Here's what Northern State football has to do to get a 'signature win' against Mankato

After there were no football games in Aberdeen last week, Northern State, Aberdeen Central and Aberdeen Roncalli are all at home this weekend.

Central plays Mitchell at 7 p.m. tonight at Brownell Activities Complex, while Roncalli meets Mobridge/Pollock at the same time at Dacotah Bank Stadium on the Northern campus. It's homecoming for both teams.

Then, at 6 p.m. Saturday, the Wolves host Minnesota State, Mankato at Dacotah Bank Stadium.

A victory over the Mavericks would be a signature win for Northern, and coach Mike Schmidt understands that.

"This would be the biggest win in a long time for this program," he said.

More: Northern State can't overcome offensive mistakes in 13-6 NSIC loss at Wayne State

The Wolves want wins against the rulers of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, including Mankato, Augustana, Minnesota-Duluth and Sioux Falls. They toppled the Cougars last season, but haven't had much recent success against the others.

"Until you beat them, you're just another team," Schmidt said.

Last season, Mankato rallied late and beat the Wolves in overtime in Minnesota.

Northern has another crack Saturday. Here's what Schmidt said his squad will have to do get over the top against the No. 24 Mavericks.

Slow Mankato wide receiver Jalen Sample

Mankato lost running back Kaleb Sleezer, perhaps the best back in the NSIC, and starting quarterback Hayden Ekern to injuries in a season-opening 37-34 NSIC victory at Bemidji State, Schmidt said. That leaves wideout Jalen Sample is the biggest offensive threat.

Stopping him is easier said than done. He's the Mavericks top returning receiver and so far this season is averaging 13.36 yards per reception with two touchdowns.

Schmidt said keeping Sample out of the end zone will be key.

Connect on big plays

Schmidt said the Wolves need some "explosive" plays to be successful, especially passes downfield. There haven't been too many of those yet this fall.

More: Wolves defense does its job, shuts out Upper Iowa: Northern State football takeaways

Throwing downfield has been a struggle, and the quarterbacks need to be more effective and efficient in that area, he said.

Wide receivers aren't going to be wide open against the Mankato defense, but the Wolves have size with receivers who are 6-foot-3, 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-5 and should be able to go up to catch passes.

The running backs also have to break some tackles for big gains, Schmidt said.

Last week, Wayne State had one big offensive play for a touchdown and the Wolves didn't. That was the difference in a 13-6 NSIC loss, he said.

More: Northern State's Dacotah Bank Stadium settling, but no safety concerns, project team says

"In a low-scoring game it's going to be about execution," Schmidt said. "And we were in one of those last week and we failed."

Shore up the kicking game

Kicking field goals and extra points has been a bit of an adventure so far this season. Saturday against Wayne State, placekicker Payton Eue made field goals of 33 and 34 yards, but missed kicks of 31 and 32 yards.

Eue has missed four field goals, one of which was 51 yards, and an extra point in two games after being dependable last season when he tied an NSIC record for field goals made in a season with 14.

That needs to be shored up, Schmidt said, and Eue has to work through a mental block. He has to get comfortable, the coach said, and that means finding his confidence.

Be 'desperate for a win'

To get the signature win the Wolves are seeking, they have to play with some degree desperation, Schmidt said.

That encompasses a lot of things, including converting on the big plays he previously mentioned.

But there is more the Wolves will have to do Saturday against the Mavericks. Four turnovers against the Wildcats were critical. Michael Bonds threw two interceptions and Will Madler another. Northern fumbled three times, though recovered two of them. Those issues need to be eliminated.

Neither Northern quarterback is likely to have a lot of time to throw this weekend because the Mankato defensive front is great, Schmidt said. But the passers still need to find open receivers, and the offensive line will have to hold up.

The return of offensive lineman Jake Howard from injury should help. At 6-foot-3, 270 pounds, the junior from Onida is a handful.

More: How Northern State's football team plans to improve after hanging with NSIC's best in 2021

Schmidt said getting running back Stanley Haskins, Jr., a Britton-Hecla graduate, involved will also be important because he has a great skill set.

The Mavericks defense is hard to attack, and the team has made the big plays Northern hasn't this season, Schmidt said. That includes an interception, recovered fumble and blocked punt that have been returned for touchdowns.

In other words, the Wolves have be prepared for about anything against one of the best teams in the conference.

More: Northern State University plans expanded beer sales at football games this season

Northern is 1-1 with a 30-0 season-opening win against Upper Iowa. Last weekend, Mankato downed Minnesota-Duluth 17-10 to move to 2-0 with wins against some of the top competition in the NSIC. In the season opener, the Mavs beat Bemidji State 37-34 on the road.

A look at the two games involving Aberdeen high schools follows.

Aberdeen Central vs. Mitchell

Central will look for its first win of the season tonight. The Golden Eagles lost 18-13 Saturday in Sturgis to fall to 0-3.

After starting the season against the best two teams in Class 11AA, the rest if the schedule should be less taxing for the Eagles. Still, they need to find their footing. They've given up 107 points while scoring just 28.

More: Kretchman's 3 touchdowns lead Roncalli; Central falls in closing minutes: Football roundup

While running back Karson Carda rushed for more more than 140 yards last week and Drew Salfrank added another 60, the passing game struggled. In the closing moments against Sturgis, the Eagles had a chance to pick up a road victory, but incomplete passes and penalties foiled the opportunity.

The Kernels (1-1) got thumped by Yankton 45-6 in their season opener before downing Sturgis 36-22 on Sept. 3. They did not play last weekend.

A homecoming win could boost the Golden Eagles, who have winnable games against Eastern South Dakota Conference foes Huron and Watertown in the weeks to come.

Aberdeen Roncalli vs. Mobridge/Pollock

Defense and the running game have been the strengths for Roncalli so far this season, and there's no reason to think that will change against the Tigers.

The Cavaliers (4-0 and receiving votes in the Class 11B poll) finally return home after three straight road victories, including a 70-0 triumph Friday against a Dakota Hills team that simply couldn't compete and has yet to score this season.

Things will be tougher tonight with Mobridge-Pollock (3-1). The Tigers opened the season with convincing victories against Webster, Dakota Hills and Wagner before falling 21-20 to Redfield Friday.

Nolan Gall scored from four yards out with seven seconds to play, and the Pheasants converted on the extra point to seal the win.

More: Football scoreboard: Roncalli D fuels 14-7 win; Kienholz's 7 TDs too much for Central

Roncalli is the only undefeated team left in the Northeast Conference race, but Mobridge/Pollock, Deuel and Redfield are still in the mix. A win against the Tigers would leave the Cavs with a favorable NEC schedule down the stretch, but a nonconference game with Rapid City St. Thomas More (3-0 and ranked No. 4 in 11B) looms on Oct. 1.

This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Aberdeen Central, Roncalli, Northern State have home football games