DVD Game Film

 Bettendorf (9-0)

vs. Dubuque Hempstead (8-1)
  
“A fistfight with rules” is probably the best way  to describe this contest—recently  transferred from 16mm film into DVD format—between two great football  programs.  In one corner stood the Mustangs of Dubuque Hempstead—the  1979 and current defending Class 4A state champions—whose methodical  Wing-T offense, led by running back Greg Dralle, was complemented by a  bruising defense anchored by linebacker Jason Crews. In the opposite  corner was the up-and-coming Bettendorf Bulldogs who not only finished  the regular season unbeaten for the first time since 1966, but also  first-time ever qualifiers for the Iowa High School Football Playoffs.   The Bulldogs were led by quarterback Jeff Stelk who utilized receivers  Tom Roberts and Todd Uhde just as efficiently as ball carriers Al Tudeen  and Randy Holcomb gained yards on the ground—and their defense was  a wrecking crew with guys like Hap Peterson, tackle Tom Ackerson, and  back Wayne  Perkins leading the charge.  Both teams went toe-to-toe with one another  in such a ferocious manner that to decide a winner, the game was forced  into overtime.
 

 Bettendorf (11-0)

vs.  Newton  (11-0)
  
For the first time since the inception of the  playoffs in 1972, two undefeated teams met in the 4A Championship Game  when #1-ranked Bettendorf and #2-ranked Newton played in front of a  then-record crowd at the UNI-Dome.  Both teams featured highly recruited  college players:  a senior-dominated Bettendorf team featured standouts  QB Jeff Stelk and NG Hap Peterson whereas Newton—who started 5 juniors  on both offense and defense—countered with RB Treye Jackson and LB Steve  Morris.  This match-up marked  the debut of Bettendorf, led by coach Merv Habenicht, in the 4A title  game.   Originally broadcast on Iowa Public Television and recently transferred  from  Betamax format to DVD, this film features pre-game interviews and  analysis.   Certainly, this 4A Championship Game was the first of two classic  match-ups  during the 80’s between traditional powerhouse programs despite three  1st  half turnovers that proved to be the difference in the game.

Bettendorf (9-1) 

vs. Cedar Rapids Washington  (10-0)

As the story goes,  when the Warriors of Cedar Rapids got off the bus in Bettendorf, they  proudly—and rightfully so—carried their #1 ranking and perfect 10-0  record with them.  However, they also all were wearing brand new indoor  shoes—bought in advance for the state championship game the next week.   Whether they were being arrogant, disrespectful, or just plain  oblivious, the point was well-taken:  Washington was good and they knew  it.  Offensively, the Warriors were led by quarterback Brad White whose  main targets were Bill Happel and Kyle Akers while defensively, end  Billy Johnson, lineman Brian Braxell, and linebacker John Bechfield led  the charge.  The Bulldogs were well-aware of their opponent’s strengths,  however, Bettendorf knew something that the Warriors seemed to  disregard:  they, too, were pretty darn good.  On offense, the Bulldogs  could just as easily move the ball on the ground with running back Randy  Washam or through the air via Mark Walker’s arm to tight end Mark  Spranger—either way, offensive linemen Jeff Bakeris, Brian McCracken,  and Doug Waidelich would get the job done.  Defensively—well, the  Warriors had yet to meet the likes of end Brett Kuebler, linebacker Bob  Picchiotti, and back Tom Horak who would show them that underestimating  them proved costly.
 

Bettendorf (10-1) 

vs. Mason City  (10-1)

Respect—that's  what this game was all about.  Both teams entered the 4A championship game  in a similar fashions  with convincing 1st Round victories over tough conference opponents.   However, in the Semifinals, both teams met top-ranked opponents and were  "supposed" to lose (but didn't):   while Bettendorf defeated a #1-ranked and undefeated Cedar Rapids Washington  squad (that had grossly underestimated them), Mason City knocked off an  unbeaten, #2-ranked WDM Dowling team in overtime.  Thus, the title game  banter billed the contest as "UnderDAWGS vs. Underdog" and  speculated that  the match-up could be simplified as "Bettendorf's passing game vs. Mason City's  running game."  However,  this street-brawl was much, much more:   for the Mohawks, it was about silencing the critics who didn't believe they  belonged in the game and for the Bulldogs, it was about proving to themselves  that as a team, they could win the first state championship in school history.
 

Bettendorf (11-0) 

vs. W.D.M. Dowling  (10-1)

Six years—that’s  how long it took Bettendorf to return to the 4A title game after their  1981 victory over Mason City, 21-3, for the first state championship in  school history (and third appearance overall).  Dowling, on the other  hand, was making their fifth title game appearance since the inception  of the playoffs in 1972 but had always come up short; their previous  four losses were by 6, 5, 4, and 3 points each, respectively.   Bettendorf’s unbeaten record was the result of its methodical offense  led by fullback Clint Watkins who, with the help of tackle Joe Judge and  guard Brad Schoenfelder, cleared the path for tailback Greg Brown who  would be challenged by a Dowling defense spearheaded by noseguard Chris  Tallman and back Toney Mycks.  On the other side of the ball, the  Bulldog’s defense would need the play of end Adam Bergeron,  tackle Steve McCall, and noseguard Mike Woolverton to disrupt a Maroon  passing attack led by quarterback Bob Cataldo and receiver Marcus  Bumpus.  Also included in this DVD is the induction of Bettendorf Head  Football Coach Merv Habenicht  into the Iowa High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame during halftime  ceremonies (accepted on his behalf by Mrs. Evelyn Habenicht).

Bettendorf (12-0)

vs. Newton (12-0)

It was predicted  at the start of the 1988 season that these two team would meet in the state championship—and  depending on which poll you read, both were ranked as the #1 team in  Class 4A. Certainly, this game's juggernaut-like hype was warranted:  both teams were top-ranked, unbeaten, featured [returning] All-State  tailbacks, and had blue collar defenses.  Oh yeah, to up the stakes even more, Bettendorf was not only the  defending 4A  champion, but they also had a 24-game winning streak on the line.  The  result? Well, let's just say that Bettendorf "owed" Newton for beating  their "Golden Boys" back in 1980—and  in this version of ThunderUNIdome, two teams entered unbeaten but only would  leave that way... and it would be the team that wore the Black and Gold.
 

Bettendorf (8-0)

vs. Burlington (8-0)

“Clash of the  Titans”—that’s what this contest was billed as in the hype leading up to  game.  For starters, Bettendorf was rated #1 by both the Coaches Poll  and Des Moines Register while also appearing on the “Teams to Watch”  list by USA Today whereas Burlington was ranked #3 by both outlets.  The  Bulldogs also had the top-ranked 4A defense that only allowed a total  of 187 yards/9.6 points per game and it was anchored by ends Ken Koehler  and Eric Doerder, noseguard John Elkin, linebacker Matt Rebro, and  backs Jim Kerker, Chad Fors, Bill Dockery, and Matt Brown.  However, the  Grayhound’s offense—headed by quarterback Scott Clawson, running back  Jeff Oleson, and receiver Anthony Harris—was potent and was best  illustrated by the fact that they were #1 in the M.A.C. and #2 in the  state in both total yards (315) and points (34.1) per game.  On the flip  side, the Dawg’s offense—#2 in the M.A.C. and #3 in the state—averaged  34.0 points and 290 yard per game and was powered by the legs of  bruising tailback Tony LaMarre who was aided by fullback Eric Arguello’s  blocking and quarterback Matt Ulrich’s arm.  The Grayhound’s countered  with a rugged defense fronted by noseguard Chad Riley and back Jason  Roberts.  A standing-room only crowd of 7,000+ spectators packed  TouVelle Stadium on Friday, October 27th to see the regular season  finale to witness which team would be the very last Mississippi Athletic  Champion of the 1980s.  Also included is the special bonus video and  news feature about Head Coach Merv Habenicht entitled,  “The Legend of Hab”.
 

Bettendorf (11-0)

vs. Linn-Mar (10-1)

For nearly three  straight seasons, including the playoffs, Bettendorf forgot how to lose  and in the process, won back-to-back state championships and compiled a  36-game winning streak—which, even in the latter part of the first  decade of the 21st century, is still the longest winning (not non-losing  which includes ties) streak in Class 4A.  The ‘89 Bulldogs sought to  establish their own identity; ranked #1 the entire season by both the  Coaches Poll and Des Moines Register—as well as earning a spot on USA  Today’s “Teams to Watch” list—they steamrolled to an 11-0 record while  passing several tests that validated their #1-ranking:  a 17-0 victory  over Davenport North established their defense; a 34-12 smashing of  then-ranked #3 Burlington for the M.A.C. Championship legitimized their  crown; and a 16-7 come-from-behind victory over #8-ranked Iowa City High  in the Quarterfinals of the 4A playoffs demonstrated their raw spirit  to win.  However, the Lions of Linn-Mar were not to be underestimated  and possessed a dangerous offense that would test the #1-state rated  Bettendorf defense while Bettendorf’s offense would need to play perfect  to beat a tough-as-nails Linn-Mar defense.  In the end, even a scrappy  Bulldog defense playing with everything they had couldn’t stop Destiny  from taking its course.  Also included is the bonus video,  "Beast from the East:  The Best of the 1989 Bettendorf Defense". 

Bettendorf (10-2) vs.

Sioux City Heelan (11-1)

Believe it or not,  although Bettendorf eventually wound up as the 4A state champions in  1991, as conference rankings go, they didn’t even place in the top  1-2-3!  A unique situation created a three-way tie for the M.A.C. crown  and because of early season losses to Burlington and Clinton, Bettendorf  placed as the fourth “best” team in the conference behind M.A.C.  champion Assumption as well as the two teams they lost to.  However,  because the Bulldogs defeated  tye Knights of Assumption, they earned a playoff berth—which is all they  need to make a run at the state championship.  Bettendorf had a  plethora of outstanding players that included offensive linemen Keith  Lucier and Eric Lyons who cleared the way for tailback Tavian Banks  while defensively, end Pat Bateman and tackle Jed Orgill stifled  opposing offenses.  After a 31-15 1st Round victory over Assumption they  blasted Burlington, 55-17, in the Quarterfinals (and thus avenged a  13-15 opening-game  season loss) while also putting the squash on Dubuque Wahlert, 41-9, in  the Semifinals to reach the 4A title game where they met Sioux City  Heelan.  The Crusaders—no strangers to the title game with victories in  1975 & 1982 along with three runner-up finishes—were led by   offensive lineman Dave Sudbach who paved the way for shifty running back  Nick Harrington.  Heelan’s defense was also rock solid and countered  with a stingy defense led by lineman Jon LaFleur.  In the end, one play  would make all of the difference in this game.
 

Bettendorf (10-0)

vs. Iowa City High  (10-0)
  
Some say, “This was the greatest Iowa high school football game ever played...” while others called this game,  “The 1992 state championship before the 1992 state championship.”  Either way, this contest was indeed a classic for all-time.  On one  side there was Bettendorf—the defending 4A state champion and winners of  17-straight games—who not only had [returning] all-state running back  Tavian Banks (who later would play at the University of Iowa and in the  NFL) grinding out yardage like there was no tomorrow, but also a  supporting cast that included offensive linemen Corey Ryan and Brent  Kock, linebackers Eric Hoch and Mike Sage, and defensive end Chris  Lensing.  Opposing the Bulldogs were the Little Hawks of Iowa City who also had   their own version of Banks in that of speedster Tim Dwight—also a future  Iowa Hawkeye and NFL veteran.  The Little Hawks also had a stifling  defense, not to mention home field advantage.  The previous two meetings  in the Quarterfinals between these teams resulted in Bettendorf  victories—a 33-0 thrashing in 1988 and a 16-7 brawl in 1989—but this  game proved to be much different when Iowa City jumped out to an early  14-0 lead.   Also known as the "Banks vs. Dwight" game, what happened next was  probably: “This was the greatest Iowa high school football game ever played...”
 

 Bettendorf (12-0)

vs. W.D.M. Valley (12-0)

On paper, this  match-up appeared like a classic heavyweight fight.  In one corner there  was the Bettendorf Bulldogs, a more-than-intimidating opponent who were  not only the defending state champions and winners of 19-straight  games, but also had tailback Tavian Banks—who, after 12 games, had  rushed for over 2100 yards.  Leading up to the title game, the Bulldogs  outscored their opponents 410-95 and was anchored by lineman, Corey  Ryan, a mammoth 6’7”, 260 pound tackle.   The Dawgs were bolstered by a  defense that—on eight occasions—limited their opponents to a touchdown  (or less) and were led by end Chris Lensing and linebackers Mike Sage  and Eric Hoch.  However, a formable opponent stood in the other corner  in the form of the West Des Moines Tigers; undefeated through twelve  games, Valley outscored had their opponents, 355-161, and were led by  the arm of quarterback Chad Griffith—a 2000+ yard passer—whose main  targets were Jamie Genesser, Matt Sammier, and Brian Tessau.  The  Tiger’s also had Tyler Peterson, a near-1000 yard rusher with 18  touchdowns.  However, everyone watching this game knew it would come  down to whether or not the Valley defense—led by tackle Toby Fischer and  linebackers Brent Scheideman and Grant Clark—could stop Parade  All-American Tavian Banks from turning a state championship football  game into his own personal track meet.  In the end, this fact would be  clear to all who witnessed the game:  there is no substitute for speed.
 

  Bettendorf (10-1)

vs. Iowa City West (11-0)

Bettendorf fans  were treated to yet another exciting football season when the ‘98  Bulldogs took the field.  The Dawg’s offense was led by quarterback Mike  Miller who—by the end of the season—passed for over 1800 yards and 17  touchdowns.  Miller’s main targets were receivers Rick Eisenlauer and  Justin Siefken and the passing game was complemented by a strong running  attack led by tailback Tyler Tisue—a 1000+ yard rusher who scored 21  touchdowns by the season’s end.  Add in an accurate place kicker like  Justin Langan, along with Rick Eisenlauer who returned both punts and  kickoffs, and Bettendorf’s offense was a scoring machine.  Defensively,  the Bulldogs were rock-solid with guys like end Weston Kieschnick,  linebacker Alex Bribriesco, and backs TJ Stoffer and Dave Yoder leading  the charge.  After a 6-0 blitzkrieg start, a 31-46 loss to Davenport  Assumption in Week 7 was eventually avenged with a 35-28 win in the 1st  Round of the Playoffs followed by a 44-6 thrashing of Cedar Falls in the  Quarterfinals.  However, in the Semifinal Round, the Bulldogs met the  likes of the Iowa City West Trojans, undefeated after 11 games and on a  mission to win a state title.  On offense, the Trojans were led by  lineman Jeff Gordon, running back Chris Richardson, and place kicker  Nate Kaeding whereas the defense was spearheaded by end Nick Lewis,  linebacker Jason Brown, and back Steve Pfaller.  A thrilling game, this  contest was a nail-biter and although both teams’ offense and defense  played a large part in the outcome, in the end, was decided by a special  teams play.