Preview: Rock Port Blue Jays vs. Mound City Panthers
The Rock Port Blue Jays will be playing at home against the Mound City Panthers at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the pair posted some lofty point totals in their previous games.
Last Friday, Rock Port faced South Nodaway in a battle between two of the state's top teams. The contest between both teams wasn't particularly close, with Rock Port falling 56-40. They have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Rock Port's loss came about despite a quality game from Corbyn Jakub, who picked up 128 receiving yards and three touchdowns, and also rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown on only 11 carries. Jakub hasn't dropped below sixsolo tackles for three straight games. The team also got some help courtesy of Cade Makings, who threw for 159 yards and three touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Mound City humbled Stewartsville with a 58-12 victory. The win was just what Mound City needed coming off of a 54-26 defeat in their prior matchup.
Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Mound City to victory, but perhaps none more so than Cole Gillenwater, who rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns on only five carries, and also threw for 19 yards and a touchdown. Gillenwater is on a roll when it comes to solo tackles, as he's now made six or more in the last three games he's played. kane derr was another key contributor, rushing for 86 yards and two touchdowns on only five carries.
Rock Port has been struggling recently, as they've lost four of their last five contests, which put a noticeable dent in their 3-6 record this season. As for Mound City, their victory bumped their record up to an identical 3-6.
Friday's game might be decided on the ground as these two are both standouts in the run game. Rock Port has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 200.2 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Mound City struggles in that department as they've been averaging 187.8 per game. It's looking like Friday's contest might have some serious battles in the trenches.
Everything came up roses for Rock Port against Mound City in their previous meeting on October 6th as the squad secured a 62-34 victory. Does Rock Port have another victory up their sleeve, or will Mound City turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
