By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
If the Dowagiac varsity football team is going to win the Division 4, Region 3, District 2 championship Friday night in Battle Creek, it must stop Harper Creek's passing game.
That might be a tall order for the Chieftains, who coming into the game with an 8-2 record.
Dowagiac must contain Division 1 prospect Rocky Weaver, the Beavers' 6-feet-6 tight end.
Harper Creek (9-1) and the Chieftains haven't met on the football field since 2004. The Beavers defeated Dowagiac 21-0 in their last meeting.
The Chieftains won their first encounter in the Big 16 Conference in 2003.
Battle Creek is coming off a 62-36 pasting of Comstock in the opening round last Friday night. Harper Creek scored 44 points in the second quarter and led 50-20 at halftime.
Quarterback Nate Smith led the charge as he tossed five touchdowns passes in the second quarter and ran for another. Smith had 301 yards passing in the first half alone.
His favorite target was not Weaver, but wide receiver Shae Hamilton, who had catches of 43, 55 and 14 yards. Smith's other touchdown tosses went to Alex Latta for 14 yards and Weaver for 10 yards.
For the game, Smith was 20-of-34 for 342 yards and six touchdowns.
On the season, Smith has thrown for better than 2,300 yards and has 23 touchdowns.
Weaver has caught 56 passes for better than 900 yards and has 10 touchdowns.
As impressive as the Beavers' offensive stats were, Dowagiac coach Mike Stanger noticed that Harper Creek gave up 36 points defensively and 337 yards passing and four touchdowns to Comstock quarterback Tyler Burke.
"They (Harper Creek) are a good team," Stanger said. "It's going to be a tall order because of their size, but our kids are confident and the believe in themselves."
For Dowagiac to be successful on Friday night, the Chieftains must control the clock with its offense the way they did Friday night against Three Rivers.
Dowagiac dominated the time of possession. The Chieftains were able to keep the Wildcats' offense on the sidelines, the same place they want to keep the Beavers on Friday night.
Dowagiac was able to control the clock because of its running game. The Chieftains rolled up 335 yards thanks to the running of junior Jamie Simpson and senior Jack Shelton.
Simpson rushed for 142 yards, while Shelton finished with 111 yards.
Dowagiac's stout offensive line consists of D.J. Edgerly, Ryan Laylin, Drew Staley, Robert Wescott, Ryan Casey and Chris Primley.
"We have to control the line of scrimmage," Stanger said. "We have to stay away from turnovers and penalties. Our thing is we want to come out Friday night and control the ball. That means we have to stay away from third and long. Anytime we can get into third and three or third and four situations, we know we can be successful."
When the Beavers take the field on offense, Dowagiac is going to have to find a way to pressure Smith.
"We have to get to their quarterback," Stanger said. "We have to make him move around in the pocket."
Stanger warned that Harper Creek despite their reputation isn't a one-dimensional team.
"They are known for passing, but they open every game on the ground," Stanger pointed out. "They pounded the ball against Lakeshore when they got around the end zone. In watching them on tape, it looks like they want to feel you out and see what you are going to give them. If they can run it on you consistently, then that is what they are going to try to do."
Kickoff on Friday is set for 7:30 p.m.