Oakfield-Alabama (4-0) at Attica (3-1)
7 p.m. Friday
It doesn't get much bigger than this one as Attica must win to have a shot at a tie for the Genesee Region League title and the Hornets need a win to make next week's game against Pembroke basically give the winner a shot at being an individual champion.
The battle on the line is going to determine the winner as both teams have had big years running the football, with O-A's line being led by Craig Campbell and Chris Williams.
The game is Attica's homecoming so the Blue Devils will have some extra motivation.
Andy Ruddock is going to get the ball a bunch of times for Attica - and why not - he's been one of the top performers in the league thus far.
The senior has gained 608 yards with eight touchdowns on 62 carries and works as a featured back in coach Jeff Cusmano's offense.
The Blue Devils will pound the ball with Ruddock, hoping he can pop off a couple of big runs.
If O-A's defense can manage to hold him in check, Brandon Rollins is going to put the ball in the air.
He's gone 22-of-37 for 385 yards and six touchdowns this season.
The top target in the passing offense is Shawn Dupuis, who has hauled in 12 balls for 214 yards and four scores.
Williams and Brad Riner lead the defense with 20 tackles and their unit will be trying to force Rollins to beat them. Both Derek Hicks and Evan Kotarski have 19 tackles apiece with Noah Seward pitching in 18 tackles with four sacks.
Oakfield-Alabama's offense is going to continue to pound the football and Attica knows what is coming - like every other team - but will have to work to stop it.
Smith won Class C Offensive Player of the Week this week after a huge performance and now has 489 rushing yards with seven touchdowns.
He got the bulk of the carries last week, but coach John Dowd will give the ball to Riner (301), Jason Stanley (199) and Joe Natalizia (221) as well.
Attica's defense will be led by Luke Pariso and his 28 tackles. Dave Jennings has 22.
O=A moved up to 11th in the state.
OK, Hilly, you pretty much
OK, Hilly, you pretty much put this game in it's proper context. This game was very similar to most OA/Attica games the last few years; hard hitting and big plays. Ruddock wasn't stopped cold, but slowed down in key situations.Rollins' passing stats would have been non-existent if not for those little flat passes, which the backs did a great job snaring and making good gains.
The Hornets did what they always do, stuff the ball up the middle and dare you to stop them for 48 minutes. AJ Kehlenbeck did a masterful job with the few passes he did throw and although there were no long bombs, they came at crucial times during long drives. This is an offense that wears down defenses and tonight was no exception, even though the Blue Devils did have some extra spark after running back an OA fumble for a TD late in the game.
All that being said and two bumps in the road in the Hornet's regular season having been disposed of, BRING ON THE PEMBROKE DRAGONS! Everyone in the county shouold come up the The Hornet's Nest for this one, because they'll see high school football at its best. These two teams don't score a lot points against each other but the games are always extremely exciting.
SEE YOU IN THE HORNET'S NEST!
Your humble servant,
The Voice of the Hornets
PS Hilly, thanks for the kind words, now I feel obligated to plug thebatavian.com next week during the game.
OA's defense stepped up when the game was on the line