Preview: Anderson at Glen Este

Our U.S. Marines Battle of the Gridiron Series stops at Glen Este to watch its last Homecoming and the next to last home game for the program. The curtain has begun to close for Glen Este and Amelia football. The pair will merge and become West Clermont High School to begin the next school year. The Trojans have made very few memories this season as they look to topple Anderson and add one more special Friday to the decades of special moment’s that prep football has brought to the school and community.

Anderson RB Kyle Blaha (photo by Cathy Lachmann/TriStateFootball.com)

On paper this looks like a mismatch, but you can bet the Glen Este players will be sky high knowing that closure is nearing. Beating the Redskins would be a bright spot in what been a dim campaign. Anderson has other intentions as it’s on the cusp of making the playoffs for the first time since 2009. They are not going to let the Trojans play spoiler without a fight.

ANDERSON REDSKINS (4-2, 2-1) at GLEN ESTE TROJANS (1-5, 1-2)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Follow on Twitter @TSFootball

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Junior QB Jay Volpenhein is having a wonderful season. He has amassed 2,482 yards of total offense (1,985 passing, 497 rushing) while accounting for a jaw-dropping 30 touchdowns (24 passing, six rushing). Classmate RB Kyle Blaha leads the team in yards from scrimmage (569 rushing, 222 receiving) and touchdowns with 11 (eight rushing, three receiving). Volpenhein’s top pass catching targets are wide receivers Amadez Jones, Jake Newton and the lanky Austin Watt. The trio has combined for 115 receptions for 1,367 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Senior RB Aaron Johnston became the first Glen Este runner to top the 100-yard mark as he hit it in last week’s win over Withrow. Classmate DB Elijah Johnson has a team-high three interceptions. He is on his way to being named First Team All-ECC for a second straight season.

Glen Este RB/DB Elijah Johnson (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

TEAM TRENDS: Anderson is an offensive juggernaut. They average 44.7 points and 523 yards of total offense per game. The Redskins have scored 41 points in five of their six contests. Their lowest output of the year is 27 points. The Anderson offense has found the end zone 39 times (25 passing, 14 rushing).

Glen Este is at the other end of the spectrum averaging just 8.3 points per game. The Trojans have not scored more than 17 points in a contest and have been shutout twice. Turnovers have been Glen Este’s greatest enemy. They have had 18 miscues, including four interceptions being returned for touchdowns by opponents. The offense has scored just 50 total points, but allowed 24 off of turnovers.

The good news for Glen Este is that team have been scoring and moving the ball on the Redskins. Anderson has given up 21 points or more in every affair and 41 points or more three times.

ANDERSON’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Put the pedal to the metal right off the starting line. There is no room for complacency on offense. Building a lead quick puts the Glen Este offense under pressure by having to throw the ball, something the Trojans have yet to show they can handle.

GLEN ESTE’S KEYS TO VICTORY: It’s back to basics if the Trojans are to come out winners. The offense must establish the run and keep the ball out of Anderson’s hands. They also have to take care of the pigskins. Defensively, the Trojans must alleviate the big play. Glen Este has given up seven receiving touchdowns of 40 yards or more and three rushing scores of 68-plus yards.

Prediction: ANDERSON 49, GLEN ESTE 20

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