Quick-hitting and run-oriented.

Thatís how Hawley football coach Peder Naatz describes his undefeated team.

Hawley, the section 8 winner, is located between Moorhead and Detroit Lakes on Highway 10.

The Nuggets had a dominating quarterfinal win, beating Yellow Medicine East (YME) at Granite Falls 38-0 on November 11.

Cory Mattson gained 246 yards on 23 carries, Nick Paur had 113 yards on 20 carries, and Jake Grefsrud had 53 yards on 8 carries.

Mattson and Paur are two of the key players on offense, Naatz said, along with quarterback Brady Harms and tight end Grant Aakre. They run a lot of multiple set running formations, with veers and options. Mattson has 1,680 yards this year on 191 attempts. Paur has 954 yards on 130 attempts. The team has rushed for 3,990 yards and passed for 295 yards.

Naatz said his defense plays ìresponsibility-based assignments.î Coaches donít ask the players to do too much, he explained. ìAs soon as you leave your assignment to help someone else, you leave a vacancy,î Naatz said. ìWe try not to have any vacancy.î

The entire defensive line is solid, Naatz said. Three brothers play on it: Jared, Seth, and Travis Peters. ìActually our whole defense is pretty solid,î Naatz added. ìOur pass defense has really come on in the playoffs. Our linebacking has been real solid also.î

The team has 32 interceptions, including four against YME. Andrew VanHavermaet has nine interceptions.

Naatz said he didnít know what to expect against Caledonia. He described the Warriors as a power running team. ìDefensively they fly around and attack the ball. Weíre hoping to exploit that a bit, to make some changes offensively.î

Caledonia coach Carl Fruechte echoed Naatzís description of the Nuggets.

ìTheyíre extremely quick and fast,î Fruechte said. They are well coached too, he said.

The Warriors can expect to see a 4- or 5-man defensive front, Fruechte said. ìI wonít be surprised if they jump into a six man front against us,î he said. Hawley players flow to the ball well, he added.

Stopping Mattson and Paur will be another key, Fruechte said. ìTheyíre quick little buggers.î

Mattson is also an excellent punt returner, averaging 33 yards per return.

Hawley likes to huddle close to line, then jump to line of scrimmage, Fruechte said.

So how do you battle that quickness. ìWeíre going to have to be ready right away, take care of our gaps, and be extremely physical,î Fruechte answered.

It will be a tough game, he said, then added, ìWeíre excited about being there.î

Hawley was ranked sixth in the final AP Class AA football poll. Caledonia was ranked third. They made their last state tournament appearance in 2001 and lost in the quarterfinals.

More on Hawley

Editorís note: Here is some more information on the Hawley team taken from the Minnesota High School League website:

Some important factors in our success this season have been: Great group of kids who have jelled together as a very cohesive team. Lost 9 offensive starters and 8 defensive starters from last years 8-1 team, that lost in overtime to Pierz in the section semis.

ÝSignificant records, statistics, achievements of this team: In the last three years the seniors have been a part of 27 wins against 3 losses.

ÝNoteworthy data on individual players: Cory Mattson, career totals: all purpose: 481 attempts 4681 yards 45 TDs, 9.7 yards per touch. Rushing--410 rushes for 3,355 yards 40 TDs, 8.2 average. Punt returns--35 rets for 706 yards, 3 TDs, 20.2 average. Grant Aakre has been the leading tackler on the top defensive team in the Valley Plains Conference for the last two years.

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