Jefferson-Morgan has won five straight games at home, while California has won five straight on the road, but those streaks won't matter much on Friday. The Rockets will host the Trojans at 7:00 p.m. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Jefferson-Morgan will roll into the matchup after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up 13 points last Friday, then bounced right back against Avella on Friday. The Rockets really took it to the Eagles for the full four quarters, racking up a 47-6 victory. With the Rockets ahead 33-0 at the half, the game was all but over already.
Deakyn Dehoet had another great game (as he tends to do), rushing for 153 yards and four scores on only eight carries, while also throwing for 71 yards and one touchdown.
They were just one part of a punishing run game: Jefferson-Morgan was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 317 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've posted since back in September of 2024.
Jefferson-Morgan didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. In fact, those interceptions all came courtesy of defensive juggernaut Dehoet.
Meanwhile, California gave up the first points on Friday, but they didn't let that get them down. They blew past Bethlehem Center 38-3. The contest was all but wrapped up at the end of the third, by which point the Trojans had established a 27-point advantage.
Jefferson-Morgan better keep an eye on Malachi Peak. He was instrumental in California's win, rushing for 169 yards and three TDs while picking up 10.6 yards per carry. Peak showed off some serious burst, cutting through the defense on one rush that went for 60 yards. Alan Dennis was in the mix too, providing California with two scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, a lot of the credit has to go to California's defense and their four sacks. Leading the way was Noah Layhue with two. Layhue is also crushing it when it comes to total tackles: he's made at least six every time he's taken the field this season.
California's win bumped their record up to 8-1. As for Jefferson-Morgan, their victory bumped their record up to an identical 8-1.
Friday's matchup might be decided on the ground. Jefferson-Morgan has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 204.6 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like California struggles in that department as they've been averaging 249.1 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's game turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Jefferson-Morgan barely slipped by California in their previous meeting back in October of 2024, winning 28-27. Will the Rockets repeat their success, or do the Trojans have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
