Mustangs Seeking Berth In Title Game
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
In their inaugural season of play in the Interstate Football League, homefield advantage has been just that for the Kosciusko County Mustangs.
And if it is again Saturday afternoon, the Mustangs will have reached their season-long goal - a trip to Indianapolis to play for the IFL championship.
The Mustangs, who sliced through the regular season with a league-best 6-2 record, host the Darke County Warriors Saturday at 3 p.m. at Lakeview Middle School's Fisher Field.
The Mustangs were off last week after earning a playoff bye and homefield advantage for this week's game with their regular season record. The Warriors (7-2) advanced to Saturday's semifinal playoff game with an 18-0 win over the LaGrange County Longhorns (1-8).
Saturday's winner advances to the IFL championship game Oct. 24 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis and will play either the Mercer County Cougars (6-3) or the Hendricks County Generals.
The IFL championship game will follow the Indianapolis Colts' game with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
"The guys know what's at stake, they're ready," Mustangs head coach Steve Richardson said Thursday evening at the team's practice. "We've thrown in a few new looks offensively and defensively that they (the Warriors) haven't seen. We hope to get on the board early, but we don't want to get a big lead and sit back on it. The Warriors are not going to roll over."
The Mustangs and Warriors have faced off twice this season, with the home team winning each time.
The Mustangs won 28-7 in Week 2 of the eight-game regular season, while Darke County won 21-20 two weeks later.
In games the Mustangs have played at Fisher Field they have outscored their opponents 146-36 and posted a 4-0 record. Through the regular season, the Mustangs were the No. 1 scoring offense in the IFL, averaging 31 points per game. The Mustang defense gave up 16 points per game during the regular season, the third-best average in the league.
"I don't think putting points on the board will be a problem," said Richardson. "We have a good running back, four of the best wide receivers in the league and a quarterback who I think is the best in the league. The guys are very aware what's at stake. They know we have the talent to beat anyone in the league, but it's also been proven that we're not invincible. We have to stay focused."
The Mustangs' two losses came by a combined three points, falling 20-18 to the Cougars in Week 2 and 21-20 to the Warriors in Week 5.
The Mustangs enter their first playoff game in team history after earning a first-round bye.
The Mustangs haven't played since beating the LaGrange County Longhorns 32-22.
"It's given our players time to heal," said Richardson. "We might be a little slow off the bat. We've had slow starts before but got things going in the second half. Once we start clicking and get going we'll put some points on the board."
In Week 6 of the regular season, the Mustangs trailed the host Generals 22-0 but came back and won 30-28.
To beat Darke County Saturday, Richardson says his team will have to stop the Warriors' running game.
"They have a quick running back, and we've been doing some things in practice to get ready for that," said Richardson. "We need to stop their running game up front. We want to force their passing game because we like our chances with our defensive backs and linebackers." [[In-content Ad]]
In their inaugural season of play in the Interstate Football League, homefield advantage has been just that for the Kosciusko County Mustangs.
And if it is again Saturday afternoon, the Mustangs will have reached their season-long goal - a trip to Indianapolis to play for the IFL championship.
The Mustangs, who sliced through the regular season with a league-best 6-2 record, host the Darke County Warriors Saturday at 3 p.m. at Lakeview Middle School's Fisher Field.
The Mustangs were off last week after earning a playoff bye and homefield advantage for this week's game with their regular season record. The Warriors (7-2) advanced to Saturday's semifinal playoff game with an 18-0 win over the LaGrange County Longhorns (1-8).
Saturday's winner advances to the IFL championship game Oct. 24 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis and will play either the Mercer County Cougars (6-3) or the Hendricks County Generals.
The IFL championship game will follow the Indianapolis Colts' game with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
"The guys know what's at stake, they're ready," Mustangs head coach Steve Richardson said Thursday evening at the team's practice. "We've thrown in a few new looks offensively and defensively that they (the Warriors) haven't seen. We hope to get on the board early, but we don't want to get a big lead and sit back on it. The Warriors are not going to roll over."
The Mustangs and Warriors have faced off twice this season, with the home team winning each time.
The Mustangs won 28-7 in Week 2 of the eight-game regular season, while Darke County won 21-20 two weeks later.
In games the Mustangs have played at Fisher Field they have outscored their opponents 146-36 and posted a 4-0 record. Through the regular season, the Mustangs were the No. 1 scoring offense in the IFL, averaging 31 points per game. The Mustang defense gave up 16 points per game during the regular season, the third-best average in the league.
"I don't think putting points on the board will be a problem," said Richardson. "We have a good running back, four of the best wide receivers in the league and a quarterback who I think is the best in the league. The guys are very aware what's at stake. They know we have the talent to beat anyone in the league, but it's also been proven that we're not invincible. We have to stay focused."
The Mustangs' two losses came by a combined three points, falling 20-18 to the Cougars in Week 2 and 21-20 to the Warriors in Week 5.
The Mustangs enter their first playoff game in team history after earning a first-round bye.
The Mustangs haven't played since beating the LaGrange County Longhorns 32-22.
"It's given our players time to heal," said Richardson. "We might be a little slow off the bat. We've had slow starts before but got things going in the second half. Once we start clicking and get going we'll put some points on the board."
In Week 6 of the regular season, the Mustangs trailed the host Generals 22-0 but came back and won 30-28.
To beat Darke County Saturday, Richardson says his team will have to stop the Warriors' running game.
"They have a quick running back, and we've been doing some things in practice to get ready for that," said Richardson. "We need to stop their running game up front. We want to force their passing game because we like our chances with our defensive backs and linebackers." [[In-content Ad]]