<body><div>The Jackson County Central football team breezed through its first four games of the regular season.But now things get a bit tougher for the Huskies.JCC outscored its first four opponents 230-21, but those four teams are a combined 3-13 overall.JCC’s final four opponents are currently 13-3 combined, including a pair of currently unbeaten teams in Luverne and Pipestone to end the regular season.The tougher stretch starts this week as the Huskies travel to Redwood Valley (3-1).The Cardinals started the season with three straight wins before losing 28-6 at Pipestone last week.“They’re definitely the best team we’ve seen so far,” JCC head coach Tom Schuller said of the Cardinals.Senior quarterback Ethan Louwagie leads the Redwood offense, which will line up in a variety of formations.“They’re going to throw a lot of stuff at you,” Schuller said. “Their base is a double-wing spread. You’ll see a lot of trips and a couple varieties of empty.”Louwagie is accurate and has experience at the position.“He throws really well, especially on the run,” Schuller said.Louwagie’s favorite target is 6-foot, 3-inch senior Ryder Crawford (No. 17). The two combined for the Cardinals’ lone touchdown last week.Slowing the Cardinals starts with a strong push from the defensive linemen, which has been one of the Huskies’ many strengths this season.“It starts with winning up front, which we’ve done so far,” Schuller said. “We have a decided advantage with our front four. That’s going to make his job a lot tougher.”Schuller expects Louwagie to use a lot of three-step drops and try to get the ball out of his hands quickly. He thinks the Cardinals will also use tunnel screens to help slow the JCC pass rush.“They’ll do anything to get their athletes out in space,” Schuller said.The Cardinals use a 4-2 defense with a lot of man coverage.One key for the Huskies is getting their starters more reps in the game.Last week, most of the starters were out of the game before the first half ended. They haven’t taken many snaps in the second half all season.That’ll change this week, regardless of the score.“We need to get our starters some work,” Schuller said. “They have to play into the third quarter, no matter what. They’re not getting enough time for our starters right now. It’s a great concern to have, but it’s a concern.”Schuller said the team is excited for what should be its closest game to date.“We’re looking forward to it,” he said.</div></body>

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Schedule stiffens as Huskies enter second half of season

The Jackson County Central football team breezed through its first four games of the regular season. But now things get a bit tougher for the Huskies. JCC outscored its first four opponents 230-21, but those four teams are a combined 3-13 overall. JCC’s final four opponents are currently 13-3 combined,...