Football Preview: Elm Creek Buffaloes vs. Franklin Flyers
The Elm Creek Buffaloes will challenge the Franklin Flyers at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, both will really light up the scoreboard.
Having struggled with seven defeats in a row dating back to last season, Elm Creek finally turned things around against Blue Hill on Friday. They claimed a resounding 60-20 victory over the Bobcats on the road. The Buffaloes' offense stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most points they've scored all season.
Quin Oberg continued his habit of posting crazy stat lines, rushing for 246 yards and five touchdowns while picking up 13.7 yards per carry, and also picking up 90 receiving yards and two touchdowns. With that strong performance, he is now averaging an impressive 127.8 rushing yards per game. Kole Steiner was another key player, throwing for 113 yards and three touchdowns while completing 71.4% of his passes.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, Elm Creek was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 334 rushing yards. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved they're rushing yard total in three consecutive matches.
Meanwhile, Franklin was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their third straight loss. They were beaten by Kenesaw 70-34.
Franklin might have lost, but man, Calvin Carraher was a machine: he rushed for 216 yards and five touchdowns, and also threw for 107 yards on eight of 19 attempts. Carraher also put in work on the defensive side of the ball, making 11 total tackles and defending a pass.
Franklin wouldn't let Kenesaw keep a hold of the ball as they managed to force three fumbles. Franklin can thank Jacob Jackson and Eldon Haack for forcing all of them. Haack is also on a roll when it comes to total tackles, as he's now made six or more in the last three games he's played dating back to last season.
Elm Creek's first win this season bumped their record up to 1-3. As for Franklin, their defeat dropped their record down to an identical 1-3.
Friday's contest might be decided in the on the ground. Elm Creek has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 193.2 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Franklin struggles in that department as they've been averaging 225.5. It's looking like Friday's game might have some serious battles in the trenches.
Elm Creek took their victory against Franklin in their previous meeting back in October of 2015 by a conclusive 36-14. In that matchup, Elm Creek amassed a halftime lead of 23-0, an impressive feat they'll look to repeat on Friday.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
