Preview: Highlands at Ryle

Two teams heading in opposite directions face off as surging Ryle hosts hobbling Highlands in this Friday’s U.S. Marines Battle of the Gridiron Series game. The home team Raiders are clicking on all cylinders. There is very little that they have done wrong to start the year. Aspirations are high in Union Kentucky.

Ryle QB Tanner Morgan (photo by Dion Daniels/TriStateFootball.com)

Highlands has lost the momentum from its thrilling come from behind win over Cooper in the 2016 opener. The Bluebirds are hoping to avoid a 1-3 start for a second straight season. Don’t count the Bluebirds out of this contest. They have the talent to spoil Ryle’s quest for a perfect year.

HIGHLANDS BLUEBIRDS (1-2) at RYLE RAIDERS (3-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., Borland Stadium
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PLAYERS TO WATCH: Highlands is getting excellent offensive production from RB Grant Murray, RB Jared Pulsfort and WR Nick Veneman. Murray (322) and Pulsfort (233) have combined to run for 555 yards with each having found the end zone four times. Veneman is coming off a career day and currently has 15 receptions for 384 yards and four touchdowns.

There are so many weapons for the Ryle offense. It all starts with QB Tanner Morgan. The Western Michigan commit has thrown for 689 yards and five touchdowns. Junior RB Jake Chisolm has picked up where he left off as a sophomore. Chisolm has run for 379 yards and four scores. The pass catching and running abilities of TE Jake Long and WR Bryce Ashley make it difficult for opposing coaches to game plan for. The duo has combined for 107 catches for 1,444 yards and 12 touchdowns since the beginning of ’15.

Highlands RB Grant Murray (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

TEAM TRENDS: Here is some irony. Highlands has scored almost three times as many touchdowns rushing as they have receiving, 11-4. The passing game has taken a backseat to the running game for the first time in ages. Outside of Veneman’s terrific numbers, eight other Bluebirds have combined for just 200 yards on 24 receptions with no touchdowns.

All signs point to a big day for Ryle who is averaging 449.7 yards of offense per game. The Highlands defense is allowing 442.7 yards per contest. The Raiders run defense has been a pleasant surprise. They are only giving up 94.7 yards per game, on the ground.

HIGHLANDS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: The defense needs to step up and play at a whole new level. The Bluebirds must treat this affair like it is a state title tilt. Somebody in the group of Highlands has to emerge as a presence. That will keep the Ryle defense honest and from stuffing the box against the run.

RYLE’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Put the pedal to the metal and not let up from the start should be the Raiders focus. Taking the heart out of Highlands earlier then keeping that pressure on will make it a bountiful evening for Ryle.

Prediction: RYLE 38, HIGHLANDS 28

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