Back to superiority for Sigourney-Keota

SIGOURNEY - He's the coach, but Mark Schilb has been the one doing most of the learning.

The Sigourney-Keota head coach junked the school's infamous single-wing offense when he arrived from Perry three years ago. Last season, he decided to bring it back, even though he didn't know much of anything about it.

"Nothing about it," Shilb said with a chuckle. "I'm from Clarinda. Then at Graceland (College), we ran more of an old Nebraska-style power offense. I just remember being at the UNI-Dome for the playoffs one year watching it and going 'What the heck is this?'

"Now I'm coaching it."

You've got to give Schilb credit for recognizing the unique offense works at S-K. It's taught at all levels.

For those who don't know, the single wing features three backs in a shotgun formation. The "spin back" takes the snap and spins, either handing the football to one of the other backs, keeping it himself or passing it. Sometimes the snap goes directly to one of the other backs.

It's an offense predicated on deception and one that hall of fame coach Bob Howard implemented and used to great success at Sigourney and Sigourney-Keota before taking off for Webster City. The Savage Cobras won state championships in 1995, 2001 and 2005, advancing to the semifinals six other times and the quarterfinals three other times.

S-K finished 5-4 and failed to make the playoffs at all last season. It has been a return to normalcy in 2010, as it takes a 9-0 record into tonight's Class 2A postseason opener against West Liberty.

"We've got a strong senior class. That's the biggest thing," Schilb said. "We've got quite a few of them, and they have provided experience and leadership."

Schilb said his team's offensive line has been very good, opening holes for guys like Andrew Utterback, who leads 2A in rushing with 1,911 yards and 27 touchdowns. He'll miss Wednesday night's game with a bruised knee.

Senior Evan Hammes didn't go out for football last season but has returned and provided 737 yards and 12 TDs. Tanner McClenahan has six touchdowns, three passing.

But this is definitely a team that lives and dies on the ground. Of its 3,357 yards, all but 297 have been on the ground.

"It is what it is," Schilb said of his team's playoff draw. "Don't look ahead, that's been our focus since midway through the season when the media started telling us how good we are. It's one week, one game at a time."