Who's Playing?: Oxford (4-2 [2-0 in Region 1-5A], #4 CL, #5 AP, #7 MP, #1 in 5A [MP/CL]) vs. Lewisburg (2-5 [0-2], NR)
What?: Third Region 2-5A Game / Homecoming Game
Where?: Bobby Holcomb Field
When?: Friday, October 9th @ 7:00 PM
How can you keep yourself updated?: 95.5 FM Radio with Don Brooks and Denny Tosh on the call, Bullseye955.com, @OxChargerSports Twitter account (Link: HERE), LIVE online streaming thru WSN at this website HERE, thru the iScore Gamecast HERE (use ID 7DF28156B0 for entry if needed) and the iScore Central App on Apple devices HERE (download the app for free using that link, which will send you to the Apple App Store, after downloading and starting the app, search Oxford and/or West Point for the game)
The Lowdown: Oxford's offense continues to roll along after being responsible for 93 of the last 100 points in the last two games. It should continue against a Lewisburg defense coughing up 40+ PPG.
Lewisburg's defense is about as good as Saltillo's last week. With that said, the Patriots do have a much better offense. It will likely be the most balanced and quite possibly the next best offense in 1-5A behind Oxford. Jake Harville is back at QB for Lewisburg and has done very well throughout his time at Lewisburg being the QB, he's just never had a defense to help him win more football games. Throughout his 2-1/2 years so far, the Patriots have scored 31.3 PPG. The only sad thing is that he's 9-20 as a starter, and that is a very deceiving record. That shouldn't (ever) be the case scoring that much per game.
The Oxford defense will face it's biggest task remaining in terms of talent on offense and as far as execution this season. Last week, the defense overpowered a Saltillo offense that didn't have but four seniors on the team, this week it is far different. There are at least four seniors that start on the Patriots offense - not including the offensive line which I'm not able to look up because nobody puts pancake blocks (including ourselves) on Maxpreps.
Harville with his offense deserves to give Oxford a game at least once. If this was before 2013, it would be. However, he's up against a weapon-filled offense and a defense that wins its battles more often than not, and what's there for Lewisburg right now just won't be enough.
For Oxford to Win, They Must: Execute on Offense - Jack Abraham and the Chargers have done just that as of late. 93 points on offense against a defense that is coughing up a bunch of points as well, execution is key to keep this going. Focus on Defense - This will be the best offense they will come across this season. Lewisburg will move the ball, it's just a matter of making enough plays and keeping them out of the end zone often enough. This won't be easy for them this week. | For Lewisburg to Win, They Must: Explode on Offense - They are good, but they will likely need to find the end zone twice out of every three possessions to have a chance at any kind of an upset. Make Some Defensive Plays - A few stops on the Lewisburg defense would help this offense have a chance. That is asking a lot with what Oxford has, but having a perfect game and everything falling their way (Turnovers) would help. |
Other Notes: Abraham Tracker - He needs 1,197 yards for 10,000 career passing yards and 8 touchdown passes for 100. The Homecoming Queen will be announced at halftime. Abraham has thrown only 74 passes over the last three games since throwing 69 passes against Madison Central. Abraham has thrown 10 TD passes in Region play so far in 40 pass attempts, at a 25 percent clip.