Run-heavy BE/E hosts Chester’s passing attack

For much of the season, the Chester Area High School football team has thrown the ball a bit more than most Class 9AA teams.

Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan, on the other hand, has been a knock-down, drag-out run team.

That is not to say either can not adapt, though.

For the Flyers, proof of that came in a 34-6 win over Howard in the first round of the playoffs. Chester Area rolled up more than 300 yards of rushing offense against the Tigers.

The Seahawks showed their balance when quarterback Justin Grosdidier passed for 162 yards and two touchdowns to lead B-E/E past White Lake/Plankinton in a semifinal Monday.

Each team’s versatility will be under the microscope when Chester travels to Emery to face B-E/E in a state semifinal at 7 p.m. Saturday.

“We like to throw the football, but it just depends on what they’re going to give us,” Flyers coach Brad Benson said. “If they are going to give us the little outs and things, we’ll take it. And if they play us tight, maybe we can try and get one over the top.”

And if the Seahawks look to take away the pass completely, Chester will not be afraid to pound away with its run game.

Flyers senior quarterback Drew Kreutzfeldt directs an offense that also relies heavily on senior running back Dylan Kreutzfeldt.

Drew Kreutzfeldt oftentimes uses his brother, Dylan, in the pass game, too. Tight end Jordan VanLiere, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound senior also is a weapon for the Flyers, who have an offensive line led by seniors Zach Stewart, Jackson Mendel and Brandon Fedeler.

“They’ve found their run game these last few games and that’s going to have to be something we slow down,” B-E/E coach Jeff VanLeur said. “With the Kreutzfeldt kids, they are really shifty and tough to match up with.”

The Seahawks (8-2) have had Jordon Connor carrying the load in the backfield. He was the team’s leading rusher against WL/P and also returned a punt for a touchdown.

But it was Grosdidier’s passing that got B-E/E past the Warriors.

Grosdidier, who is back near 100 percent after having ankle and Achilles injuries the past two weeks of the regular season, threw a pair of scores to tight end Tyson Kayser to offset a less-than-usual performance by the Seahawks’ run game.

“Justin has been a leader for us,” VanLeur said. “He’s a three-year starter and he’s really had command of our offense all season. We need him to play well.”

Still, Chester (8-2) will have to stop the B-E/E run game first.

And Benson hopes his team’s recent strong play will continue long enough to get them to the DakotaDome.

“It’s kind of cliché that we’re peaking at the right time,” Benson said. “but I think the fact that we have 14 seniors that don’t want the season to end has helped us continue on.”

Tags: high school football, sports, bridgewater, emery, ethan