By BRANDON HURLEY
Sports Editor
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Who: #4 Greene Co. (6-0, 2-0) at Atlantic (2-4, 1-1)
Last Meeting: Greene County won, 35-21 in 2018
What to watch for: Class 2A’s leading rusher, Tyler Moen, up against Greene County’s highly-rated run defense
X-Factor: A quick start. Atlantic doesn’t seem to have an offense that can score in bunches. They only average 95 passing yards per game.
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Three weeks.
That’s all that stands between fourth-ranked Greene County and a perfect regular season.
Just one opponent remains with a winning record - 7th-ranked and fellow undefeated, OA-BCIG (6-0).
The challenge now is staying hungry and keeping the Rams focused on the task at hand.
A record-setting start - six straight wins for the first time in Greene County school history - and a top four ranking can give anyone a substantial ego. Sprinkle in a scoring average of 44.3 ppg (third best in 2A), an offense that has averaged 404 yards per game (5th in the state) and an victory margin of 31.5 points per game – a bit of overconfidence is bound to creep in.
Greene County head coach Caden Duncan isn’t necessarily worried about a lack of focus with less than a month remaining before the postseason commences. He’s confident the Rams can stay on course, it’s ingrained in their personalities.
“They seem to always want more, especially the seniors,” Duncan said. “We’re ahead and they’re not wanting to take the foot off the gas. They’re wanting to keep going, they want to play.
Even if they’re not in (the game), they are coaching up the younger guys are the guys, really getting after them. They don’t want to have any drop off. I think that really helps.”
Friday’s week seven battle against Atlantic (2-5, 1-1) is a pivotal one. Despite their losing record, the Trojans boast Class 2A, District 9’s top rushing attack, featuring Class 2A’s leading rusher, Tyler Moen (991 yards, 10 touchdowns, 7.6 ypc).
Fortunately, Greene County’s defensive strength is against the run. The Rams have only allowed an opponent to reach the century mark just once this year (Sept. 6 against Nevada). Greene County has allowed just eight yards combined over the last two weeks, including just 35 yards a week ago against Kuemper. That notion alone should fuel a GCHS defense that is allowing just 12.8 points per game. Greene County is also averaging a spectacular 44 points per game to go with 404 yards per contest. There’s not much chance for a let down, Duncan feels. Atlantic has attempted just 79 passes in six games, averaging a mere pedestrian 85 passing yards per game, having thrown five interceptions.
With a 6-0 record and just three regular season games remaining, including a potential district title still on the line, Duncan sees no trouble getting up for this one.
“At times, you know, there’s it’s kind of human nature to relax,” the coach said. “(Last week), it kind of seemed like there might have been one or two times where we just kind of took a breath and relaxed. But for the most part, they’ve been so good about staying locked in and alway being hungry for more. They’re not satisfied or easily.”
Atlantic’s defense is much stronger than the schedule may suggest.
The Trojans are giving up 29.5 points per game defensively, but held seventh-ranked OA-BCIG to just 28 points in their Oct. 4 road loss. The Falcons entered the week six contest averaging 56.4 points per game. Atlantic has intercepted six passes and four fumbles, which ranks them third overall in district 9. The Trojans are led by Bodie Johnson with 30 tackles, while Cael Pulido leads the District with 7 tackles for loss. Brandon Thompson and Cale Roller have each tallied two sacks apiece, helping the Trojans to a league-leading 11 sacks.
Greene County’s Carter Morton is second in the state with 610 yards receiving thanks to a eight catch, 201 yard, three touchdown performance last week. The senior has hauled in eight touchdowns in just five games of action (he sat out the week 5 win over Shenandoah), which puts him in a three-way tie for third.
Brent Riley has catapulted up the statistical leaderboard as of late. He’s tied for third in the state with 19 touchdowns against just three interceptions.
Riley has thrown for a whopping 954 yards, 15 touchdowns and no interceptions over the last four games while also completing 69 percent of his passes (63-for-91). The senior’s last interception came back in week two against Nevada. Since then, he’s attempted 91 passes without a pick. As a matter of fact, he’s only thrown three interceptions in 128 attempts this year.
Riley has now thrown for 45 career touchdown passes against just 14 career interceptions.
Penalties and mental errors have been Greene County’s lone area of concern this fall. In order for the Rams to keep their perfect streak in tact, they must shore up the little things, Duncan said.
“We have to continue to stay lock in and more disciplined,” the coach said. “We have to adjust to the way the game is being officiate. We have to move on and stay on our blocks better. We have to tackle better. We are really liking how we are playing for large portions of the game, it’s just a little more consistency and better execution all the time.”
Getting out to a quick start is vital. With Greene County’s potent offense matched up against a run-heavy attack, a big lead is a must. The Trojans may not be able to keep up.
Friday’s kick-off is set for 7 p.m. in Atlantic.