Last year, the Statesmen Football team left Lacey complex victorious in a upset win against rival Grand View University. This big win was made even sweeter by the tradition started back in 2008 by the two teams. Tradition states that each season, the winning team of the William Penn vs Grand View game receives a trophy, the Rock and Ladder trophy. The trophy is kept for a whole year, until the two teams meet up again to battle it out the next season. The Statesmen football team is looking to repeat the win that happened nearly a year ago, bringing the Rock and Ladder trophy home to Penn for the second year in a row.
Head Coach Todd Hafner said the will to win between both squads is intense. “Players on both sides hate losing this game and this just adds to the intensity. Coach Woodley and I are close friends, but we want to beat each other.”
The rivalry game is always something to look forward to, as fans pack the stadium and cheer on their schools. “The rivalry game in all sports is something special and everyone from current players to alumni want to win these rivalry games,” said Hafner.
Sophomore Defensive Lineman Dan Mindermann said he believes the Rock and Ladder trophy has great importance. “The trophy means pride and honor, holding on to this trophy makes us proud to be Statesmen. And its also a huge confidence booster going into the next season.”
“This game is different because it shows who the top NAIA powerhouse football team is here in Iowa,” said Mindermann.
He says he is motivated to play his best to honor the seniors in their last game. “I want to go out on top for these people that have had such an impact on my life and make sure the trophy stays with us.”
With the Rock and Ladder trophy being a tradition since 2008, the Statesmen are 3-6 all-time in competition against Grand View, including last years win at Lacey Complex. In last year’s game, the Statesmen defeated the Vikings by a score of 33-14.
Junior Defensive Lineman Kevin Rusler agrees that it’s more than just another game. “It’s upsetting that it’s our last game of the season since we’re out of the playoffs but going up against Grand View is nice because we can ruin their season, and it also shows the heart we have as a team. We need to go out there and play no matter what the circumstances are.”
While the game for the Statemen is more about pride and honoring the seniors who will be taking the field for the last time, the stakes are higher for Grand View. The Vikings need to win this weekend for a chance of an at-large bid into the Football Championship Series, where only 6 teams are invited to participate in the playoffs.
Junior Offensive lineman Zach Tracy, has strong feelings about Grand View’s opportunity to make the playoffs and what this game means to him.
“Our goal is to step on their field as if it’s our own. We want to ruin their season before they realize they even had a chance,” Tracy said. “The meaning behind this game is huge, not only for the Rock and Ladder trophy, but also as a last battle with the men who were here before me. This week’s practice has been more intense than the usual, it almost feels like were playing for the Superbowl.”
Head Coach Todd Hafner also mentioned this week’s practice as special. “Knowing it’s the last game for our seniors has added to a heightened level of preparedness,” said Hafner, “We’ll give them the game plan and then watch to see if they execute the plan and play hard.”
Senior Slot Back Jesse Bade is looking forward to this last matchup, leaving nothing behind. “I am feeling a ton of emotions, from being excited, to anxious, even sadness, and the fear for what’s to come after. I am excited to take the field with my brothers one last time”
Winning last years Rock and Ladder trophy in an amazing late-game comeback, Bade said was one of the best days of his life. “Coming in with a low chance to win and beating them the way that we did was incredible, but this year’s emotions will definitely be a lot different, win or lose”
Bade is thankful for the years he’s played as a Statesmen, referring to the football program as a family, “I know that on any given day, through the worst and the best of times, I have coaches that love me unconditionally, and guys that aren’t just teammates but brothers, I’d give anything for this program and I’m blessed to be a Statesmen.”
The Statesman travel to Williams Stadium, located just south of Grandview University, on Saturday, September 10. Game time is 12:00PM, and a livestream can be found at: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/grandview/
The Statesmen Status 