Almont football is 'dialed in' ahead of regional final against Detroit Edison
ALMONT — How does a high school football team follow up a thrilling, back-and-forth overtime victory against the top-ranked program in its division?
That's the question Almont (10-1) will answer on Friday, when it hosts Detroit Edison (8-3) in a Division 6 regional final at 7 p.m.
"You always worry about that up-down theory," Almont coach James Leusby said. "When you put all that effort into (winning) one at the last minute, you wonder if (the players) are going to have it in them to do it again. But our kids are resilient, so I don't doubt that they will. We had a really good practice (Wednesday) and we're dialed in. We're ready to go."
The Raiders' rushing attack has been dialed in as well, totaling 2,985 yards (271.4 per game) and 43 touchdowns this season.
While those 43 scores have come from nine different players, Almont's success starts with lead running back Chase Battani. The junior has rushed for 944 yards (8.9 per attempt) and 17 touchdowns. That's 105 carries without a single fumble.
And yet, Battani isn't the Raiders' only backfield threat. Matthew Bacholzky (443 yards, five touchdowns), Luke Winkler (347 yards, six touchdowns) and Ayden Ferqueron (276 yards, four touchdowns) are all averaging more than six yards per carry.
Junior quarterback Chase Davedowski has six rushing touchdowns on his own, most of which have come on sneaks deep in the red zone. While he doesn't throw the ball often, Davedowski is still 18-of-46 passing for 381 yards and six touchdowns against one interception.
Defensively, Almont surrendered a season-high 38 points last week against Warren Michigan Collegiate. Prior to that outing, the Raiders hadn't allowed more than 22 in a game.
Fortunately, Detroit Edison isn't the offensive juggernaut that Warren Collegiate was. But the Pioneers are still averaging 31.6 points per game and have outscored opponents 54-6 during the playoffs.
Edison blanked Detroit Old Redford in the first round, 22-0, before demolishing Ecorse in the district final, 32-6.
"They're a lot like the last two teams we've played," Leusby said. "They have athletes and a big quarterback that likes to run downhill. They're a little bit bigger than the last two teams, but basically have the same type of offense and defense."
While those styles contrast with Almont's brand of football, the Raiders always find a way to adapt. That's how they prevailed last week. Remember Davedowski's clutch 33-yard touchdown pass to Battani on fourth down? I know Warren Collegiate does.
"(That win) gave us the confidence that we're fast enough and athletic enough to compete with those really good, athletic teams," Leusby said. "Sometimes, people might think a ground-and-pound (team) like us can't compete against a spread team.
"Well, now my kids have the confidence (to say), 'Hey, spread team, power team, we've seen it all through the BWAC and the playoffs.' We've seen everything that's out there."
As for Edison, it hasn't seen anything like Almont.
Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Almont football 'dialed in' ahead of regional final against Edison
