Preview: Piqua at Butler

Vandalia will be on pins and needles Friday night as Butler plays host to GWOC American North Division foe Piqua in this week’s U.S. Marines Battle of the Gridiron Series showdown. Both teams are in fights for their postseason lives. The winner positions themselves well for a playoff berth. The loser will face a steep uphill battle to get into the postseason.

Butler WR Treylann Sanders (photo by ScoutingOhio.com)

Piqua is on a roll. The Indians have won four in a row. They struggled out of the gate going 1-2 while searching for an identity after losing their star running back for the year to a knee injury. They have come to find out they are still a “ground and pound” team.

Butler hopes it didn’t peak to early. The Aviators haven’t played particularly well since a resounding victory over Wilmington five weeks ago. This is the time for them to show that they are in this race until the end.

PIQUA INDIANS (5-2, 2-0) at BUTLER AVIATORS (4-3, 1-1)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. – Memorial Field at Good Samaritan Athletic Complex
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PLAYERS TO WATCH: Junior Ben Schmiesing has starred in all three phases of the game for Piqua. He has racked up 613 yards from scrimmage (412 rushing, 201 receiving), averaged 25.6 yards on nine kickoff returns, has 44 total tackles, two sacks, five takeaways (four interceptions, on fumble recovery, two pick sixes and 10 total touchdowns (five rushing, three receiving). During the Indians four game winning streak Allen Schrubb has been a load to bring down. The 237-pound senior has run for 511 yards and 12 touchdowns during that span.

There is more beef up front on the Piqua defense. Seniors Nathan Monnin and Tristen Cox lead the way along the line. Monnin has three sacks and two fumble recoveries.

Butler will look to get the ball to its playmakers. Running back Logan Flatt has 775 yards with nine trips to the end zone, rushing. The junior has run for 90 yards or more in six of the Aviators seven games. His classmate Treylann Sanders is averaging 20.0 yards on 23 receptions with three touchdowns. He also has two kickoff returns for scores.

Five players have at least two takeaways for Butler. Daiton Sharp leads the way with three interceptions. Matt Grossmann and Grant Kohler each have two fumble recoveries.

TEAM TRENDS: Piqua has not beaten a team that has a winning record. The combined record of those foes is 10-25 (.286%). This is the first four game winning streak during a season since 2008 for the Indians.

Butler has trailed at halftime in each of its last four games. They are 2-2 in that span. The Aviators have been strong in October. Since 2012 Butler has gone a combined 14-5 in the final month of the regular season.

PIQUA’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Butler is a team that is a level above anyone that Piqua has played in the last month. The Indians success against lesser foes was due to a potent rushing attack that fueled the passing game and an opportunistic defense. There is no need to get away from the formula that has been successful even if things start to get away from Piqua early in this affair.

BUTLER’S KEYS TO VICTORY: The Aviators must take care of the football. Butler has turned the ball over three times in each of its losses. Piqua has made teams pay on miscues with three pick sixes on 11 interceptions. Good football teams don’t squander possessions and that’swhat the Aviators need to improve on if they want to be playing football.

Prediction: PIQUA 27, BUTLER 21

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