Two dominant backs in Markeylin Batton and Kamran Williams are getting ready to go toe-to-toe. The Atlanta Rabbits will square off against the Jefferson Bulldogs at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Each of these teams will be fighting to keep a win streak alive as Atlanta comes in on four and Jefferson on five.
Atlanta is headed in fresh off scoring the most points they have all season. They took their matchup at home on Friday with ease, bagging a 71-40 victory over White Oak. Given the Rabbits' advantage in MaxPreps' Texas football rankings (they are ranked 286th, while the Roughnecks are ranked 604th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
Batton continued his habit of posting crazy stat lines, rushing for 208 yards and four touchdowns on only 11 carries, while also picking up 104 receiving yards and a touchdown. He got the majority of those receiving yards when he pulled down a pass and took off for a gain of 88 yards. Another player making a difference was Peyton Harrison, who threw for 324 yards and four touchdowns on only 17 passes.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, Atlanta was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 378 rushing yards. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved they're rushing yard total in four consecutive matches.
Atlanta's defense was in the mix too, especially the secondary: they snagged three passes before it was all said and done. The picks came courtesy of Sye Stroman and Harrison.
Meanwhile, everything came up roses for Jefferson on the road against Gladewater on Thursday as the team secured a 41-12 win. The Bulldogs might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won three contests by 25 points or more this season.
Jefferson had a senior duo take command as Williams rushed for 198 yards and two touchdowns while picking up 7.3 yards per carry and Tihmyus Taylor threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns. Williams' rushing production has been exceptional recently as that marked his 15th straight game with at least 124 rushing yards dating back to last season. A healthy portion of that aerial production (80 yards to be exact) went to Jakyrie Johnson.
Atlanta's victory bumped their record up to 4-1. As for Jefferson, their win was their sixth straight on the road dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 5-0.
Friday's game might be decided in the on the ground. Atlanta has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 209 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Jefferson struggles in that department as they've been averaging 264. It's looking like Friday's matchup might have some serious battles in the trenches.
Atlanta might still be hurting after the 49-29 loss they got from Jefferson in their previous matchup back in October of 2023. Can Atlanta avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
