Preview: Middletown at Hamilton

Senior night at Hamilton has playoff implications in our U.S. Marines Battle of the Gridiron Series matchup this week. The Big Blue will host lowly Middletown as the home team needs the victory to stay in the postseason picture.

Hamilton QB Eric Jackson (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

The players will be “jacked up,” the fans will be raucous as Hamilton marches towards its first trip to the playoffs in six years and fifth appearance in school history. Middletown is looking to get the “winless” monkey of its back. The Middies would love nothing more than to ruin their Greater Miami Conference rivals plans.

MIDDLETOWN MIDDIES (0-8, 0-5) at HAMILTON BIG BLUE (4-4, 1-4)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m at Virgil M. Schwarm Stadium
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PLAYERS TO WATCH: The high motor of junior defensive lineman Ayron Thompson has been a bright spot for Middletown. He leads the team with four sacks. Receiver Will Thomas the team’s top producer on offense with 33 receptions for 426 yards and five touchdowns. Cole Smith has been a blessing for the Middies on special teams. The University of Cincinnati commit, Smith is averaging 38.3 yards per punt, seen 13 of his 21 kickoffs go for touchbacks and connected on 4-5 field goal attempts.

Middletown WR Will Thomas (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

In his first year under center, Eric Jackson has had no problem adjusting to the position for Hamilton. The senior has thrown for 1,251 yards, ran for 1,066 more yards and accounted for 21 touchdowns (15 rushing, six passing). Classmate Vince Sanford has a team high 37 catches for 498 yards and a pair of scores. Junior Zach Reese has made his presence felt running the ball. Reese has combined to run for 188 yards and two touchdowns in the last two tilts.

TEAM TRENDS: Finding the end zone has been tough for Middletown. Over the last six games the Middies highest point total has been 14. The other five contests has seen them score no more than eight points. Middletown only has one rushing touchdown this season and it did not come until Week 6. They are averaging just 39.3 yards rushing per game.

All four of Hamilton’s wins have been by seven points or less. Two of the Big Blue’s four losses have been by eight points or fewer. They have scored 20 points or more in six of their eight games.

MIDDLETOWN’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Taking care of the ball is priority number one. Lost possessions have killed the Middies momentum all season long. They are averaging three turnovers per game (24 total turnovers). Establishing the run will be the goal after that. Middletown gets into big trouble when they start pressing, playing from behind.

HAMILTON’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Motivation will not be a factor for Big Blue with so much on the line. Head coach Chad Murphy would like to see his club getting back to the way they played during the non-conference portion of the schedule when they went 3-0. Paying attention to details against a team like Middletown should get Hamilton back on track.

Prediction: HAMILTON 28, MIDDLETOWN 10

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