Dynamic backfield accentuates West Delaware offense

West Delaware appears equipped to give opposing defenses fits again.

It helps to have a potent offense paced by a quarterback and running back capable of stockpiling yards in a flash.

'We like to get out and go at a high tempo,” West Delaware quarterback Max Ridenour said. 'We don't stop moving.”

The Class 3A fourth-ranked Hawks weren't slowed down in their opener, tallying 590 total yards in a 50-12 win over Western Dubuque last week. West Delaware will look to continue the gaudy numbers at home against Maquoketa (1-0) Friday night in Manchester.

'We had a great opening game,” running back Coy Roussell said. 'We are getting better. We have stuff we need to work on.”

The idea has to be scary for opponents. Ridenour is back under center, replacing all-stater Brent Lammers. He was a signal-caller as a sophomore, but spent last season as an all-purpose player, catching passes, running the ball and playing defense.

All he did was open with 288 passing yards and four touchdowns, adding 31 rushing yards and a score. West Delaware Coach Doug Winkowitsch said he didn't think his team threw a pass after halftime.

'Going into the season we were confident he would take over,” Winkowitsch said of Ridenour. 'We weren't sure it would be at this level.”

Ridenour made a smooth transition, completing five of his first six passes. Interestingly, he's more relaxed with the ball in his hands every play, guiding the offense.

'It's a lot better,” Ridenour said. 'I'm not nervous this year. It's fun being in charge.”

Winkowitsch is thrilled with how Ridenour has made reads and how much he has progressed, noting he spent a lot of time during the summer throwing to teammates.

The Hawks have some big targets to throw to in the passing game. John Nagel is 6-foot-6, Sam Maloney is 6-4 and Tyler Kelley is 6-3. Maloney had 198 receiving yards and three TDs against the Bobcats. Nagel added 59 yards and a score. Owen Ward, a 5-8 scat back, had 31 yards.

'The 6-footers can get open easy,” Ridenour said. 'It makes it easy to get the ball to them.”

Another luxury the Hawks have is an outstanding rush attack, spearheaded by Roussell. He ran for 186 yards, 8.5 per carry, and two scores.

'That 1-2 punch is what we always want,” Winkowitsch said. 'Coy is a relentless back. He did a lot of that on his own.”

The two are close off the field and can feed off one another on it.

'We have a good relationship,” Roussell said.

Roussell entered the season with 2,950 yards, 27 shy of the school's career rushing mark set by Brandon Domeyer (2009-10). He set the record in impressive fashion, running for a 55-yard touchdown on his first carry. He has 3,136 career rushing yards and 39 TDs, which is two back of Domeyer's school mark.

'It was good to be able to get one of my goals,” Roussell said. 'I forgot about it after the game.”

Roussell surpassed 1,700 yards as a sophomore but last year missed much of the season due to mononucleosis. He still had 1,220 yards and scored 16 TDs, but wants more for his team more than anything.

'He is really focused,” Winkowitsch said. 'He has a passion for this game. He doesn't say much. He goes out and does his job.”

West Delaware advanced to the state quarterfinals last season, finishing with a 10-2 record. The Hawks would like to end their season in the UNI-Dome, but they won't look too far ahead of the Cardinals.

'We have to take care of business in the regular season,” Ridenour said. 'Then it is one game at a time in the postseason.”

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