15 loss in the opening round of the playoffs.
"They are the team that eliminated us last year," Dowagiac coach Mike Stanger said. "We had a pretty good talk about this being maybe the senior's last time wearing Orange and Black at Chris Taylor-Alumni Field. There is definitely going to be a payback factor."
A year ago, the Chieftains needed to win their final game of the season in order to qualify for the post season. Tonight, Paw Paw comes into the Wolverine Conference contest needing a win to advance to the playoffs once again.
"We know that they are going to give us their best," Stanger said. "They are going to pull out all the stops. We have to be prepared for all kinds of things. We have to be ready for on-side kicks and we have to be ready for throw-back passes, you name it."
The Chieftains have already qualified with a 6-2 record, but don't expect Dowagiac to take it easy. The Chieftains would love to be 7-2 and get a shot at hosting a first round playoff game.
A win against the Redskins would also give Dowagiac its first seven-win season since 2000.
Paw Paw got off to a slow start this season, but has come on of late.
"There are a lot of reasons why we want to win this game," Stanger said. "This is a big game for us heading into the playoffs. We want to go in there with some momentum and some confidence. We would also like to give us a chance to host a playoff game."
The Redskins lost a ton of talent from last year's squad to graduation. Paw Paw does return all five starters to its offensive line. Its skilled position players have improved each week and the Redskins come to Dowagiac hungry for a victory and a spot in the post season.
Paw Paw averaged 44.1 points per game a season ago. The Redskins have only scored 40 points on one occasion this season. Paw Paw is averaging 16 points per game.
The Redskins have not changed much from last year. Paw Paw will line up in the "I" formation. The Redskins will try to get outside on the Chieftains, but they will not use a lot of misdirection to do so.
Defensively, Paw Paw will play a 5-2 alignment and walk the safety up and play him over the tight end.
"They are going to do the same stuff as last year," Stanger commented.
Dowagiac's offense is much more potent than a season ago.
The Chieftains are averaging 32 points per game and have rushed for nearly 2,500 yards this season. Dowagiac is averaging 7.7 yards per carry.
The ground game is a three-headed monster led by junior Jamie Simpson's 911 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. Senior Jake Shelton has 643 yards and eight touchdowns, while senior Mike Laylin has rushed for 420 yards and scored four touchdowns.
Laylin is averaging 11.7 yards per carry, while Simpson is at 11.1 yards per rush. Shelton's average isn't shabby either at 6.8 yards per carry.
Dowagiac has struggled in the passing game this season, but Stanger is confident that his squad will be successful throwing the football when it needs to.
Senior signal caller Nick File is 24-of-65 on the season for 391 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions. Senior tight end Chris Primley continues to be the main target. Primley has 14 catches for 232 yards and three touchdowns.
Defensively the Chieftains are much improved from a season ago as well.
Dowagiac has allowed its opponents a little more than 1,000 yards on the ground and 700 yards passing.
Opponents are averaging just 3.4 yards per carry. The Chieftains' defense has allowed nine passing touchdowns and six rushing touchdowns. Dowagiac has intercepted 11 passes.
File leads the team with six interceptions. He set a new school record for career interceptions on Friday night when he picked off his 15th pass.
Senior linebacker Kyle Bailey leads the team in tackles with 70. Bailey also had one fumble recovery and one interception.
Senior Tim Bartee is second in tackles with 65. Bartee also has an interception.
Junior defensive back DeShaun Baylock has 53 tackles and an interception.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.