• BY WES BLOOMQUIST - WBLOOMQUIST@VICAD.COM
• Originally published December 5, 2009 at 12:36 a.m., updated December 5, 2009 at 12:45 a.m.

• Class 1A, Division II quarterfinals

  Ganado vs. Falls City, 6 p.m., Saturday at New Braunfels Canyon

GANADO - Mike Rabe didn't hesitate last week calling for a two-point conversion pass in overtime against La Pryor.

"I believe in our football team," said the Ganado head coach. "When I call a play, I know it will work with our guys running it. It was a big call at a big point in the game, and we believed it would work."

It did work and the Indians (13-0) advanced to the Class 1A, Division II quarterfinals for the second straight season with a 29-28 regional win over La Pryor. If the Jacob Benavides two-point conversion reception from Wesley Demicelli had fallen short, the Indians would have lost 28-27.

"They said there were some big eyes in the huddle, but it was a play that we had practiced a lot and one that they were excited to run," said Rabe, whose team plays Falls City (13-0) on Saturday at 6 p.m. at New Braunfels Canyon in a quarterfinals matchup. "You don't get too many chances to do a play like that in a game situation. It all happened so fast for them that they didn't have too much time to think about it."

The quarterfinals game against Falls City is a rematch of last season's 14-7 Indians' win over the Beavers. That doesn't mean the Indians are walking in feeling like it's going to be an easy task.

"We have to go in there and play like we did last year or even better," said Ganado senior Kevin Smith, who has rushed for 785 yards and 12 touchdowns. "You can't just go in there thinking you're going to beat them because you did last year. It's a different year and they're a really good team."

Ganado comes into the game with a three-game winning streak after a disappointing loss to Louise. The Indians received a bye in the bi-district round before beating Bartlett 36-12 in area.

"We kind of struggled to get to the point of playing to our potential, but I think we're there right now," Rabe said. "The last four games, our key players have really stepped it up and played really well for us. You need that in the playoffs."

Falls City, which is coming off a 41-31 regional win over Chilton, could be the Indians' toughest test of the season. The Beavers are undefeated and have shut out their opponents six times this season. The District 31-1A champions outscored the district 206-0 en route to the title.

"They have 11 guys who are flying to the ball on every play," Rabe said. "We have to be able to control the line of scrimmage and attack a couple of points that we think we can."

Falls City is as scary on offense for opponents as it is on defense. The team's lowest scoring output this year has been 25 points and it has scored over 40 points eight times.

Quarterback Will Kirchhoff, the son of head coach Mark Kirchhoff, leads the team with 1,378 yards rushing and has scored 20 touchdowns on the ground. He's also thrown for 1,214 yards and eight touchdowns.

"We haven't seen anyone be able to stop him all year, but that's what we're going to have to do," Rabe said. "They run a great system and he runs it perfectly."

Despite Falls City's unblemished record, Ganado has belief on its side. The team, which was down 21-6 at one point last week against La Pryor, knows it is never out of a game.

"It gives us tons of confidence when you know how much the coaches believe in you," said Ganado sophomore Josh Labay. "We all think we can win."

NOTES: The game will be broadcast on KIOX, 96.1 FM...Game updates can be found at www.victoriaadvocate.com and www.twitter.com/wesbloomquist...The winner will advance to the semifinals against the winner of the Cayuga-Mart game scheduled for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Corsicana.

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