By Rich Winter

605 Sports

If history has taught us anything, Friday's game between Todd County and Red Cloud for the All-Nations A Division Championship should be a dandy.

Long before the start of the All-Nations Football Conference in 2019, the Falcons (10-0) and Crusaders (9-1) were regular season opponents and played some great games against each other. 

“No matter the year you can throw out the records because this is always a hotly contested game,” Bob Kornely, Todd County coach said. “The kids play really hard against one another, there are good quality athletes on both sides of the ball and that always elevates the level of play.” 

The Falcons advanced to Friday’s championship game with a 28-24 win over Winnebago, Nebraska, a team that defeated the Falcons in the 2021 A Division championship game. Kornely feels like last year’s championship appearance is a big reason the Falcons are undefeated this season. 

“Getting there generated some excitement and we got some kids out this year and our numbers have improved,” he said. “Our boys have worked really hard and we’ve just been playing Falcon football and doin things the right way.” 

The Falcons feature a bruising rushing attack that churns out 242 yards per game. 

Sophomore Ty Valandra has rushed for 1,059 yards and 12 touchdowns. Rocky Wiedman, a 6-foot, 230-pound specimen, has 363 yards and eight touchdowns. 

Rocky Wiedman is an intimidating force on both sides of the ball for the Falcons - Rodney Haas - 605 Sports

Sophomore Ray Crow has emerged as the Falcons starting quarterback. The 5-foot-8, 145-pounder has four touchdown passes and has rushed for 243 yards. Versatile senior Sayge Yellow Eagle is the Falcons top pass catcher and is a threat to score on punt and kick returns. 

On defense the Falcons give up just over 10 points per game. 

“Our defensive line has set the tone all season,” Kornely said. 

The long-time Falcon coach said his linebacking group of Stacy Eagle Bear-Poignee, Robert Antoine, Michael Rodgers and Ty Valandra is among the best group of linebackers the program has ever seen. 

The Falcons and Crusaders did not meet during the regular season but Kornely has seen enough tape to know his team faces an explosive opponent on Friday. 

“They have four or five guys that are super quick,” he said. “Everyone they play can score points. Hopefully we can limit them defensively. We can slow them down but they are going to get their big plays.” 

For Red Cloud, this is its first appearance in an All-Nations championship game and Red Cloud coach Art Vitalis said reaching the DakotaDome is huge for his football program. 

“It is big for us to make it to the big stage and really important for our kids to play in the spotlight of the DakotaDome,” Vitalis said. “The idea of the All-Nations Conference was to get more kids involved and I’m looking forward to seeing how this impacts the program.” 

The Crusaders are averaging 46 points per game and have a number of players that can impact a game. 

Quarterback Nate LeBeaux has 969 yards passing and 20 touchdowns for the season. Senior Adriano Rama always takes snaps at quarterback and Vitalis likes having two guys he can depend on. 

Quarterback Nate LeBeaux has 20 passing touchdown for Red Cloud - Photo courtesy of Amanda Carlow
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“We kinda get a feel for what’s working and who is more comfortable,” Vitalis said. “It is different for each game and they both do really well and that makes it easy.” 

Josiah Cottier, a 6-foot, 163-pound senior, is one of the most dangerous weapons in the All-Nations league. Cottier has 1,083 yard rushing, 715 receiving yards, 300 return yards and leads the Crusaders with 28 touchdowns.

Rama, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound senior, makes an impact on both sides of the ball and is a player Vitalis said is crucial to winning football. Rama has accumulated 1,280 all-purpose yards and scored 14 touchdowns. 

“You can’t have a championship caliber team without a player like him,” Vitalis said. “He’ll play any position and no matter where he is he’ll find a way to make an impact.” 

Senior Jules Ecoffey has 622 all-purpose yards and leads the Crusaders with 110 tackles. 

Jules Eccoffey leads the Crusaders with 110 tackles and is one of the top receiving threats on the 2022 team - Photo courtesy of Amanda Carlow

While the Red Cloud players are playing in the DakotaDome for the first time Vitalis doesn’t think his players will be intimidated by the big stage. 

“I tell them before every game that it is normal to be nervous before every game,” he said. “We want to embrace that feeling and harness it and use the energy in the right way.”