The Linton-Stockton Miners will take on the Northview Knights at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Northview will take on a team with plenty of momentum: Linton-Stockton extended their winning streak to five on Friday. The Miners blew past Eastern Greene, posting a 44-14 victory. The Miners' offense checked out after the first half but had enough points banked to take the game anyway.
Linton-Stockton's win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Paul Oliver, who threw for 188 yards and one touchdown on only 14 passes, and also rushed for 45 yards. Oliver also deserves a shoutout for his performance on D, making one tackle and defending two passes in addition to snagging an interception which he returned one-yard for a touchdown. Another back making a difference was Aidan Sparks, who rushed for 59 yards and a pair of scores.
Wins are hard to come by when you can't run the rock, something Linton-Stockton proved: they limited Eastern Greene to a paltry 2.9 yards per carry. The team can thank Tate Gamble for the heroic effort on defense: he. Linton-Stockton didn't have any issues in that department, having averaged 6.7.
Linton-Stockton didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off three passes before the game was over. It was truly a group effort as Sparks, Oliver, and Oliver Stephens picked up one apiece. Oliver got in on the action too, converting a pick into a touchdown.
Meanwhile, Northview's offense rose to the challenge against a Mustangs defense that boasted an average of only 14.63 points allowed on Friday. The Knights took their matchup with ease, bagging a 35-7 victory over Edgewood. The Knights' offense checked out after the first half but had enough points banked to take the game anyway.
Northview's win came from a few key players Linton-Stockton will need to keep an eye on. One of the most notable was Slade Fell, who rushed for 59 yards and two TDs on only eight carries. Colton Bath was another key player, throwing for 119 yards and one touchdown on only 11 passes.
Linton-Stockton's win bumped their record up to 6-2. As for Northview, their victory bumped their record up to 7-1.
Friday's game might be decided on the ground. Linton-Stockton has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 271.2 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Northview struggles in that department as they've been averaging 197.9 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's contest turns into a tough fight on the ground. Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more football content.
