TRL FOOTBALL – WEEK 4 PREVIEW
11-Man Division
Yates Center (1-2, 1-0 TRL) @ Jayhawk-Linn (3-0, 2-0 TRL)
Last Meeting: Jayhawk-Linn defeated Yates Center 38-0 (2016)
After being down 22-0 early in the second quarter against Northern Heights, the Yates Center Wildcats were unable to cut down the deficit, eventually falling 50-12. The Wildcats’ defense surrendered over 340 yards to Northern Heights’ offense, including over 200 yards rushing. However, if there was a bright spot in the loss, Yates Center running back Thayne Smith had an overall good game, gashing the Northern Heights defense with multiple explosive runs. With a match-up against TRL foe Jayhawk-Linn looming, the Wildcats will have to tighten things up on defense to keep the contest close.
Leading Oswego 40-6 at halftime, Jayhawk-Linn cruised to a convincing 48-6 win over the Indians. Again, the Jayhawks were led by their big play offense and their shutdown defense. Running backs Harley Stone, Hayden Broyles, and Blaine Morell all had big contributions in the first half of the game. In their first three games to begin the season, the Jayhawks have outscored their opponents a combined 112-36. Looking ahead to week four, the Jayhawks will look to tighten their hold on the TRL, and move to a perfect 4-0.
Uniontown (2-1, 1-1 TRL) @ Christ Prep Academy (2-1) [Saturday @ 5:00 PM]
Last Meeting: Christ Prep Academy defeated Uniontown 28-0 (2016)
In a game that had multiple lead changes and ties, Uniontown ultimately prevailed over TRL rival Northeast-Arma a week ago, 30-22 in double overtime. The Eagles used timely stops on defense along with their rushing attack to down the Vikings. Running backs Hayden Miller and Gavin Fry both had 2 rushing touchdowns while Jake Harvey returned an interception 70-yards for a score.
Turning to week four, Uniontown will travel to Olathe, Kansas this Saturday to compete against Kansas City Christ Prep Academy. Both of Christ Prep’s wins have been low scoring affairs, 10-3 and 16-12, respectively. Uniontown’s Head Coach Jeremy Neville knows that his Eagle squad will be tested in Saturday’s contest saying, “Christ Prep has some really good athletes. Their line is big, the running backs are fast, the receivers are tall, and the quarterback has a very strong arm. We will have to play well as a unit to win the game.” The Eagle’s will receive a big boost on offense and defense, as starting quarterback and linebacker Andrew Reed returns to the field after being sidelined during the Northeast-Arma contest.
Archie, MO. (2-3) @ Oswego (0-3, 0-1 TRL)
Last Meeting: First known match-up between the two schools.
Oswego had a disappointing outing against the TRL leading Jayhawk-Linn, losing 48-6 last Friday. The Indians lone touchdown of the night came off of a first half kickoff return. Oswego only mustered a total of 65-yards on offense against a stout Jayhawk defense.
The Indians enter Friday’s contest against Archie (MO.) on a three game losing streak while Archie (MO.) enters the game on a two game losing streak. In order to win, the Indians will need a better performance from their offense and defense, as they have been outscored 126-25 thus far this season. Coach Hurley and his Oswego squad will look to earn their first win on the season Friday night.
Northeast-Arma (0-3, 0-2 TRL) @ Belle Plaine (0-3)
Last Meeting: Belle Plaine defeated Northeast-Arma 48-0 (2016)
Coming off a heartbreaking double overtime loss to Uniontown, the Vikings will look to regroup as a unit and earn their first victory of the season. Even in a loss, the Vikings can take some positives from the game against Uniontown. Their offense scored the most points a Viking team has scored in a game since 2015. Also, the Vikings rushing attack had good success against the Eagles. While Northeast has lost fifteen straight games, they are close to breaking into the win column. Coach Phil Hobbs was quoted saying, “We’re real close, and the kids are playing hard . . . Every game we are making improvements.” Two weeks ago the Vikings fell 20-14 to Yates Center, and then 30-22 to Uniontown a week later.
Northeast-Arma will look to build off of their best offensive performance of the year against a porous Belle Plaine defense who has surrendered a whopping 242 points through three contests. Nathan Boswell and Karter Dugan will look to lead the Vikings to a win.
For a look at the 11-Man Three Rivers League standings through three weeks of play, follow this link. https://sek-sports.com/leagues/trl-football/
8-Man Division
St. Paul (3-0, 2-0 TRL) @ Axtell (2-1)
Last Meeting: St. Paul defeated Axtell 66-16 (2016)
A year ago, St. Paul routed Frankfort 66-16. This year? A new book, but the same story, with the Indians defeating Frankfort 48-0 a week ago. The Indians devastated Frankfort’s defense using almost all running plays. Adam Albertini led St. Paul on offense, pacing their rushing attack. He also had an interception on defense.
In one of the more intriguing Southeast Kansas 8-Man football match-ups, St. Paul will look to stay dominate against an Axtell team that is clicking on all cylinders. In Axtell’s last two games, they have score a combined 144 points. To stay perfect, St. Paul will have to slow down the fast paced Axtell Eagles offense. One thing is for sure, when these two teams meet Friday night, there will be offensive fireworks all night long.
Altoona-Midway (1-2, 1-0 TRL) @ Marmaton Valley (2-1, 2-0 TRL)
Last Meeting: Marmaton Valley defeated Altoona-Midway 48-0 (2016)
The. Streak. Is. Over! Last week the Altoona-Midway Jets defeated Chetopa for their first win since 2011. The Jets had the longest active losing streak in the state of Kansas, but the key word is “had.” Altoona-Midway actually trailed Chetopa 20-14 at the half, but whatever happened over the course of the intermission worked for Altoona. The Jets flew past Chetopa in the second half, winning 44-26. “It was a great effort by the entire team,” said Head Coach Joe Arell, “They played with a lot of heart and emotion and deserved to get the win.” Quarterback Dawson Ashmore completed 12-of-18 passes for 195-yards and 3 touchdowns while running back Jimmy Willard carried the ball 10 times for 141-yards and 2 touchdowns. Although it was not just the offense that helped carry Altoona to victory. Arell noted, “Our defense played unbelievable tonight. We swarmed to the ball, ganged tackled but most importantly, we hit tonight.” The Jets will look to continue playing well, as they travel to take on a tough Marmaton Valley squad.
Marmaton Valley is coming off of their first loss of the year to Greenfield (MO.). The Wildcats could not gain traction on offense or defense, losing 58-20. The Greenfield offense has been clicking on all cylinders this season and it was no different against the Wildcats. Greenfield has a three headed monster at running back, with three players having rushed for over 200 yards. While the Greenfield quarterback already has 766-yards passing. Marmaton Valley was withing three scores heading into the fourth quarter, but surrendered two touchdowns to Greenfield in the fourth, putting the game out of reach. Justice Pugh, Trevor Wilson, and Caiden Elliot all had performances that they can build on entering week four. The trio of Wildcats will look to help their team get back into the win column as they host the upstart Jets.
Pleasanton (2-1, 0-1 TRL) @ Lebo (0-3)
Last Meeting: Lebo defeated Pleasanton 32-26 (2016)
Pleasanton picked up a victory over a win-less Osceola last Friday, 38-26. A very close game for 8-Man football standards, Pleasanton moved to 2-1 on the season with a win. Quarterback Kaden Mckee led the Blu-Jays on offense, while the entire defense stepped up in crucial moments. Pleasanton now has won two straight contests after dropping their season opener to St. Paul.
Pleasanton’s week four opponent Lebo has been outscored 169-20 thus far this season. Head Coach Dustin Johnson knows that even though on paper Pleasanton should win this match-up easily, his Blu-Jays will not be caught sleep walking into this contest as they have “lazor focus” heading into Friday night.
Crest (1-2, 0-1 TRL) @ Chetopa (0-3, 0-3 TRL)
Last Meeting: Crest defeated Chetopa 64-14 (2016)
Since opening the season with a 70-34 win, things have not gone the Crest Lancers way. After being outscored 102-6 in their last two contests, the Lancers are looking to get back to their winnings ways, improving their record to an even 2-2.
Three games into the season, and the Chetopa Hornets are still looking for their first win. Chetopa’s defense has not done them any favors, allowing an average of 53 points per game, while their offense has only scored 26 points the whole season (all 26 points came against Altoona-Midway a week ago). To earn a victory Friday night, the Hornets’ defense will have to play better than it has all season long. Head Coach Jaunc Bradshaw and his Hornets will look to right the ship in week four and earn their first victory.
For a look at the 8-Man Three Rivers League standings through three weeks of play, follow this link. https://sek-sports.com/leagues/trl-football/