It’s in place and moving forward at Indee

By Jeff Linder, The Gazette

Brandon Krusey is a builder. A rebuilder.

But after a successful seven-year run at North Tama and a reconstruction at Grundy Center, he faced his stiffest challenge yet:

Independence.

'There were a lot of things that were out of place,” Krusey said. 'But the kids did a wonderful job buying in. Independence has hard-working kids that were willing to build something.”

Construction had its biggest payday yet on Friday. The Mustangs blanked No. 2 West Delaware, 10-0, at home in a Class 3A District 3 shocker, moving to the brink of their first playoff appearance in 29 years.

'There have been a lot of down years around here, a lot of coaching turnover,” Krusey said. 'There hadn't been a lot of confidence in the program.”

Before Krusey's arrival, the Mustangs had won two games in the previous five years. The improvement has been steady: 3-6 in his first season, 4-5 last year.

Despite a long string of losses to West Delaware (including 55-13 last year), the Mustangs (5-3 overall, 4-2 3A-3) believed their day had come.

'They came out confident and played physical football,” Krusey said.

Nicholas Holt returned a fumble 60 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to put the Mustangs in front 7-0, then Mark Thompson - who kicked a game-winner against Charles City earlier this season - connected on a 35-yard field goal with 8 minutes left to make it 10-0.

A goal-line stand in the final 2 minutes sealed it.

West Delaware (7-1, 4-1) was without Coy Roussell with an injury, and quarterback Brent Lammers went out with an ankle injury in the first quarter.

Indee finishes the regular season with a non-district game at Maquoketa. The Mustangs qualify for the playoffs if Charles City loses to Waverly-Shell Rock or if Decorah loses to West Delaware or wins by 11 points or less.

SORTING IT ALL OUT, PART I

All of the playoff qualifiers have been determined in Class 2A District 3. Next week is about putting them in order.

Dyersville Beckman's 20-0 win over New Hampton created a four-team glut at the top. The Blazers (6-2 overall) and the Chickasaws (6-2) both are 4-1 in district play, as are Center Point-Urbana (6-2) and North Fayette Valley (7-1).

The four teams are involved in two Week 9 showdowns - CPU is at Beckman, New Hampton at North Fayette Valley - and any of the four could win the district, depending on next week's outcomes and head-to-head tie-breakers.

SORTING IT ALL OUT, PART II

In the event of a three-way tie, Cedar Rapids Xavier will win the Class 3A District 4 title, based on point spread.

The Saints have a district points margin (with a 13-point maximum per game) of plus-51, followed by Solon (plus-39) and Western Dubuque (plus-15). The three teams have beaten each other in head-to-head play, and all are favored to win next week.

SORTING IT ALL OUT, PART III

Despite a 1-7 overall record, Cedar Rapids Kennedy remains in control of its destiny for a 4A playoff spot.

The Cougars (1-3 in 4A District 5) are in if they defeat Waterloo West (3-5, 2-2). At minus-2, Kennedy has a point-differential advantage on the Wahawks (minus-7) and Cedar Rapids Jefferson (4-4, 2-2, minus-5).

Jefferson's surest (though least likely) path to the playoffs in a win over Linn-Mar (7-1, 4-0). The J-Hawks can qualify with a loss if West beats Kennedy or if it's a three-way tie at 2-3 and their point total is better than West's.

WINNERS TAKE ALL

Four games next week match the top two teams of their district and will determine the champion.

* Iowa City West (5-3, 3-0) hosts Pleasant Valley (5-3, 3-0) in Class 4A District 7.

* The area's biggest riser this season, Anamosa (7-1, 4-1) is at Cascade (7-1, 4-1) in 2A District 4. Anamosa had lost 26 straight games before embarking on their current seven-game win streak.

* Pella Christian (6-2, 4-1) is at Iowa City Regina (7-1, 5-0) in 1A District 6. The Regals are four-time defending state champions.

* Montezuma (8-0, 6-0) is at BGM (7-1, 6-0) in Class A District 7.

ALL WRAPPED UP

Eight area teams have sewn up district titles - Linn-Mar (4A-5), Cedar Rapids Washington (4A-6), Clear Creek Amana (3A-5), Williamsburg (2A-5), Union (2A-6), West Branch (1A-5), Maquoketa Valley (A-5) and Elkader Central (8-Man-4).

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@sourcemedia.net