Defense critical for Cubs’ hopes

It doesn’t take much of a scientist to figure out the keys to Humboldt’s Class 3A regional playoff game at Cherryvale Saturday.
“We have to play better on defense,” Cub head coach K.B. Criss said.
Saturday’s 7 p.m. affair at Cherryvale High School is a rematch from Oct. 4, when the Chargers pummeled Humboldt to the tune of 358 rushing yards in a 47-31 victory.
The Chargers don’t do much to disguise their strategy, Criss noted. They’re simply content to grind up yards with their punishing one-two punch. Head coach Harry Hester calls it his “thunder and thunder” approach.
Senior Tristan Thornton, at 5-7 and 204 pounds, is a load to bring down. He rushed for 197 yards and two touchdowns in the first game with Humboldt. He also had 183 yards and a touchdown in Tuesday’s 32-18 bi-district win over Galena in a game many forecast the Chargers to lose.
Meanwhile, Cody Hockett, a 5-6, 218-pound, senior, rushed for a touchdown against Galena. He rushed for 50 yards in Cherryvale’s win over Humboldt.
Guiding the Cherryvale attack is sophomore quarterback Lane Raida. He attempted only six passes in the game against Humboldt, completing two. Both, however, went for touchdowns, to Thornton and junior tight end Kaden Housel.
A bruising offensive line paves the way, and features only two seniors in Cole Wenino and Ty Wood. They’re joined by juniors Jordan Ellis and Dakota Trout and sophomore Brady Snider and. The line averages 213 pounds.
Adding to Criss’ concern for Saturday is Humboldt’s health.
The Cubs saw two key performers, senior Jacob Carpenter and junior Kason Siemens, miss playing time due to injuries in the second half of Tuesday’s 13-7 win over Central Heights.
“We need to get them healthy quickly with a short week,” Criss said.
But, he noted, Humboldt largely stifled a Central Heights offense that also featured a bruising running back in sophomore Jacob Pryor.
Humboldt bent on occasion, but never broke, particularly in the second half against Central Heights.
“Defensively, we stepped up and made plays,” he said. “Our Defensive Line did a great job, our linebackers did a good job of filling gaps, and our secondary was solid not giving up the big play. Our defensive backs have done a great jab their last four games.”