LE ROY Forgive Southern Coffey County head football coach Trevor Smith if he seemed a bit dumbstruck Thursday night after his Titan team ran past Wakefield 60-14 in the opening round of the playoffs.
The first-year head coach and SCC-alum was more than pleased with his teams performance and he had all of the confidence in the world that they would win. But he just didnt think it would be by that much.
Im shocked that the game happened this way, to be honest, Smith said. I thought it was going to be a close game, I really did. I had watched enough of their film to know they were a good team. Im proud of my boys, I can tell you that. They did a good job tonight.
Led by the strength, size and speed of senior running back Dawson Leimkuhler and his five touchdowns, the Titans (6-3) muscled their way past the Bombers, ending the game with 9:39 left in the fourth quarter.
We knew that wed have to play a good game here, Smith said. Theyre a big, physical team and theyre a good team and weve worked all week on picking up blitzes and picking up certain blocks. The boys did a good job responding and coming out and playing football.
The Bombers struggled on both ends of the ball. Offensively, they failed to get past midfield for most of the first half and defensively, they were just no match for the Titans multi-pronged attack.
Senior quarterback Jett Harvey connected on three of four passes with two of the receptions for 30-plus yards including one touchdown to senior wide receiver Kolgan Ohl. Harvey also scrambled in for a six-yard touchdown.
Fullback Cooper Harred also got in on the scoring late in the second quarter, forcing his way into the end zone from one yard out.
But the night belonged to Leimkuhler.
The senior was a force of nature, jamming his way around and through Wakefield defenders for his five scores.
Due to Leimkuhlers height, hes around 64, past coaches have utilized him as a tight end or a receiver but Smith saw something in his strength and speed and decided his talents may be better used on the ground. He was right.
The senior has put up gaudy numbers all year. Thursday night was his second-best night of the season with 293 yards on 32 carries.
So far this year, hes run for 1,513 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Hes come a long way this season for never having played running back, Smith said. Hes big and physical and hes got that speed to him and if you dont hit him low, hes not going down.
A deep run in the playoffs may very well see Leimkuhler run for over 2,000 yards this year.
