Maroons Host Roughriders for Home Finale
On the west side of Des Moines, Roosevelt High is hungry for a post-season berth. They have not made the playoffs since 1996. They’ll have a chance to not only inch towards that goal, but to also spoil Dowling Catholic’s senior night.
The Roughriders and the Maroons will meet for a Class 4A District 2 game Friday night as the CISN Game of the Week, presented by CenturyLink.
Dowling (6-1 overall, 3-0 district) has a 1-game lead in the district race over Johnston and Lewis Central, both at 2-1. Roosevelt is tied with Sioux City East at 1-2. The next two weeks for the Roughriders (3-4, 1-2) are crucial. A win against Dowling and Lewis Central will build their case for the 4th playoff spot from District 2. But that is all contingent on Sioux City East losing one or both of their final games (vs. Des Moines North and at Johnston).
Running back Martavian Hall (136 rushes, 735 yards, 9 touchdowns) and receiver Jordan Johnson (28 receptions for 451 yards and 3 touchdowns) lead the Riders. Quarterback Michael Settle is 70-120 for 907 yards, have thrown for 5 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Prince Krah, Harley Davidson, and Logan Hoile lead the Riders’ defense with a combined 50 tackles between them.
Dowling looks to close out their home portion of the season undefeated and send out senior stars Ryan Boyle, Max Morris, Jo Jo Jok, and others with a bang. Sophomore Cole Deskin and senior Max Kasap has kept the Maroons’ rushing game in sync with Boyle after replacing an injured Isaiah Patton. Kasap has rushed 31 times for 233 yards and Deskin carried the ball 51 times for 288 yards.
The Dowling defense hasn’t missed a beat, even with Max Morris being out for the last two games, giving up a combined 16 points.
Can the Roughriders “Cowboy Up” and get a program-defining win over Dowling, or will the Maroons send their 39 seniors out in style with another dominating performance?
Who: Des Moines Roosevelt (3-4) at #3 West Des Moines Dowling Catholic (6-1)
Where: Valley Stadium, West Des Moines, Iowa
When: Friday, October 17, 7:30 pm kickoff (freshman play first)
The Facts: Last week, Dowling defeated Johnston 50-13, while Roosevelt handled Des Moines North, 51-0. Roosevelt and SC East are tied for third in the District 2 race at 1-2. This will be the first meeting between both teams since September 18, 2009, when Dowling defeated Roosevelt, 63-0.
Things to watch:
- Will Roosevelt put it all together for a program-building win?
- Will Dowling have a let down or ease off the pedal for Senior Night?
- Speed makes a difference and will the Rough Riders run past the Maroons?
- 39 Dowling seniors have only lost once the last two years on varsity.
Des Moines Roosevelt – Project Starting Lineups
Offensive starters – QB Michael Settle, RB Martavian Hall and Zayne Smith, WR Jordan Johnson and Daniel Luckett, TE Luke Donnelly, T Sunday Deng and Brock Stillmonks, G Jack Rollison and John Hawkins, C Anderson Ruble
Defensive starters – Luke Donnelly DE, Victor Wong DT, Nick Ballard DT, John Hawkins DE, Tanner Murray OLB, Chance Slinger LB, Nathaniel Bolden LB, Dane Vobrich OLB, Prince Krah DB, Daniel Lucket CB, Logan Hoile S.
Special Teams: P Luke Sutherland, K Caleb Shudak, KO Return Caleb Shudak and Main Thomas
Dowling Catholic – Projected Lineups
Offensive starters – QB Ryan Boyle; TB Max Kasap, FB Gray Gochenour; SE Eric Fardal; FL Charlie Schulte; C Cole Wymore, G Joe Brett and Kevin Vaughn-Carber, T Elijah Swehla and Conner McPhee, TE Ben McNeal
Defensive starters – FS Nick Wilson, CB Dante Campero and Michael Zachary, LB Kevin McMurray, Ross Otte, Rodney Harris, and Gray Gochenour; DE Brawnte Wells and Jo Jo Jok; T Ross Carpenter; NG Quinn Sonntag,
Special Teams- P/K Nick McLellan, Holder Frankie Mauro, LS Quinn Sonntag, PR Michael Zachary, KR Joe Gorsche
We’ll go on the air live on Central Iowa Sports Network (centraliowasportsnetwork.com) with the pregame at 7p CDT and the kickoff at 7:30 pm.
Join Paul Yeager, Taylor Bennett and Jim Kirby for the call of the game. You can follow us on Twitter @CISportsNet for game updates throughout the evening
Our Scheels Audio Game of the Week is a great one with Dar Danielson calling the Valley Tigers traveling to Ankeny Centennial for a match up with the Jaguars. Our partners at High School Cube will have the live online stream of other area games of interest and we’ll be offering links to games in eastern Iowa as well through QC Sports Net.
