The Wolverine Conference West Division features a showdown between visiting Edwardsburg (4-0, 1-0) and Three Rivers (3-1, 1-0) tonight. The Wildcats torched Coloma on the road last Friday for a 42-17 victory. The Eddies completed their second consecutive shutout with a 42-0 win at home versus South Haven.
“This game will be a great test,” Three Rivers coach J.J. Wagner said earlier this week. “The winner will have the inside track to win the division and make the playoffs, so it is important that we have a great week of practice and come to play on Friday.”
Scouting Edwardsburg
Edwardsburg runs the Power-T offense — a full-house, two-tight end set.
“They want to run the ball and control the clock,” Wildcats coach J.J. Wagner said. “Defensively, they will feature a 3-5-3 stack and a 4-4 stack and they bring pressure nearly every play. Their scheme is tough to prepare for because you don’t see it often, and you just have to be extremely disciplined defensively.”
Though the Eddies’ last two wins have been against 0-4 teams, their offensive production is impressive nonetheless. Six different players registered rushing touchdowns versus Comstock two weeks ago, and Dylan Hulett and Tyler Williamson both averaged well over 10 yards per carry.
Dustin Vires broke for 81 yards and two touchdowns on just two carries against South Haven, so Three Rivers must be careful not to give up the home run.
“Obviously, to be successful this week we need to play great defense,” Wagner said. “We need our pad level to be low and our kids to need really focused on their keys and assignments. Offensively, we need to be able to pick up their stunts, be physical up front and execute like we have most of the season.”