The McCook Central/Montrose Fighting Cougars (6-3) hit the road to Elk Point, S.D., on Thursday, Oct. 29, for a critical Class 11B quarterfinal showdown against the No. 1-seeded Elk Point-Jefferson Huskies (9-0). Kicking off at 7 p.m., the matchup offers MCM a second opportunity to dethrone the top-ranked team in the state, a chance they are eager to seize after a dominant 41-14 opening-round victory over Chamberlain. The stakes are high, with a win securing a semifinal berth and keeping the Cougars’ postseason run alive against a squad that finished as state runners-up last year.
No. 8 seed aims to correct early-season upset in high-stakes Class 11B quarterfinal
This contest serves as a direct rematch of the Aug. 21 season opener in Salem, a game the Huskies won 28-13 but which was far tighter than the final score suggested. Elk Point-Jefferson held only a slim 14-13 lead entering the fourth quarter after a missed extra point kept the Cougars within striking distance. MCM head coach Mike Garry acknowledged the difficulty of the task, stating, “They’re really good across the board. They’re the No. 1 team for a reason.” However, Garry emphasized his team’s resilience, noting that the Cougars have proven they can compete with elite opponents and feel confident in their current form.
The Huskies enter the game undefeated and chasing another trip to the DakotaDome, presenting a formidable challenge for the No. 8 seed. Despite the disparity in seeding, the Fighting Cougars view this as a pivotal moment to validate their season. With the momentum from their recent win and the lesson learned from their narrow loss in August, MCM aims to execute a disciplined performance to upset the top seed and advance to the Class 11B semifinals.
Source: Yahoo Sports
