A look at Madison County’s games this week
Division II-A
Ezell-Harding (4-6) at Jackson Christian (9-1)
Player to watch: Jackson Christian RB Easton Jones
Most recent meeting: None
What to know: The Eagles are having to do something this week they haven’t needed to do in 2023 before – come back from a loss. They’re also preparing for a game without the assurance that Jay’Len Mosley, their four-star recruit at wide receiver, will be there as an option for quarterback Austin Kelley to throw the ball. The good thing for the Eagles is this appears to be a chance for the offense to get its footing without Mosley if he is in fact done for the season after going down with a knee injury last week. But the defense has to play up to the standard it’s set for itself this season when it’s held some decent teams in its region to fewer than 100 yards of offense.
Common opponents: None
Trivia: This is the second straight year for the Eagles to finish the regular season with one loss.
Class 4A
North Side (4-6) at Marshall Co. (8-2)
Player to watch: North Side DB Christian Mahomes
Most recent meeting: None
What to know: The Indians have a great opportunity for an upset. The Indians are coming off a loss that could be viewed as an upset when the game got away from them in the closing minutes – another disappointing finish for the season. But North Side has the weapons to overcome the challenge Marshall County poses to them if the players collectively can put together a consistent string of high-quality plays. They have the physical capabilities to do this. They’ve just got to make it happen.
Common opponents: None
Trivia: Both teams are coming off losses in their regular season finales. Marshall County also lost last week to Pearl Cohn, 42-17.
Division II-AA
Lakeway Christian (4-6) at USJ (6-4)
Player to watch: USJ LB Sam McMillan
Most recent meeting: 2022 – USJ 48, Lakeway Christian 6
What to know: Let this be yet one more reminder this season that the players on the team that dominated Lakeway Christian last year in the second round of the playoffs have graduated for the most part. But this is a chance for the Bruins who entered the season young – but have since played an entire regular season of football – to show how much they’ve matured as a team since August. If they continue to compete the way they’ve been taught all year, they could get another chance to practice for another week if they win this matchup.
Common opponents: None
Trivia: Lakeway Christian has a Madison County native on its coaching staff. North Side graduate Jay Lowery – who is a former softball coach at Huntingdon – coaches at Lakeway.
Compiled by Brandon Shields
