After each having a week off, the Segerstrom Jaguars and the Troy Warriors will shake off the cobwebs and challenge one another at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Segerstrom's defense has only allowed 14 points per game this season, so Troy's offense will have their work cut out for them.
Segerstrom is probably headed into the game with a chip on their shoulder considering El Modena just ended the team's three-game winning streak two weeks ago. They lost 49-24 to the Vanguards. The defensive woes were uncharacteristic for the Jaguars, who until this match were averaging 14 points allowed.
Segerstrom's defeat shouldn't obscure the performances of Jesse Lopez, who threw for 224 yards and a touchdown while picking up 11.2 yards per attempt, and Nicholas Cervantes, who picked up 155 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Meanwhile, Troy entered their contest against Foothill two weeks ago without any home losses, but there's a first time for everything. Troy and Foothill were almost perfectly matched up, but Troy suffered a 42-41 loss. Despite running the score up even higher than they did in their prior game on September 6th (33), the Warriors still had to take the loss.
Troy might have lost, but man, Ethan Mundt was a machine: he rushed for 165 yards and a touchdown while picking up 8.3 yards per carry, and also picked up 35 receiving yards. Mundt's rushing production has been exceptional recently as that marked his eighth straight game with at least 110 rushing yards dating back to last season. Caleb Huss was another key player, gaining 127 total yards and two touchdowns.
Even though they lost, Troy was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 248 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 157 rushing yards in nine consecutive matchups dating back to last season.
Having lost for the first time this season, Segerstrom fell to 3-1. As for Troy, their defeat was their first of the season and also makes their record 3-1.
Friday's game might be decided in the on the ground. Segerstrom has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 208.2 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Troy struggles in that department as they've been averaging 250. It's looking like Friday's match might have some serious battles in the trenches.
Segerstrom lost to Troy on the road by a decisive 39-25 margin in their previous matchup back in September of 2023. Thankfully for Segerstrom, Declan Kai Healey (who picked up 97 receiving yards and two touchdowns, and also rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown on only six carries) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? There's only one way to find out.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
