SSI Playbook Game Preview!

SC EAST (2-0) @ BISHOP HEELAN (2-0)

GAMEDAY: SEPTEMBER 12

KICKOFF: 7:00 PM

GAME TIME TEMP: 84*

SSI GAME OF THE WEEK!

PRESENTED BY:

GAME SET UP: Two old rivals lock horns tonight at Memorial Field when the Black Raiders travel across town to meet up with the Crusaders. Head coach Jon LaFleur has his team playing well early on this season as does head coach Mike Winklepleck of the Black Raiders. You can expect to see some top shelf high school football being played tonight by two very talented teams that will showcase some D1-D2 talent on both sidelines. I anticipate this game being decided late in the fourth quarter.

BLACK RAIDERS: Senior QB Cal Jepsen 5-10 (175) is operating the passing game at a very high level. Jepsen has passed for (424) yards and (4) touchdowns while completing 69% of his passes. Sophomore WR Isaiah Grant 6-2 (190) has introduced himself as a future D1 prospect and has (11) receptions for (232) yards and two scores. Sophomore Tanner Boonstra has (6) catches for (46) yards and one score. The running game is led by junior RB Amos Collins 6-0 (180) with (216) yards. Senior RB Mandell Groetken has (85) yards and one touchdown.

The Black Raider defense has a solid defensive front led by seniors Jack Ohman 6-5 (230) with (9) tackles and Colin Pittenger 6-1 (255) has (10) tackles and (3) TFL after two games. Senior LB Jake Breyfogle has racked up a team leading (20) tackles and (2) TFL and is very good in sideline pursuit. Junior Kason Clayborne is off to a solid start with (10.0) tackles. Junior CB Chris Ford 5-10 (175) is a solid cover-corner for the Black Raiders.

CRUSADERS: The Crusaders are playing good football right now and that started with a marquee win over Sergeant Bluff-Luton in the opener. Senior Iowa Hawkeye commit RB/LB Kasen Thomas 6-3 (225) has been solid with (34) carries for (211) yards and (5) touchdowns. I get the feeling that Thomas will see his carries go up tonight in this hot sticky weather as the Crusaders will attempt to wear down the strong Black Raider defensive front.

Senior QB Noah Conley 6-1 (180) has passed for (230) yards and is completing (64%) of his passes. Conley has been steady through two games and seems more settled in this year after missing the first four games last season. Other playmakers on offense for the Crusaders include senior Slot/RB Avery Favors; WR/S Caden Lester and junior Johnathan Hope.

The Crusader defense is led by senior captain LB Zack Harpenau 5-11 (200) with (13.0) tackles. Thomas has (8.0) tackles and (3.5) TFL. Favors has (9.5) tackles and (3.0) TFL. Captain safety Caden Lester 6-4 (210) has done a nice job in the secondary with (9.5) tackles.

SSI TOMORROW HEADLINES TODAY: This game has the makings of an instant classic. I do think this will be a ball control contest as the Black Raiders prefer a track meet and the Crusaders game plan might be to work the clock. I do believe the Crusaders willl have success moving the football and the Black Raiders are capable of striking quickly with QB Jepsen and WR Grant hooking up. I anticipate a (22-25) carry night for Kasen Thomas and I do feel he will be the thoroughbred horse in the 4th quarter of this derby.

MILLARD PREDICTION

CRUSADERS 27

BLACK RAIDERS 21

MCCUMBER PREDICTION

BLACK RAIDERS 28

CRUSADERS 24