Tigers host Blackhawks with first place on the line

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The unstoppable force vs. the immovable object.

North vs. South.

Goliath vs. Goliath.

Simply put, it will be the Heart O’ North Football Conference “Game of the Year” tonight when Bloomer travels to Maple to take on Northwestern at Tiger Stadium.

Bloomer enters the game 4-0 and 2-0 in the HON. The Blackhawks have averaged 30.8 points per game and given up only an average of three points per game.

The Blackhawks are led by talented quarterback Alex Koehler, who is 30-of-46 passing, and talented running backs Malcom Wankel and Matt Dachel. The Bloomer line is huge with 6-foot-5, 294-pound tackle Matt Bowe as one of the more impressive bulldozers up front and 6-5 tight end Grady Loew is a dangerous receiver.

Northwestern, also 4-0 and 2-0 in the HON, counters with a lineup comprised of a number of third-year starters. Speedy Kevin Derick is averaging 13.8 yards per carry, Ryan Miesbauer has gained 363 yards while playing less than half of the time and T.J. Polkoski has scored nine touchdowns already even though he doesn’t start on offense.

Quarterback Steve Perry has favorite targets Lee Brown (6-3) and Tyler Forsythe (6-4) to loosen up the defense. Turkish foreign exchange student Meral Eray is 11-for-13 in extra-point kick attempts.

The Tigers are ranked No. 4 in the latest Wisconsin Sports Network Division 4 poll while Bloomer is ranked No. 5. In the Associated Press poll, NHS is ranked eighth in the Medium Division and Bloomer is an honorable mention pick.

None of the above matters much once 7 p.m. rolls around when the game will be won or lost on the turf. Expect a big crowd, and fans are encouraged to arrive early to ensure a good seat.

TIGER TALES: Hayward is also 2-0 in the HON (3-1 overall). The Hurricanes are the defending conference champions and are at Chetek (1-3, 0-2) tonight. Northwestern travels to Hayward on Oct. 22.

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