Football Game Preview: Xavier Knights vs. Kellenberg Memorial Firebirds

The Xavier Knights will look to defend their home field on Saturday against the Kellenberg Memorial Firebirds at 7:30 p.m. Xavier's defense has only allowed 12 points per game this season, so Kellenberg Memorial's offense will have their work cut out for them.

If Xavier beats Kellenberg Memorial with 28 points on Saturday, it's going to be the squad's new lucky number: they've won their past two matchups with that exact score. The Knights blew past Christ the King, posting a 28-0 victory. Given the Knights' advantage in MaxPreps' New York football rankings (they are ranked 61st, while the Royals are ranked 277th) , the win on Friday wasn't entirely unexpected.

Xavier had a senior duo take command as Peter Heaney rushed for 88 yards and a pair of touchdowns on only five carries and Riley McLaughlin rushed for 109 yards. McLaughlin's longest rush was for an impressive 61 yards, which helps to explain his lofty yards per carry total.

Meanwhile, Kellenberg Memorial was not able to break out of their rough patch on Saturday as the team picked up their fourth straight loss. They fell 24-17 to Chaminade. While the Firebirds had to settle for second, they closed the game well in the third quarter, where they outscored the Flyers 14-10.

Xavier will have to contain Brendan Barkley as he made an impact in Kellenberg Memorial's last game. He rushed for 91 yards.

Kellenberg Memorial didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of John Hastings and Jamison Heneghan.

Xavier is on a roll lately: they've won four of their last five games. That's provided a nice bump to their 7-2 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 26.6 points over those games. As for Kellenberg Memorial, their defeat dropped their record down to 1-8.

Everything went Xavier's way against Kellenberg Memorial in their previous matchup back in September, as Xavier made off with a 28-7 victory. Do the Knights have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Firebirds turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.