By Jim Bastian

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM — It has been 15 years since the New Ulm High School football team won three straight games.

But going into Week 4 of the local high school season, New Ulm can accomplish that Friday when it travels to Worthington to take on the Trojans in a South Central District, Red Subdistrict game.

Also Friday, New Ulm Cathedral hosts Wabasso in a Southwest District, East Subdistrict game at Johnson Field.

On Saturday, Minnesota Valley Lutheran hosts Murray County Central at Johnson Field in another Southwest District, East Subdistrict game.

All games have a 7 p.m. kickoff.

NEW ULM HIGH SCHOOL (2-1) AT WORTHINGTON (0-3) 7 P.M. WORTHINGTON

The last time that the New Ulm Eagles’ football team won three straight games came in the 2004 season when New Ulm ran off consecutive wins over Fairmont (27-20), Blue Earth Area (22-11) and then defeated St. Peter 36-24.

The Eagles are coming off of their second straight win, a 28-24 win over Maple River, while Worthington lost to Sibley East 12-0.

“Their offense is a lot like Maple Rivers was in that they will use four or five wide receivers,” New Ulm coach Eric Kauffmann said. “They run out of the shotgun pistol — their quarterback is not a big runner like Maple Rivers’ was. They use one back, but they just want to throw the ball and if they do run it is simple basic stuff.”

Kauffmann said that the practices this week may well mirror what they did in practice for Maple River.

“And I think that defensively they will play a similar defense to what Maple River did.”

Kauffmann said that Worthington has played teams this year that his team has not.

“So it is hard to compare to who we have played and who they have played. We will prepare like we always do.”

Kauffmann also said the Trojans receivers are bigger than Maple Rivers were and don’t look too fast.

Kauffmann said that the Eagles offensive game plan is simple.

“We want to run the ball and control the clock” he said. “Keep the ball as long as we can.”

That means getting junior running back Cole Ranweiler the ball and let him do his thing behind an offensive line that has dominated in recent weeks. The last two games, Ranweiler has totaled 457 yards and seven rushing touchdowns.

Four games into the season, Kauffmann has continued concerns about his team’s lack of depth especially late in games.

“We were pretty beat up and tired after Maple River, but the kids are in good condition. Depth is a concern when other teams are platooning and we can’t because of a lack of numbers.”

Kauffmann said that when playing on the road, it is important to get that first score and get a lead. He is hoping his team can do that and put pressure on Worthington right away.

WABASSO ( 2-1) AT NEW ULM CATHEDRAL (1-2) FRIDAY 7 P.M. JOHNSON FIELD

New Ulm Cathedral head football coach Denny Lux said that the Rabbits bring an experienced team to this meeting.

“They had a number of sophomores playing last year and they have gotten better and are a solid football team,” he said. “They look similar to last year’s team both on offense and defense. The big thing for us is that we have to be really strong on our tackles. They have a good running game off tackle, and defensively they are strong up front, so we are going to have to maintain our blocking schemes and get into the hole quicker.”

Lux said that the Rabbits “have the whole package in speed and good size up front.”

While Wabasso is primarily a running team, they will set up the pass with success on the run.

“They have taken their shots downfield, so we need to be aware of how they are trying to set up that long pass,” Lux said.

Lux also said that his defensive backfield needs to play smart and let the front eight work on the run.

“We do not know what we are from them defensively, so we practice against all kinds of fronts. This is a game where we are going to have to be disciplined.”

MURRAY COUNTY CENTRAL (2-1) AT MINNESOTA VALLEY LUTHERAN (0-3) SATURDAY 7 P.M. JOHNSON FIELD

The Chargers and the Rebels have something in common.

Both lost by relatively the same scores in their meetings with Springfield. MCC lost 35-0 to the Tigers last week, while the Chargers dopped a 36-0 game to Springfield two weeks ago.

“They like to power the ball,” Chargers coach Jim Buboltz said. “They like to run and when they get you on the run then they will hit you with a play-action pass. But they like a physical brand of football — there is no doubt about that. We played them in the Section (3A) semi-final last year.”

Buboltz feels that the Rebels resemble New Ulm Cathedral.

“They try and pound the ball at you and then play-action over the top. They have a bunch of different formations that they will try.”

Buboltz said that his team needs to find that consistency on first downs.

“We were more consistent in the second half with that in the game with Cathedral last week.”

Focus will be key for the Chargers down the stretch.

“We need to focus on the remainder of the year on what we need to do and not necessarily on what our opponent does. We will get better that way,” Buboltz said.

“We are only a couple of plays away from being 2-1 right now. Our guys have to realize that. Our guys are hungry for a win.”