Bettendorf brings history to town

WASHINGTON - Case Field will see a powerhouse high school football team tonight at Case Field and its power results from a stable head coaching position, promoting from within the program and a focus on defense. Bettendorf is an elite Class 4A program with great tradition and culture. They have coaches who have paid their dues before becoming the head man and often those are some of the most successful.

Aaron Wiley spent 11 years as Bettendorf's defensive coordinator and became the head coach in 2008. Wiley has a 119-25 career record.

'I don't know much about Washington,” Wiley said. 'I know they were a playoff team last year and that they return several key players.”

Washington head coach James Harris (13-6 career record) spent time as an assistant with the Demons as a strength and conditioning coach, then was promoted to defensive coordinator before taking over as the head coach for the 2018 season.

'You grow on the edge of our comfort zone and I am sure that's where this game will put us.” Harris said. 'I am very excited for the opportunity to play this Friday. We will have to play our absolute best to be in this game.”

Bettendorf has been among the best since Marv Habenicht first became its coach in 1971 after many years as an assistant at the school. He didn't produce immediate greatness, but the Bulldogs got to the state championship game in 1980 and won the title in 1981, kicking off an extraordinary run with additional titles in 1987, 1988, 1991 and 1992, winning 36 straight games in one stretch and 30 in another.

In 29 years at Bettendorf, Habenicht went 228-72-1. His .782 win percentage is ninth most all-time among Iowa high school coaches with at least 200 wins. After going 10-2 in 1999, his 23rd consecutive winning season, he retired. Habenicht was known for his adjustments at halftime of tight games.

Randy Scott, who had been an assistant for 12 years under Habenicht, succeeded him and won two state championships and finished second twice in his eight years on the job.

Wiley is just the sixth head football coach in Bettendorf history. Bettendorf went 11-1 in his first season, made it to the title game in 2011 and have reached the semifinals the last three years and three straight from 2013-15 and lost in the 2011 title game.

'We are expecting a tough game and our kids understand that they will need to play well,” Wiley said of facing the Demons.

Washington's three previous coaches were Garrison Carter, Randy Schrader and Jason Ganoe. Carter went 29-12 from 2014-2017 with three trips to the playoffs and a trip to the quarterfinals. The 2017 Demon offense led in the state for points per game, yards per game and yards per play. Schrader had a 30-13 record with Washington from 2010-2013 and left after the Demons lost the 2013 title game. Ganoe led the Demons to a 24-15 record and two postseason appearances in four seasons.

All three head coaches for Bettendorf since 1971 have stressed defense. In the five title wins last century, the opponent scored three six, 12, zero, zero, This century's wins were 34-22 over West Des Moines Valley and 21-16 over Ankeny. The loss under Wiley was 17-14.

'They have elite defensive players in Ryan Cole, Griffin Liddle, Kane Schmidt, Diego Cortez and Kaden Klemme,” Harris said.

'We are multiple on offense we run a 4-3 on defense,” Wiley said.

The Bulldogs play a power run game, then have big receivers to throw to, specifically Oliver Bakeris (No. 85).

'I believe they moved a tremendous athlete to quarterback in Tynan Numkena,” Harris said. Numkena, who is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior, played receiver last year. He was second on the Bulldogs in catches with 30 for 356 yards and three touchdowns.

Washington plays a pistol spread offense and runs a multiple defense.

'I expect us to be excited to play, but to also make Week 1 mistakes,” Harris said. 'We can't let one mistake become two.”

Bettendorf did not have a game for either of the first two weeks until securing tonight's game with Washington last week after the derecho storm caused Marion to withdraw from its matchup with the Demons. Bettendorf still does not have a Week 2 opponent.

'I'm happy to have a football game and am excited to play at Washington,” Wiley said.

Harris expressed much of the same joy.

'I'm thrilled to watch our players play under the Friday night lights!” Harris said. 'This is a great opportunity to get better.”