ACH Warriors peaking at start of playoffs

COULEE CITY — Better late than never.

The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors football team may have hit its stride at just the right time heading into their Class 1B District Crossover contest set for tonight at 7 p.m. against visiting Touchet.

Head coach Brandon Walsh said his ACH squad (9-1) may be playing its best ball at the most opportune time as they gear up to host the Indians with the state quarterfinals in sight.

“We’re kind of peaking at the right time,” Walsh, who led the Warriors to the 2007 state title, said. “It feels like we’re playing good right now in all fazes of the game. I think our running game is the area where we’ve really gotten better over the course of the season and I like how our line is working. That’s probably our catalyst.”

Having qualified for the playoffs for a fourth-straight season, the Warriors, who finished second in the Northeast 1B League behind unbeaten Cusick, have won four straight contests, including two consecutive 46-0 wins.

To add fuel to their current momentum ACH will begin post season play on their home turf where they have a 5- 0 record on the  year.

“It is nice, obviously since we’ve played pretty well here,” Walsh said.  “I’ve had different coaches tell me they don’t like playing at our place but its not a facilities issue but its just that our kids play better here.”

Over the course of the season ACH has out scored their opponents 472-219 and have been led offensively by the running attack of senior Dylan Tipps and junior Cody Jess.

Tipps recorded about 1,100 yards on the ground, Walsh said, and both running backs lead the team in receiving as well.

Sophomore Derek Isaac continued to grow into the quarterback spot as well.

“He’s starting to excel at making the right reads and making those good decisions,” Walsh said.  “If he continues that we will have success running the football.”

Walsh believes that in the season’s later stages of 8-man football, having a strong running game is tantamount to increasing one’s chances for winning.

“Once you get in the playoffs and go against good athletes every week you have to control tempo and do that with a running attack,” Walsh said. “We have good speed in the backfield and we’ve been blessed with good athletes, which in eight-man football, if you can line up eight good athletes you have a chance to win.”

The Warriors’ defense may be key in ensuring a win over Touchet, which comes in having lost its last two games by a combined 74 points.

“I feel like we have a pretty good defense and as much as we talk about our offense for us to have success our defense is going to have to perform,” Walsh said. “With a wide-open field we may run up against three teams in a row (if they advance) that throw a ton starting (tonight). So we will have to be disciplined in our assignments and make sure we have good pressure on our quarterback and the strength of our defense is our front three.”

That front three includes the rotating lineup of ends  Jess, Kody Dillon, and Shawn Pope and nose tackle Reid Ashley.

It is that line that may book passage to the 1B quarterfinals beginning on Nov. 20.

“I think (Touchet) can do a few things with play action that we’re going to have to be heads-up on,” Walsh said. “Up front, with our lines, we outsize and outman them so we’re going to try take advantage of that.”