No. 9 East Knox Bulldogs (7-4, 5-2) at No. 1 Garaway Pirates (11-0, 5-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday at Garaway Stadium, 307 Dover Street NW, Sugarcreek, OH
Enrollments: East Knox (415), Garaway (457)
Coaches: East Knox- Andrew Beatty, Garaway- Jason Wallick
Streaks: East Knox- 1 win, Garaway- 11 wins
At Stake: No. 9 Bulldogs are coming off a 35-17 win in the first round but they have the lofty task of facing No. 1 Garaway who have outscored opponents 420-82 and won 11 straight games.
What to Watch:
This is a huge game for the Bulldogs, who face arguably the best team ahead of them in Garaway in the second round of the Division VI, Region 23 tournament.
Last week Blake Elliott’s skills were on full display in a four touchdown effort with 185 yards on the ground. Elliott led the KMAC in rushing yards and touchdowns and after last week has 1,321 yards, 18 touchdowns this year. He is rushing at 7.22 yards per carry.
Elliott, who was last week's Mount Vernon Athlete of the Week, is also the team’s top defender with 152 tackles on the season, and 18 coming last week. Bryar Householder had nine tackles and a sack.
Jax Lester was a dual threat, rushing for 102 yards with a rushing touchdown and also passing for 138 yards with a score. Bracen Davis is a receiver to watch, as he has tallied 47 catches for 726 yards and nine touchdowns.
Garaway blew out Rock Hill 45-7 and looks to keep the momentum going. They have blown out teams all season, and the only close one was a 14-10 win against Sandy Valley on Oct. 13.
The Pirates are led by Brady Geibel, who in the regular season threw for 70.9%, 1,976 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight picks. Running back Dillon Soehnlen had 167 carries for 987 yards and six scores. Jenson Garber is the top receiver with 53 catches, 975 yards and 13 touchdowns.