2A Finale Preview

Rossville knows how it feels to have to go without your star player. The Bulldogs made it through the 2021 season undefeated despite the temporary loss of quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="35598" first="Torrey" last="Horak"]. Horak is back, with his team on the brink of back-to-back championships. The Bulldogs’ opponent is 9-3 Beloit. The Trojans are holding their breath to see if their star, [player_tooltip player_id="87650" first="Benson" last="Berndt"], will be available. He left Friday’s win over Kingman with what appeared to be an ankle injury. Berndt’s availability will be the story leading up to Saturday. Here are some players to watch in the big game: [player_tooltip player_id="87650" first="Benson" last="Berndt"], 5-foot-9, 170 pound running back, 2023, Beloit: Few teams rely as heavily on one ball carrier as the Trojans do on Berndt. All eyes will be on whether he can go against Rossville. Before he left Friday, he had 32 carries for 161 yards and two scores. <strong>Tate Kadel</strong>, 5-foot-9, 180 pound running back, 2022, Beloit: Kadel has done a great job all season supporting Berndt, and he will get the majority of the touches if Berndt can’t go. He stepped in to pick up 40 yards to finish off Kingman Friday night. [player_tooltip player_id="122942" first="Grady" last="Seyfert"], 6-foot-2, 275 pound lineman, 2023, Beloit: Beloit has some great size along the lines, led by the massive Seyfert. He’s a road grader who helps clear holes for the Beloit ground game that has been so effective this year. [player_tooltip player_id="35598" first="Torrey" last="Horak"], 5-foot-10, 170 pound quarterback/defensive back, 2022, Rossville: Horak appears back to full strength. He carried 16 times for 109 yards and two scores, and completed 10-20 throws for 144 yards. He’s a slippery runner who isn’t afraid to put his head down. With him back, the Bulldogs will be tough to match. <strong>Corey Catron</strong>, 5-foot-8, 165 pound running back/linebacker, 2022, Rossville: Catron has been the hero of the season, not only providing rugged ball carrying but capable quarterbacking when Horak went down. He’s a team-first player who does whatever the Bulldogs need on both sides of the ball. Friday he carried 22 times for 181 yards and two touchdowns. <strong>Kade Perine</strong>, 5-foot-4, 120 pound receiver/defensive back, 2023, Rossville: Perine is a shifty and quick receiver who is tough as nails and plays through contact. He’s the Bulldogs’ top target, having caught 25 passes for 458 yards.