No more QB rotation for Midgets

Talk about it

Dickinson High planned on going with a two-quarterback set this season, but sometimes plans change.

Dylan Skabo, a 6-foot, 155-pound sophomore, will attempt to establish some offensive rhythm for the Midgets by traveling to Minot High for a Class 3A, West Region game today at 6 p.m. CDT.

“We are going to have Dylan start this game and stay in as long as he can,” Dickinson head coach Dennis Morris said. “If he can’t, Luke’s (Hanel) expertise in leadership will be there to help us out. We are just going to use one quarterback more to get into a rhythm.”

The change comes at a needed time with Dickinson (2-4, 1-2 West Region) needing a win to keep its playoffs hopes alive.

“We realize that it’s ‘do or die’ this week,” senior linebacker Vance Volesky said. “If we don’t win this week, there’s no chance for playoffs.”

Fourth-ranked Minot (4-2, 1-2 West) is in the same boat, needing a West Region win to stay in playoff contention.

“It’s a huge game for both teams,” Minot head coach Barry Holmen said. “We each have one win in the conference. Both teams feel like they need to win this game.”

The Midgets are eager to play a strong running team. Dickinson limited its last opponent, Williston, to just 42 yards on the ground.

“I’m excited to play Minot,” Morris said. “Minot scores a lot of their points on the ground. They are a running team and our run defense is the strong part of our team.”

Though Dickinson’s run defense has been good, Holmen expects to use size to help move the ball.

“We recognize that we have a size advantage,” Holmen said. “We’re hopeful that we can move the ball by running right at them.”

Dickinson’s offense isn’t too shabby, either, averaging 15.5 points per game, which includes shutout losses to Bismarck High and Bismarck Century.

The Midgets have taken pride in being a diverse offense, mixing in both passing and running. The Midgets ground game is lead by 5-foot-7, 155-pound sophomore Michael Cherwinski.

“It gives us a big advantage,” Cherwinski said. “Opposing teams can’t key on us if we are more of a passing team or a running team.”

Morris wanted to establish the running game early this season, due to the lack of experience at the receiver position.

“We knew it would be easier to establish the running game,” Morris said. “Each and every year, Dylan is going to be throwing the ball and our routes are going to get better.”

Though the Midgets lack experience on the receiving end, that minimal experience could turn into a strong point at the end of this season and transitioning into next season.

“In practice, we have the best wide receiver crew in the state,” Morris said. “It seems like in a game we hear the footsteps and get a little scared. I’m excited about the receivers we do have.”

The part of the Midgets that can be easily remedied is the amount of penalties. Dickinson caused 12 penalties for 99 yards and was forced into second and long situations against Williston.

“The penalties are number one,” Morris said. “Looking back, I have a hard time getting angry at some of the penalties we are making. We have a lot of young guys and we are going to make penalties. We just have to limit the number of penalties.”

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