Spoofhounds look for rebound against Eagles

JON DYKSTRA/DAILY FORUM
Maryville defenders Jackson Sanders (68) and Tyler Houchin combine on a tackle against St. Pius X earlier this season in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Spoofhounds will be in search of a bounce-back victory on Friday night when they return home for the first time since Week One and prepare for a battle against Bishop LeBlond.

The Eagles will not be an easy opponent for the Spoofhounds to find their rhythm against, however.

LeBlond lost a heartbreaker in Week One to Pembroke Hill, 30-27.

“We were up 27-12, almost like that Texas A&M and UCLA game the other night,” Eagle coach Tony Dudik said. “Losing that game was an eye-opener for the boys. The biggest thing since then is I feel like we have grown and shown improvement.”

As the season has chugged along, the Eagles have seemed to improved with each passing week. In Week Two, LeBlond knocked off East Buchanan 27-20 and in Week Three, they routed Cameron, 42-0.

The 41-year coaching veteran, with stints at St. Joseph-Central and LeBlond, makes no secrets about the respect he has for this week’s opponent and their head coach.

“We have coaches in the coaching fraternity that see the big picture in life, like coach Webb does, and like I have always tried to do,” Dudik said. “It goes God first, family second, education third and then football and I think when coaches keep that perspective they can feel good about whatever happens, regardless of the results.”

Webb and Dudik even carpool together to coaching events during the offseason.

“Coach Webb always baby-sits me,” Dudik said with a laugh. “He lets me jump in and we ride down to (coaching conventions) together. We talk not only about football, but life, about family and about raising kids.

“To me that is the greatest thing about sports. We are competitors. When we step on the field Friday night, I’ll give him a big hug at the beginning of the game and at the end of the game, regardless of the circumstances, but in those 48 minutes I’m going to coach my tail off and have our kids ready to go and I know Coach will do the same.”

Dudik’s team isn’t blessed with the sheer depth that Webb’s team possesses, but a trio of senior skill players gives the team a solid foundation to build their team upon.

Quarterback Sean Davis (No. 3) has been extremely productive in the first three games this season. He has thrown for 564 yards on 44-for-74 passing with seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

The stats don’t tell the entire story with Davis according to his coach.

“What I love about Sean, more than anything else, is the poise he brings to the game,” Dudik said. “Even when things are going south sometimes, he is a superior leader. We have great confidence in him.

“I went down to college night at Rockhurst, because I certainly believe that Sean is a college level player, and every transcript that I gave to the coaches, I drew a big smile on it because this kid is a joy to coach and a joy to have around. He personally finds joy in everything.”

Davis’ favorite weapon is the extremely versatile Nathaniel Bentrup (No. 23), who has totaled three receiving touchdowns and three interceptions from his free safety spot.

“He has a smile on his face every day and is passionate about whatever he does,” Dudik said. “Those kind of kids are a joy to coach. … Those are two of the better kids on our team and if everybody was like that then every person in America would want to be a coach. They are outstanding young men.”

For the season Bentrup has 14 catches and 190 yards receiving with four touchdowns. He is also the team’s second-leading rusher with seven carries for 45 yards.

“On the defensive side, he will come down and tattoo you, but two of his interceptions last week were on the sideline, so he understands defensive football and he diagnoses plays extremely well. We are fortunate to have him back there.”

Friday’s game should be a relaxing one for the broadcasters as it won’t take many guesses to find out who is running the ball for LeBlond. Jacob Raczkowski (No. 26) has 75 of the team’s 77 total runs from a running back.

Dudik admits that Raczkowski doesn’t really have a backup at his position and if he was injured the team would probably have to shift Bentrup into the backfield.

Raczkowski has made the most of his bell-cow back status and had 323 yards with four touchdowns this season.

“We feel very blessed to have him here,” Dudik said. “What I am trying to convince my boys up front is that if we can stay on our blocks a little longer and get him in space, he is exceptional in space. Most importantly, he finishes runs and is tough.”

The Eagles only have 33 players on their entire team, so Dudik says toughness will be a key with multiple players playing nearly the whole game.

“We have zero depth,” Dudik said. “We are trying to bring young kids along, but you don’t want to put them on that Friday night field too early. We play offense and defense and if they can run, they play special teams, so some of them never leave the field. What I have to explain to my team is that the physicality is going to step up this week.”

Catching the Hounds after a loss is an interesting spot for the Eagles.

“I know what coach is going to do, but those kids have never experienced that,” Dudik said. “The things about Maryville, Missouri, is not only with the Bearcats, but also the Spoofhounds, they are used to winning and being successful.”