The big game - Ravenna @ Field

The Portage Trail Conference Metro Division has come down to a showdown with Ravenna at Field, both with records of 6-2 overall and 5-0 in the division at 7 Friday night.

The other big element of this contest is playoff position. The Field Falcons  is third in the Division III, Region 9 controlling their own destiny according to joeeitel.com website behind Cardinal Mooney and Parma Padua.

Now a little irony. Keeping in mind the top eight teams in each region qualify for the post season, here is an example of the flukes of the system. Though the Ravens defeated Kent Roosevelt 28-14 two weeks ago, Ravenna is the No. 11 in the region and the Rough Riders are No. 7.  

The simple explanation is that Kent has beaten teams with better records. So Ravenna desperately needs this win to have a shot at post season. 

As for the theme off the game, it is simply this from each team's offense - defense, try and stop us. Both teams have dynamic offenses that can score, mostly from their running games.

Ravenna runs the spread using running backs D. J. Jones well - 1, 179 yards, 8.2 per carry and 11 touchdowns and third best rusher in terms of yardage in Beacon Journal area  - as well as Stephen Wilmington - 584 yards, 7.4 yards per carry and 10 TDs. Quarterback Brandon Holt doesn't run often  but frankly he is a great ball-handler and his fakes and execution make him invaluable.

There is no secret that the Falcons are built on the legs of one of the best, if not the best, runner in school history in junior running back Patrick Boggs, who leads the area with 1,506 yards and 19 touchdowns with a 7.6 yards per carry average. And do not underestimate the avility of quarterback Jay Wilson.