Hounds trying to change history

2022 is different

The playoff opportunity made them freeze instead of playing with their hair on fire. Even though it's kind of de'ja vu, at the same time, the teams are different. What we do is different and what they do is different.”

Derek Doherty, FMHS Head football coach

FORT MADISON - The song seems to remain the same - for the Bloodhounds anyway.

Fort Madison takes on Burlington Friday in the final regular season game just like they did last year.

And just like last year, both team's post-season hopes are on the line. In 2021, the Grayhounds recovered a fumble in the endzone with about 90 seconds left to dash the Bloodhounds' hopes for a post-season berth.

"We don't have the same guys and they don't have the same guys. It was a little different last year where they had Bryant, but now they have three really good rushers - and a triple-headed monster," Doherty said.

"Bryant was going to get his yards and we had a game plan for that. We feel it was the quarterback that beat us last year, moving the chains at 3rd and long several times."

Doherty said the psychology of trying to make the playoffs weighed heavy on the Bloodhounds in 2021 after making the playoffs in 2020.

"It was more psychological last year. We felt like we were talking about the playoff opportunity and our kids played like they were trying to protect something. They didn't go out there and let it rip and that's 100% on me," Doherty said.

"The playoff opportunity made them freeze instead of playing with their hair on fire. Even though it's kind of de'ja vu, at the same time the teams are different. What we do is different and what they do is different."

Doherty said changing the mindset from 2020 starts with honesty among the players and staff.

With individual athletes and their reflectinos of last year and where they were at. Being honest with each other. At the end of the day, we're focused on one football game. That's all we can take  care of.

He said the message this week in practice has been that the Hounds are 0-0.

"When we play fast physical football, we're a lot of fun to watch. We'll reflect on the season later on and what we have to do to get over the hump with teams like North Scott and Liberty," Doherty said.

The Grayhounds will pound the ball at Fort Madison. Burlington has thrown the ball  just 30 times all year, but has over 2,600 yards on the ground.

"Coach Krekel is a phenomenol coach and he really understands smashmouth football and he loves it. He coached me years ago and that's the style of football he likes," Doherty said.

"And they have guys that are built for that."

BHS will run Nolan Simpson, Caden Schisel, and Gabe Robinson out of the backfield. The trio has combined for more than 2,100 yards on the year with Robinson the dual threat under center.

Simpson also leads the Grayhounds with 37.5 tackles. Trent Huffman is next up with 36.

Fort Madison has had a rough stretch falling to Iowa City Liberty 49-0 two weeks ago and then 49-14 last week at home vs North Scott.

It's the same pattern from 2021 when the Hounds went 6-0 to start the year and then dropped two back-to-back against the Lightning and Lancers.

This year shapes up to be another donnybrook from the whistle, but Burlington gave Iowa City Liberty all it wanted last week, losing in the final seconds at Bracewell.

Fort Madison mixed things up a bit last week using Hayden Segoviano out of the backfield. The junior rushed for 49 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.

Doherty said that could continue this week to give Teague Smith a breather and fresher legs, with both Smith and Segoviano anchoring the defense from linebacker spots.

"We're excited about that and you'll probably see Hayden in the backfield again this week," Doherty said.

He said the coaches were waiting for someone to step up and give Smith a break, and Hayden raised his hand. Teague's a competitor and I think that's a great thing to have happening."

Aidan Boyer has thrown for more than 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns with just four picks. Fort Madison has three receivers with more than 300 yards including Leif Boeding, Henry Wiseman, and Kane Williams.

Williams leads the receivers with five touchdowns.

Daniel Sokolik and Ike Thacher, will anchor the defensive front along with Cory Arnette. Tanner Settles and Brody Cashman, out at edge rush spots, will try and contain the Grayhounds' rushing attack.

Segoviano has 51 tackles and Settles has 42 to lead the Bloodhounds. Smith and Sokolik each have 33 tackles and Thacher has 32.5, but always seems to be chasing ball carriers around in the backfield. The junior has five tackles for losses and 11 sacks on the year.

Fort Madison also got some added decoration for the field for Friday night. Brian Morehouse and Chris Sorrentino spent Thursday night putting the Fort Madison emblem on the 50 yard line.

They also paid tribute to GJ Lozano, who's been a part of the Hounds athletic programs for decades, by painting "GJ" on the home side of the field.

The Hounds/Hounds game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Friday night Richmond Stadium's Yeoul Field.