 "Photo: Mike Schmitt, Daily Jefferson County Union for Warhawkfootball.com")
After the 2008 football schedule was released, the thought of being undefeated for the Homecoming game might have seemed unlikely for the Warhawks, a team that faced a plethora of questions prior to the season.
However, the 'Hawks overcame an unfavorable schedule to defeat three WIAC teams on the road, won a game in Tacoma, Wash., and enter their 1 p.m. Homecoming game Saturday against the UW-Stevens Point Pointers with a 19-game winning streak.
But an undefeated record was not the No. 1 goal for head coach Lance Leipold when the season started.
"I just knew we had a chance to be a good football team," Leipold said. "We knew we had the athleticism, but our success to this point has been because our team has come together, and we are working hard to win games."
Even though the 'Hawks, (6-0, 4-0 WIAC) are riding high after shellacking the UW-Oshkosh Titans last Saturday, 44-3, senior co-captain Jace Rindahl said the team is ready to get back to its home turf after playing on the road for two straight weeks. He realizes, though, they have to keep their focus on the Pointers.
"While there will be a lot of distractions, the coaching staff and the upperclassmen will do a good job of keeping everyone on task," Rindahl said. "We can't take the Pointers lightly and expect to just show up and win."
The Pointers (5-1, 2-1) moved to second in the conference standings after their 19-9 victory at UW-Stout. They also feature the No. 1-ranked defense in the WIAC and the league's No. 2-ranked rush defense.
However, the Pointers defense, which held Stout to 26 yards rushing, will have its hands full with the 'Hawks offense. Led by junior quarterback Jeff Donovan and freshman running back Levell Coppage, the 'Hawks lead the league in three offensive categories: scoring, rushing and total offense.
"We might be young, but we know what has to be done," Coppage said. "And playing against a strong defense will be exciting."
While the 'Hawks don't want their Homecoming to be ruined by the Pointers, the reigning NCAA champions had other plans for UW-Oshkosh's Homecoming game.
The 'Hawks dominated the game on both sides of the ball, as they put up 549 yards of total offense and the defense allowed a season-low 113 yards. Moreover, the defense didn't allow a touchdown for the second time in three games.
"It's great to have a strong defense, because one thing you need to have to be a great team is both a great defense and offense, and we're developing that," Coppage said.
Although Coppage was again tough to stop on the ground with 103 rushing yards, the passing game shined for much of the first half.
Donovan passed for 315 yards and connected with sophomore wide receiver Aaron Rusch for two scores. His first touchdown to Rusch was a 26-yard pass to put the 'Hawks up 10-0 at the end of one quarter. Donovan then found Rusch, who finished with 168 yards, in the end zone for a 54-yard strike to increase their lead to 24-0 midway through the second quarter.
"People sometimes forget Jeff's playing some good football," Leipold said. "Rusch had an outstanding game and Jordan Wells is back [from injury], and our offense is really executing on all facets."
While the 'Hawks cruised to another WIAC win, it will be a showdown of the No. 1 offense vs. the No. 1 defense on Saturday.
"We've already moved past the Oshkosh game and are ready for Stevens Point," Rindahl said.
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