South provides big test for DHS

Many coaches believe athletes thrive on competition. The better the competition, the more a team will grow.

Making West Fargo and Fargo South nonconference opponents may not ensure a win, but Dickinson High coach Dave Michaelson believes it improves his squad.

"That's how we try to approach it," Michaelson said. "We're trying to work on some things against good competition."

Last week, West Fargo downed the Midgets 28-3 and it doesn't get any easier at 6 p.m. today when Dickinson visits Fargo South.

The Bruins should be raring to go. They entered the season with just two losses in the past three years, but are already 1-2 on the year. Not ironic is that the teams that gave Fargo South the losses over a three-year span -- Edina, Minn., and Bismarck High -- are the same ones who dealt the Bruins defeats the past two weeks.

"We better be ready for a well-prepared team. There aren't too many teams that catch Fargo South after two losses," Michaelson said. "They're a team hungry for a win. We better be ready to roll."

South has won two of the past three state championships, falling to Bismarck in last year's title tilt. A good start will be necessary, Michaelson said, which the Midgets had last week.

West Fargo went for it on fourth down in its own territory on the first drive of the game and the Midgets stuffed them, getting a field goal from Eric Seiler to take a 3-0 lead.

"We had a real good defensive first series," Michaelson said. "We were playing with a lot of emotion."

Then, the wheels fell off as the Midgets allowed West Fargo to score on the next possession. The Packers led 21-3 at halftime, but only managed a touchdown in the second half.

"When you get momentum and get emotion, you have to sustain it," Michaelson said. "I don't think we did that."

Michaelson said the team is preparing for South's offense, which Dickinson's coaching staff knows well. The Midgets used a similar offense last season.

"It's a lot of motion and formation," Michaelson said. "You can't get caught up in the motions and all the things happening. We have a few things built in to handle that type of offense."

On defense, the Bruins run a 3-5-3 which tells Michaelson they have a good supply of linebackers.

"They can be very difficult to block," Michaelson said. "We have to figure out ways to come at them."

Dickinson is still without its top two centers, starter Tony Maus and backup Jess O'Brien. Guard Don Smith moved over last week and will play there again. Quarterback-center exchanges were a big problem against West Fargo as the ball hit the ground more than Michaelson would have liked.

"That is a concern, I'm not going to lie," Michaelson said.

NOTES: In three games, quarterback Connor McNeilly has completed 47 percent (17-for-36) of his passes for with one TD pass and eight interceptions. ... Senior running back Calen Beaudoin, who entered last week's game with back-to-back 100-yard performances, was held to 41 yards on 15 carries. ... Dickinson hasn't scored a touchdown in its past two games and has just 7 of its 42 points this season in the second half. Junior Nate Moody leads all wideouts with seven catches for 123 yards. ... Tight end Chris Kovash and fullback Eric Seiler caught their first passes of the season last week.