UMHB has reached the NCAA Division III playoffs five consecutive seasons and is in the national semifinals for the third time during that stretch.
A win against defending national champion and nemesis Wisconsin-Whitewater (12-1) at noon Saturday at Belton’s Tiger Field will send Pete Fredenburg’s Crusaders (12-1) to Salem, Va., for their second Stagg Bowl in five years.
Cove is in the playoffs for the fifth straight season and has advanced to at least the fourth round four years in a row in recording a total of 50 victories.
If Jack Welch’s Bulldawgs (13-1) beat Wylie (12-2) in a Class 5A Division II state semifinal at 6 p.m. Saturday at Waco ISD Stadium, they’ll play in a state final for the third consecutive season.
Despite the fact that UMHB competes in the NCAA’s smallest division and Cove’s in the largest classification for Texas high schools, they have many things in common. Among them is that each program has reached its ultimate game but fallen just short of bringing home the ultimate prize.
UMHB advanced to its first Stagg Bowl in 2004, but Linfield (Ore.) pulled out a 28-21 victory over the Crusaders, who’ve been determined to get back to Salem ever since.
Cove got all the way to the 4A Division I state title game in 2006 and ’07 but came up short against San Antonio Alamo Heights and Rosenberg Lamar Consolidated, respectively, leaving the Bulldawgs even hungrier to capture their first state crown.
Among the teams’ other shared characteristics:
- Their formula for winning centers around an effective running game on offense and strong, aggressive play on defense.
Fredenburg has steadfastly said that nothing is more demoralizing for a defense than an inability to stop the run. That’s why the Crusaders possess a rushing-paced offense - mixing between-the-tackles power with option plays around the edges - and a smothering defense whose priority is to stop the run, thereby making offenses one-dimensional.
Meanwhile, the Bulldawgs have built their juggernaut by developing explosive running backs (along with mobile quarterbacks) and producing defenses with sturdy players up front and sure-tackling, ball-hawking performers behind them.
- Both programs have proved that they can survive the graduation of great players.
UMHB safety Josh Kubiak was the American Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 and ’06. After he departed, Jerrell Freeman stepped up last year to become the ASC’s top defender, and this season fellow senior linebacker Eric Henri succeeded Freeman by emerging as the conference’s best defensive player - with senior safety and Temple graduate Derrick Williams not far behind.
At Cove, the Bulldawgs have gotten enough from a pair of junior quarterbacks to overcome the loss of dynamic QB Robert Griffin, the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year at Baylor. As stellar as all-state linebacker Tanner Brock has been for three years, Cove likely will find a way to avoid losing much at his spot after he heads to Texas Christian.
- The teams’ coaches have constructed model programs from the ground up by focusing on fundamentals and surrounding themselves with talented assistant coaches.
When UMHB created its football program in 1997, it charged former Baylor defensive coordinator Fredenburg with leading the effort. Helped by ultra-experienced assistants such as Corky Nelson and George Haffner and up-and-coming young coaches such as current DC Larry Harmon, the Crusaders were contenders by 2000 and have seven playoff berths in eight years.
Cove was a longtime lightweight - zero playoff trips since 1960 - when ex-college coach Welch arrived in 1994. He defeated Temple on his first try, guided the ’98 Bulldawgs to the third round and, bolstered by loyal coordinators Tracy Welch and Reb Brock, has transformed Cove into one of the state’s premier big-school programs.
By the way, Fredenburg’s son Cody (2000-03) and Welch’s son Josh (2004-07) were standout quarterbacks for the Crusaders.
- They haven’t had to go far from home during this season’s playoffs.
UMHB has enjoyed a Mount Union-style postseason - four consecutive home games, including Saturday’s semifinal rematch with Wisconsin-Whitewater. Four years ago the Crusaders had to win four straight playoff games on the road to reach the Stagg Bowl.
Meanwhile, Cove again has made Waco its home away from home. Saturday’s battle with Wylie will be the Bulldawgs’ fourth playoff game at Waco ISD this season and their 12th postseason game in Waco (where they’re 10-1) in the last four years.
One more thing UMHB and Cove have in common: You can drive a short distance to watch both play Saturday. And if both teams prevail, each will be only one victory away from its ultimate prize.
gwille@temple-telegram.com
