<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=17NmU7_1GxH9wI000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=17NmU7_1GxH9wI000" width="1630" height="806" ><figcaption>Carter Hayes, Justin Ehlers, &amp; Carson Jager, Sergeant Bluff-Luton</figcaption></figure>(Sergeant Bluff) -- Two of Class 4A's most balanced teams will collide in the UNI-Dome on Thursday afternoon as unbeaten Sergeant Bluff-Luton looks to continue its perfect season against Carlisle in the state football semifinals.The Warriors (11-0) will meet the Wildcats (11-0) at 4:00 PM in Cedar Falls, with Trevor Maeder and Tom Moore providing live coverage on KMA-FM 99.1.Sergeant Bluff-Luton enters the matchup with the second-best scoring defense in Class 4A, allowing just 10.1 points per game, while its offense ranks fourth at 37.0 points per contest.Carlisle brings similarly impressive numbers, ranking third defensively at 10.5 points allowed per game and fifth offensively at 35.9 points per game.The Warriors punched their ticket to the UNI-Dome with a hard-fought 28-17 victory over Glenwood in the state quarterfinals, using another powerful rushing performance and timely defensive plays to secure their spot among the final four.Sergeant Bluff-Luton head coach Justin Smith credited the Rams for providing a difficult challenge while praising his team's ability to finish strong."Cory Faust does a great job down there at Glenwood, had those kids ready to play hard, and it was a heck of a good football game," Smith said. "Congratulations to them on their season and us moving on one more, a chance to play one more game. So proud of our kids, too."After a competitive opening half, the Warriors leaned on their physicality to gain the upper hand."I thought we continued to be physical throughout the game," Smith said. "I thought at the end, we were still probably the more physical team. For two quarters, it was back and forth, that's for sure. But I think in the second half, we were able to continue that a little better."That physical approach was especially evident in the running game. Sergeant Bluff-Luton piled up 327 rushing yards on 50 carries, averaging 6.5 yards per attempt against the Rams.Emmet Kneifl rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, while Carson Jager added 111 yards on just 11 attempts.Quarterback Justin Ehlers contributed 31 rushing yards and two touchdowns while throwing for another 45 yards. Carter Hayes chipped in 38 rushing yards and a touchdown.The balanced rushing attack has been a defining characteristic of the Warriors throughout the season, brought on by necessity. Sergeant Bluff-Luton has now rushed for 2,949 yards and 43 touchdowns, with 10 different players recording at least 10 carries.Jager leads the way with 673 yards and 10 touchdowns on 90 attempts, but the Warriors have demonstrated an ability to turn to several different playmakers. That depth has been particularly important as Sergeant Bluff-Luton has dealt with injuries throughout the season.Smith noted that the Warriors recently lost another receiver, but other players have continued to embrace expanded responsibilities."We lost a receiver a couple of weeks ago that wasn't able to play last week, and some kids stepped up into that spot," Smith said. "Emmet Kneifl and Carter Hayes have been playing a lot of really good football for us, two-way players now. And Jacobi Cofield getting back healthy has given us a new dimension and a playmaker there at the wing spot as well."The Warriors have also been outstanding defensively. Against Glenwood, Aden Konopasek led the team with 6.0 tackles, including four solo stops.Kneifl recorded 2.0 tackles for loss as part of a six-TFL effort by the Sergeant Bluff-Luton defense. Hayes and Ehlers each intercepted a pass, helping the Warriors contain a Glenwood offense that had enjoyed a strong postseason run.Now, Sergeant Bluff-Luton faces another physical opponent with plenty of offensive weapons.Carlisle quarterback CJ Haug has thrown for 1,289 yards and rushed for another 667, accounting for 21 total touchdowns. Running back Carter Berg has rushed for 999 yards and 16 touchdowns, while receiver Hayden Schulte has accumulated 858 receiving yards and 11 scores.Berg is also a standout defensively, leading Carlisle with 86.0 tackles and 8.0 tackles for loss. Isaac Burk has added 7.5 tackles for loss, giving the Wildcats multiple disruptive defenders.Smith sees several similarities between the two teams, particularly in their offensive philosophies."It's kind of like looking in the mirror a little bit," Smith said. "They run some old-school sets like we do, and they're going to get off the ball and get downhill and attack the line of scrimmage. Really well coached. They've got a good power game."The matchup also presents the challenge of a shortened preparation week, with the Warriors transitioning from Friday's quarterfinal to Thursday's semifinal.Smith emphasized the importance of efficient practices, focused film study and contributions from the scout team as Sergeant Bluff-Luton prepares for another trip to the UNI-Dome.With the season reaching its final stages, the Warriors must balance preparation with keeping their players fresh.Ultimately, Smith believes the matchup will be decided by the fundamentals that have carried his team throughout its unbeaten season."It's blocking and tackling," Smith said. "They're a physical, smash-it-in-your-face type of team, and we're going to try and do the same thing. It's going to be a heck of a game."Sergeant Bluff-Luton (11-0) faces Carlisle in the Class 4A state semifinals Thursday at 4:00 PM at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Trevor Maeder and Tom Moore will have the call on KMA-FM 99.1.Listen to the complete interview with Coach Smith in the audio file below.</div></body>

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(Sergeant Bluff) -- Two of Class 4A's most balanced teams will collide in the UNI-Dome on Thursday afternoon as unbeaten Sergeant Bluff-Luton looks to continue its perfect season against Carlisle in the state football semifinals. The Warriors (11-0) will meet the Wildcats (11-0) at 4:00 PM in Cedar Falls, with...

Sergeant Bluff-Luton ready for physical battle with Carlisle in 4A semifinal

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(Sergeant Bluff) -- Two of Class 4A's most balanced teams will collide in the UNI-Dome on Thursday afternoon as unbeaten Sergeant Bluff-Luton looks to cont

Sergeant Bluff-Luton ready for physical battle with Carlisle in 4A semifinal

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