TRL Football – Week 3 Preview
11-Man Division:
Jayhawk-Linn (2-0, 1-0) @ Oswego (0-2, 0-0)
The Oswego Indians come into their annual contest against Jayhawk-Linn with an 0-2 record. The Indians have faced stiff competition over the first two weeks of the season, playing 4A-DII Baxter Springs and 3A Neodesha. With only five seniors on the 2017 squad, Oswego is relying on many underclassmen in many key spots. Freshman running back Chase Evans has led the Indians on offense, rushing the ball for over 115 yards on 33 carries, while also scoring three touchdowns. Head Coach Justin Hurley and his football team will look to right the ship by earning their first win of the season.
Jayhawk-Linn enters Friday’s contest against the Indians 2-0. Coming off of a thrilling win in week one against Neodesha, the Jayhawks blanked rival Uniontown, 36-0 in week two. Jayhawk-Linn has won thirteen of their last fifteen games, with their only two losses coming in the District Playoffs to Osage City and St. Mary’s Colgan. A season ago, the Jayhawks routed Oswego, 46-0, on what would become a 9-1 season. Senior running back Harley Stone is entering week 3 coming off two impressive games, including an 180 yard, 2 touchdown explosion against Uniontown. The pre-season favorite to win the Three Rivers League 11-Man division, Jayhawk-Linn looks to stay perfect on their season, and move to 2-0 in the league.
Uniontown (1-1, 0-1) @ Northeast-Arma (0-2, 0-1)
Norteast-Arma is looking to pick up their first victory since October 9, 2015, when they defeated the Southeast Lancers. A season ago, the Vikings finished their season 0-9, including a 25 point loss to Uniontown. Head Coach Phil Hobbs will look to lean heavily on their leader in all-purpose yards for the Vikings, Senior running back Donovan Anderson. Northeast-Arma will aim to end their fourteen game losing streak, and jump into a tie for second place in the TRL on Friday night.
Uniontown enters their second full season of being an 11-Man football team. The Eagles had previously been an 8-Man football team from 2012 through 2015. Jeremy Neville is entering his first year as the head coach of the Eagle’s football team. Neville takes over a young team that only has four seniors on its active roster. Friday, the Eagles will look to improve to 2-1 on the season and remove the bad taste of the 36 point loss they suffered a week ago at the hands of Jayhawk-Linn. The question remains, how will this young Eagle team respond after being blanked by Jayhawk-Linn? With a win, Uniontown would not only match their win total from a season ago, but would move into a tie for second place in the TRL.
Yates Center (1-1, 1-0) @ Northern Heights (0-2)
Currently sitting in second place in the TRL, Yates Center will step out of the TRL play Friday night, when they travel to Northern Heights. The Wildcats enter this contest 1-1, after defeating TRL opponent Northeast-Arma 20-14 a week ago, while Northern Heights comes into the contest losing their first two games of the season. In 2016 Northern Heights dispatched Yates Center 38-6, but 2017 looks to be a different story as Northern Heights has been outscored 86-12 by their opponents through two games. Led by eleven upperclassmen, Yates Center will vye for back-to-back wins for the first time since 2015.
8-Man Division:
Greenfield, MO. (3-1) @ Marmaton Valley (2-0, 2-0)
The Marmaton Valley Wildcats will step out of the state of Kansas Friday night, as they host Greenfield, MO. In a match-up where both teams are nicknamed the “Wildcats,” Marmaton Valley will look to be the ones to “run wild” on Friday night. While Greenfield has certainly had more practice time and two more games under their belt, Marmaton Valley cannot help but to feel confident. Both of Marmaton Valley’s first two contest have ended at halftime by way of the mercy rule, beating Chetopa 68-0 and Crest 50-0. Explosive plays have propelled the Wildcats to their 2-0 start. In their first contest, Senior running back Trevor Wilson gained over 185 yards on the ground and punched the ball into the end zone three times. Marmaton Valley will look to improve to 3-0 on the season, and achieve their best start to a season since 2012.
Frankfort (1-1) @ St. Paul (2-0, 2-0)
Coming into the season, expectations for the St. Paul Indians were high. They had just won the Three Rivers League 8-Man Division title, and were returning most of their roster from a season ago. Thus far, the Indians have not disappointed. Entering Friday night’s contest, St. Paul is 2-0, winning their first two games by a combined score of 80-8. Also, St. Paul has won twelve of their last fourteen contests dating back to the 2015 season. Frankfort’s football team comes into the contest 1-1, but having lost last week 46-0 at the hands of Clifton-Clyde. Led by Sophomore running back Adam Albertini and Senior quarterback Braven Born, the Indians will look to continue their 8-Man dominance and show off their offensive firepower against Frankfort.
Waverly (1-1) @ Crest (1-1, 0-1)
The Crest Lancers will enter their showdown with Waverly sitting at 1-1 on the season. The Lancers dismantled Blue Valley Randolph 70-34 in week one, but then were defeated 50-0 by Marmaton Valley in week two. The Lancers know not to take Waverly lightly, as a year ago they were dealt a 44-6 loss at Waverly’s hands. Year in and year out Waverly has fielded a competitive football team, and this year is no different. Per usual, many fans are expecting another high scoring 8-Man contest. Head Coach Brandt Miller will look for his Lancers to bounce back in week three, and move to 2-1 on the season.
Marias des Cygnes Valley (0-2) @ Pleasanton (0-1, 0-1)
In week two, the Pleasanton Blu-Jays’ football team enjoyed a rare bye-week in high school football. They enter Friday’s game sitting at 0-1, after losing to a tough St. Paul team, 32-8. Marias des Cygnes Valley comes into this contest 0-2, after being outscored 82-8 in their first two games. A season ago, Pleasanton dispatched Marias des Cygnes 58-8. Led by big play quarterback Kaden Mckee, the fresh Blu-Jays will look to break into the win column for the first time on the 2017 season, when they take on Marias des Cygnes Valley Friday night.
Chetopa (0-2, 0-2) @ Altoona-Midway (0-2, 0-0)
Altoona-Midway is in the middle of a tough stretch of football, not having won a game since the 2011 season. However, the Jets come into this game riding the momentum of their highest scoring game since that last win in 2011. Head Coach Robert Dickerson will try to implore his team to a victory this Friday night, which would mark the first victory in over six seasons. The Jets will look to improve to a perfect 1-0 in the TRL and 1-2 on the year.
Having won two games in each of the last two seasons, the Chetopa Hornets will look to regain their winning ways. After being outscored by 116 points in their first two contests this season, Chetopa looks to refocus as a group. A season ago, the Hornets defeated Altoona-Midway 56-6. Head Coach Jaunc Bradshaw will look for his team to refocus after their previous two games, and start fresh in week three. Chetopa will look to earn its first victory on the season on Friday night.