By Jim Fryar
jfryar@joplinglobe.com
Greenfield’s status as a state quarterfinalist has to rank as a pleasant surprise, according to coach Jamie LaSalle.
“I would never have thought that all,” LaSalle said of his preseason expectations. “We’ve played well above and beyond what I thought.
“Our younger guys have improved. We’re not overly dominated by seniors. It’s just that some of our younger guys who didn’t have any varsity experience, or very little, have really stepped up. They just did what they were asked to do and stuck with it and have gotten better.”
The Wildcats, 11-1, will try to take another stride through the Class 1 playoff bracket today. They entertain No. 2-ranked Tipton, 12-0, in a 1:30 p.m. game.
The Cardinals have a strong tradition, including a semifinal appearance last season. They lost to eventual runnerup Thayer 35-24.
Tipton has reached the playoffs in undefeated fashion four times in the last six years.
“They’re a really quick team,” LaSalle said. “They look a lot like us on the speed factor. They have a really good running back, who has done most of the damage on the film we’ve seen.
“They’re a good, solid football team. They’re not going to make a lot of mistakes. Defensively, they’re not overly big, but they’re quick to the ball.”
Greenfield’s defensive effort has LaSalle and coordinator Matt Gravelin both glowing.
“Our defense has been playing well for four or five weeks now,” LaSalle said. “That’s probably been the big key. Our defense has really stepped up, a big improvement from early in the year.
“And it’s not that we were playing bad (early). It just seems like we’ve been tackling better. We were kind of young on defense and some of the guys are getting used to playing varsity. ... Our defense is really peaking.”
Despite the production in playoff wins over Appleton City (25-6) and Adrian (26-0), LaSalle isn’t convinced the Greenfield offense has realized its potential.
“We’re just happy to be playing and we’re happy that we’re playing some of our best football,” LaSalle said. “But I don’t think we’ve played anywhere near what we can on offense.”
That attack has been built around senior Jordan Riehm, whose running and receiving skills led to a 30-touchdown performance during the regular season.
“He has done the bulk of the work, but the other guys have contributed,” LaSalle said of juniors Jordan Bryant and Jamie Gray and sophomore Montana Hembree.
“Maybe they haven’t had what looks like a dominating statistical game, but they’ve all come up big,” LaSalle said. “When teams key on Jordan (Riehm), we counter off that and one of the steps up with a big play.”
Added LaSalle: “When you do better than you thought and when things come together like they have, you don’t want it to end.”
The Greenfield-Tipton winner will play either Thayer or Ste. Genevieve Catholic is the semifinal round next Saturday.
Sports
Greenfield battles No. 2-ranked Cards today
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