Blair Oaks defense intends to make California a 'one-dimensional' team

Blair Oaks running back Cody Alexander is pushed out of bounds by a School of the Osage defender during last Friday night's game at the Falcon Athletic Complex in Wardsville. Alexander finished the game with eight receptions for 122 yards, both career highs.
Blair Oaks running back Cody Alexander is pushed out of bounds by a School of the Osage defender during last Friday night's game at the Falcon Athletic Complex in Wardsville. Alexander finished the game with eight receptions for 122 yards, both career highs.

WARDSVILLE, Mo. - The Blair Oaks Falcons have had to expect the unexpected in recent games.

For the past three weeks, teams have used new formations against the Blair Oaks defense, which coaches had not seen previously on game film. Regardless of the changes, the defense has managed to make in-game adjustments and help secure a win.

The California Pintos (2-5 overall, 2-3 in Tri-County Conference) may try something new as well against Blair Oaks (7-0, 5-0), but one thing won't change. The Pintos will rely heavily on junior quarterback Jacob Wolken during tonight's game against the Falcons in California. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

"I think it's hard to avoid seeing No. 11 on the film," Blair Oaks coach Terry Walker said of Wolken. "We certainly have to be fundamentally sound on both offense and defense, and we definitely have to account for him when we're playing defense. He's a kid who can hurt you in a bunch of different ways."

Tonight will be the first time this season the Falcons face a dual-threat quarterback. Wolken leads the Pintos with 674 yards rushing and five touchdowns. He also is 65-of-125 passing for 570 yards and four touchdowns.

"Whenever you play against a team that has a quarterback that can run and throw, then he always becomes the extra player," Walker said. "You're always looking at numbers and trying to give yourself a numerical advantage on one side of the ball, but the quarterback always has the ability to trump that. He can run to either side and he can throw to either side."

Walker said his staff has seen several different formations from the California offense this season. At the Jamboree, the Pintos used a pro split-back veer. Since then, Walker said California has evolved to using the two-back gun offense, which it used last week in a 48-25 loss against the Southern Boone Eagles.

The Pintos have also used a triple option, a zone option and a lead option, any of which gives Wolken the chance to throw on the go, run on a keeper or make a pitch, usually to running back Cory Friedmeyer, who has 441 yards rushing and two scores.

"We'll have to make sure that we're prepared for all of those," Walker said.

Blair Oaks has forced opposing offenses to become dependent on their passing game more than they are accustomed to doing. Since the start of conference play, Tri-County Conference team are averaging just 23 yards rushing against the Falcons. Last Friday, the School of the Osage Indians gained 59 yards on the ground in the Falcons' 40-16 win.

Only Oak Grove has gained more than 100 yards rushing in a game against the Falcons this season.

"We certainly want to make them one-dimensional," Walker said. "In order to do that, you've got to be fundamentally sound across the front and you've got to make sure you're playing with gap integrity.

"But at the end of the day, you've also have to win your one-on-one battles and you've got to control the line of scrimmage."

California's defense has allowed 22.4 points per game. Prior to giving up 48 points against Southern Boone, the Pintos were allowing just nine points per game in conference play.

"They have been improving each and every single game," Walker said. "It's certainly a team that we're going to have to be prepared for."

Senior linebacker Sam Kirby leads California with 51 tackles (30 solo). Wolken, a linebacker on defense, is second with 39 tackles (24 solo) and sophomore linebacker Kyle Riley has 37 tackles (22 solo).

Wolken is also tied for the team lead with two interceptions, joined by junior cornerback Kyle Hofstetter.

"It's not often you see a high school team where the quarterback is arguably the best offensive player and arguably the best defensive player," Walker said. "We have to be conscious of where he's at."

In last week's win against Osage, Blair Oaks had a balanced offensive attack. Jake Van Ronzelen led the rushing game with 21 carries for 180 yards and two touchdowns, while Cody Alexander caught eight passes for 122 yards and one touchdown. Alexander also had a rushing score in the game.

Nolan Hair threw for a career-high 293 yards on 26-of-37 passing. For the second straight week, Blair Oaks gained more than 500 yards of total offense.

"Each week, we hone in a little bit more on what our strengths are offensively, and how best to utilize those kids to get them the ball," Walker said.

Walker said the final score was a bit deceiving on how close California played with Southern Boone. The Eagles had two kickoff returns for touchdowns in the first half and held just a 20-19 lead against the Pintos when the fourth quarter began.

"Southern Boone got a couple pass plays on them and slowly pulled away," Walker said. "We've got to be prepared for California's best game. I'm sure they'll come out and play their best game against us.

"We just have to be fundamentally sound in all three phases in order to give ourselves a chance."

III

Notes: Blair Oaks continues to hold the No. 2 ranking in Class 3 in this week's Missouri Media Rankings. However, the Falcons only received one first-place vote, down from the two they received last week. Blair Oaks is one of seven undefeated teams remaining in Class 3. Blair Oaks has won 18 straight regular-season games, including 16 in a row since Walker became head coach. The Falcons' last regular-season defeat came in a 21-10 loss Oct. 3, 2014, against the Pintos. With a win against California, Blair Oaks can clinch at least a share of the Tri-County championship.

Blair Oaks at California

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Related article: California set to host Blair Oaks in Tri-County rivalry game