Two dominant backs in Owen McLaughlin and Tony Postell Jr are getting ready to go toe-to-toe. The Southside Southerners will host the Trumann Wildcats at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The teams are on pretty different trajectories at the moment (Southside has eight straight victories, Trumann has four straight losses), but none of that matters once you're on the field.
Last Friday, Southside humbled Gosnell with a 50-22 victory. Considering the Southerners have won five contests by more than 23 points this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
McLaughlin was his usual excellent self, rushing for 166 yards and three touchdowns while picking up 7.9 yards per carry, and also picking up 74 receiving yards and two touchdowns. McLaughlin is crushing it when it comes to rushing yards: he's rushed for at least 113 every time he's taken the field this season. Another player making a difference was Trey Allen, who threw for 133 yards and two touchdowns while completing 75% of his passes.
Southside didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off three passes before the game was over. It was truly a group effort as Andrew Plummer, Louis Calhoun, and Allen picked up one apiece. Plummer also set a new season high mark in total tackles with 20. Gentry Shirley-Hoskinds was another major factor on D, making 17 total tackles (3.0 for loss).
Southside was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 254 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 197 rushing yards in six consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, Trumann was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap on Friday as they fell 26-20 to Blytheville.
Trumann might have lost, but man, Postell Jr was a machine: he rushed for 228 yards and a touchdown while picking up 12.7 yards per carry. Those 228 rushing yards gave Postell Jr a new career-high. Bradon Whitsett was another key back, rushing for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Southside's win was their ninth straight on the road dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 8-0. As for Trumann, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-6.
Friday's match might be decided in the on the ground. Southside has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 238.3 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Trumann struggles in that department as they've been averaging 321. It's looking like Friday's game might have some serious battles in the trenches.
Everything came up roses for Southside against Trumann in their previous meeting back in September of 2021, as the team secured a 50-14 victory. Does Southside have another victory up their sleeve, or will Trumann turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
