The Axtell Wildcats will face off against the Kenesaw Blue Devils at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty point totals in their previous games.
Axtell is headed into Friday's matchup looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their fifth straight game dating back to last season on Friday. They received a blow as they fell 58-44 to Wilcox-Hildreth. One positive for the Wildcats, at least, is that this was the most points they've scored all season.
Loss or not, Axtell got some senior leadership from Elijah Bergstrom and Jacob Halvorsen. Bergstrom gained 247 total yards and three touchdowns, while Halvorsen gained 248 total yards and two touchdowns. Bergstrom got the majority of those receiving yards when he pulled down a pass and took off for a gain of 54 yards.
Even though they lost, Axtell was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 218 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 160 rushing yards in nine consecutive matches dating back to last season.
Meanwhile, everything came up roses for Kenesaw on the road against Franklin on Friday as the team secured a 70-34 win. That 36 point margin sets a new team best for the Blue Devils this season.
This one was won in the trenches and the lion's share of the credit has to go to Maddox Wagoner and he. Wagoner rushed for 224 yards and four touchdowns while picking up 8.3 yards per carry while he rushed for 224 yards and four touchdowns while picking up 8.3 yards per carry. With that strong performance, Adam Denkert is now averaging an impressive 126 rushing yards per game.
Kenesaw's defense was in the mix too, especially the secondary: they snagged two passes before it was all said and done. In fact, those interceptions all came courtesy of defensive juggernaut Wagoner. The dominant performance gave him a new career-high in rushing yards.
Axtell's defeat dropped their record down to 0-4. As for Kenesaw, their victory bumped their record up to 3-1.
Friday's contest might be decided in the on the ground. Axtell has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 248.5 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Kenesaw struggles in that department as they've been averaging 269. It's looking like Friday's game might have some serious battles in the trenches.
Axtell didn't have too much breathing room in their matchup against Kenesaw when the teams last played back in October of 2023, but they still walked away with a 12-8 win. Will Axtell repeat their success, or does Kenesaw have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
