By Jim Henry

jhenry@joplinglobe.com

Sunset marked the end of Galena High School’s football practices this week, and the Bulldogs wouldn’t want it any other way.

“It’s great,” quarterback Jacoby Martin said. “You know that you’re late in the season, and you’ve gone far. It feels good.”

“Practice is a little bit boring,” running back Cody Clark said. “I wish the games would come a little bit faster. That’s what I look forward to, playing in the games.”

For the first time in school history, the Bulldogs have reached the semifinal round of the state playoffs. Galena (12-0) and Marysville (11-1) collide at 2 p.m. today in a Class 3A contest in Marysville. The winner advances to the championship game next weekend in Hutchinson against Wichita Collegiate (12-0) or Norton (9-3), who play today in Norton.

“It’s more fun playing because you’re playing better competition,” Martin said. “You know that you are one of the top teams in the state and can compete with anybody.”

“For this group of kids, it’s just another week,” head coach Beau Sarwinski said. “They are still having fun. They are still excited to be practicing. They are still loose and wanting to take on the next challenge. They are still wanting to learn. It’s kind of fun.”

Galena reached the semis with a 26-15 victory last week over Rossville. Clark ignited the Bulldogs with an 88-yard touchdown run on the first play to highlight his 144-yard effort. Troy Albright gained 165 yards on 28 carries, and Martin completed 10-of-15 passes for 165 yards, including six to Colton Leet for 114 yards.

Linebacker Codie Perry picked off two passes and forced a fumble deep in Galena territory as part of a strong defensive effort.

“Last week we came out of the gate, ready to play against a good high-powered offense that could score at any point,” Sarwinski said. “I thought our defense played extremely well.”

Marysville’s Bulldogs have won six straight since a 35-28 loss to Abilene that decided the North Central Kansas League championship. Last week’s 21-14 victory at Silver Lake put Marysville in the semis for the first time since 1990 and ended Silver Lake’s 32-game home winning streak.

“It’s a big win for our kids and our program,” Marysville head coach Brad Hammett said. “Any time you have a big win over a team like Silver Lake, there is always concern about (the next game). Our kids, though, have done a good job of focusing on each opponent every week.”

Ben Mallotte, 180-pound senior, provides a dual threat at quarterback for Maryville. He’s rushed for 1,200 yards and thrown for 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns. Running back Dave Blumer, 180 senior, has 1,150 yards on the ground.

“We like to establish the running game and go from there with the pass,” Hammett said. “We threw the ball a lot more last year. Our running game is a lot better this year.”

“They are going to come out and play physical, and they will blitz a lot,” Martin said. “I think our line will step up and pick up the blitzes. They will be a physical team.”

“Marysville doesn’t make a lot of mistakes,” Sarwinski said. “They play field position. They are a team that reminds me of our team in that they won’t put themselves in situations to lose the game.”

Galena’s offense has averaged 238 yards rushing and 150 yards passing, but Marysville’s defense limited Silver Lake to just 33 yards on 21 rushes, including nine yards in the first half. Silver Lake threw for 222 yards, and Marysville intercepted two passes.

Albright has rushed for 1,120 yards and 13 touchdowns and caught 20 passes for 388 yards and five scores. Clark averages 10.2 yards per carry — 879 yards on 86 attempts — and has scored 13 touchdowns rushing and a team-high 19 TDs overall.

Martin has run for nine touchdowns and completed 86-of-128 passes for 1,658 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Leet has 37 catches for 767 yards. He has 12 touchdowns total, half of them on receptions.

Albright’s 122 tackles lead the defense. Clark is next with 105, Perry has 81 and Tyler VanCleave and Zach Gougler have 75 apiece.

“On film Galena appears to have very good team speed,” Hammett said. “They play physical football. They are very efficient with their offense, and they have big-play potential on offense.”