Football Preview: Palmer Ridge Bears vs. Mesa Ridge Grizzlies
Palmer Ridge is 3-0 against Mesa Ridge since September of 2021, and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Friday. The Palmer Ridge Bears will be playing at home against the Mesa Ridge Grizzlies at 7:00 p.m. Palmer Ridge will be looking to keep their nine-game home win streak dating back to last season alive.
Palmer Ridge is headed in fresh off scoring the most points they have all season. They blew past Longmont, posting a 49-14 win on the road. Fans of the Bears have seen this all before: every one of the games they've played this season has ended in a blowout of 20+ points.
Carson Campbell was his usual excellent self, throwing for 149 yards and two touchdowns on only 12 passes, while also rushing for 58 yards and a touchdown. Zeki Wacker was Campbell's top target, rushing for 34 yards and a touchdown, while also picking up 61 receiving yards.
He was just one part of a punishing run game: Palmer Ridge was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 329 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 205 rushing yards in four consecutive games.
Palmer Ridge's defense was in the mix too, especially the secondary: they snagged five passes before it was all said and done. Jake Coyle led the group effort, picking up two of those interceptions all by himself.
Meanwhile, Mesa Ridge was able to grind out a solid victory over Heritage on Friday, taking the game 40-28.
It was another big night for Bryce Riehl, who threw for 194 yards and three touchdowns, and also rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown. The bulk of those rushing yards came from one huge play: a run that gained an incredible 85 yards. Trevon Salas was another key player, rushing for 105 yards and a touchdown.
Palmer Ridge's win bumped their record up to 4-0. As for Mesa Ridge, their victory bumped their record up to 3-1.
Friday's matchup might be decided in the on the ground. Palmer Ridge has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 305 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Mesa Ridge struggles in that department as they've been averaging 188.8. It's looking like Friday's contest might have some serious battles in the trenches.
Palmer Ridge took their win against Mesa Ridge in their previous meeting back in August of 2023 by a conclusive 43-20. One of the biggest obstacles trying to stand in the way of that victory was Mesa Ridge's Isaiah Jones, who rushed for 57 yards and a touchdown on only six carries, and also picked up 59 receiving yards. Now that he won't be playing on Friday, will it be easier for Palmer Ridge to walk away with another win? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
