The Pender Pendragons will face off against the Mead Raiders at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Pender will be looking to extend their current seven-game winning streak.
On Friday, Pender strolled past Wisner-Pilger with points to spare, taking the game 25-8. Those 25 points were actually the fewest the Pendragons have put up all season, but given the result they're probably not too concerned.
Zander Welsh had another great game (as he tends to do), rushing for 88 yards and one score on only eight carries, while also throwing for 114 yards and a pair of TDs. Owen Larsen made the highlight reel by snagging an interception and taking it all the way to the house.
Pender didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off three passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Larsen and Trevor Trimble. Larsen got in on the action too, converting a pick into a touchdown.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Mead). They were the clear victors by a 56-30 margin over Heartland on Friday.
Pender better keep an eye on Mason Reed. He was instrumental in Mead's win, rushing for 115 yards and three touchdowns on only ten carries, while also throwing for 150 yards and three TDs. Reed is becoming a predictor of the Raiders' success: when he posts at least 80 rushing yards the team is undefeated (and 1-4 when he doesn't).
Mead was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 258 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've posted since the start of last season.
Pender's record is now 7-1. As for Mead, the victory got them back to even at 4-4.
Thursday's game might be decided on the ground. Pender has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 211.4 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Mead struggles in that department as they've been averaging 152 rushing yards. There's a good chance Thursday's contest turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Pender came up short against Mead when the teams last played back in October of 2019, falling 34-30. Can the Pendragons avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
