Rossview (4-4, 4-1) at Centennial (7-1, 5-0), 7 p.m. Friday*
Closing out their second straight Region 7-5A championship will not be easy with two games left for the Centennial Cougars.
After proving too tough for Brentwood last week 27-17, the Cougars welcome third-place Rossview to CHS on Friday before taking on fellow region undefeated Henry County next week. Should Centennial beat Rossview and Henry County get beat by Brentwood, the matchup will for the region title for the second straight season.
Before the Cougars can start thinking about Henry County, though, they have to get by a hot Hawks team that goes into Friday winners of three of the last four games.
Behind a potent rushing attack, Rossview has averaged 31.75 points per game over its last four contests. Sophomore running back Fred Orr has led the way this year with 91 carries for 630 yards and 10 total (nine rushing) touchdowns, and altogether the Hawks have gained 1,767 yards on the ground this season.
Centennial, which is giving up 139.25 rushing yards per game to opponents this season, will have to come out with a focus to slow Rossview’s backs down.
The Cougars will also have to have a focus on getting its own running backs, in particular Zyon Lee (666 rushing yards, eight TDs), rolling early.
Lee should be riding plenty of momentum after gashing Brentwood last week for 215 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries.
Independence (8-0, 5-0) at Franklin County (3-5, 2-3), 7 p.m. Friday*
The Independence Eagles can lock up the Region 5-5A title with a win at Franklin County Friday.
Thanks to the Eagles’ 35-14 win over Summit earlier in the season, Indy sits at a game ahead of the Spartans and would win a tiebreaker should it lose one of its remaining two contests.
A win Friday would also push the defending state champion’s winning streak to 24 games.
Franklin County goes into Friday losers of back-to-back region games in which the Rebels were outscored 66-14.
The poor showing from Franklin County the last two weeks should make Indy anxious to put its offense on the field.
The Eagles average 37 points per game.Quarterback Brandon Hines (1,709 passing yards, 18 TDs, seven INTs) has proven in the last four weeks he is finding his stride in his first year starting under center. Over that stretch, he has thrown 14 touchdown passes and just one interception.
Not only should Independence feel good about its offense against the Rebels, but it also shouldn’t fear their offensive attack if they keep being stout against the run.
Franklin County averages just 13.25 points per game with its wing-T scheme. The Rebels have thrown for just 404 yards this season, but behind running back Jarious Johnson (626 rushing yards, six TDs) and quarterback Michael Leslie (444 rushing yards, five TDs) they have gained 1,537 yards on the ground.
With two games left in the regular season against the fifth and sixth placed teams in Region 5-5A, the Eagles are in good position to finish out their second-straight undefeated regular season.
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