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Preview: Mason at Sycamore

Mason head coach Brian Castner (photo by Dan Bieneke/TriStateFootball.com)

The Blitz 5 Comeback Tour heads to Sycamore this Friday night as the Aviators host Mason in the annual Battle of the Skies Cup. The Comets have displayed the Cup in their trophy case for the past three years. Sycamore would love nothing more than to dust off a shelf, return the Cup and pride back to Cornell Road.

#16 MASON COMETS (2-4, 1-3) at #13 SYCAMORE AVIATORS (3-3, 2-2)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Sycamore High School
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PLAYERS TO WATCH: Junior Nick Sailers is emerging as a go-to guy in the Mason offense. He has rushed for 117 yards or more three times in the last four games. Classmate Larson Brown has three games with two touchdown passes to balance out the offensive attack. Receiver Cobi Lewis has had at least one reception of 20-plus yards in five of the Comets’ six contests. Linebackers Kaden Evans and Jake Bates are relentless ballhawks. Linemen Caden Davis and Will Ott have put plenty of pressure on opposing backfields.

A concussion forced Sycamore star quarterback William Ingle to miss two games. He has averaged 177.0 yards with 12 touchdowns rushing in the other four tilts. The senior has verbally committed to continue his football career with Navy. Classmates Cody Charles and Cairo Ford have shown that they are capable of handling the load when called upon. Charles is averaging 83 yards per game on the ground with a pair of scores and has two 100-plus yard rushing performances. Ford is also dynamic. He is averaging 12.9 yards per carry and had 258 yards rushing against Middletown. Leading the way up front for them are seniors Jourden Hale-Frater, Matt Decker, Andrew Cathey and Trey Bell. Leadership on defense comes from Evan Massey and Patrick Teuimeh. Sophomore linebacker Zaire Washington is a star, who is just starting to shine. 

TEAM TRENDS: Mason has lost three of its four contests by one, five and six points. The combined record of the four teams the Comets have fallen prey to is 19-5. Takeaway a 40-point outburst against winless Middletown and the Comets offense is averaging just 15.8 points per game. Mason is looking for its seventh straight playoff appearance.

Sycamore front man Scott Dattilo picked up his 100th victory as the Aviators head coach last Friday night. He became the first head coach in program history to hit that mark. The Sycamore offense is amassing 352.2 yards per game including 259.7 yards rushing.

HEAD COACHES:
Mason: Brian Castner (72-49 at Mason, 12th year; 72-49 overall)

Sycamore: Scott Dattilo (100-64 at Sycamore, 16th year; 117-78 overall, 19th year)

PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Mason (12 appearances, 4-12) – 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2011, 2004, 2003, 1999, 1997, 1996

Sycamore (eight appearances, 4-8) – 2020, 2017, 2016, 2012, 2011, 2007, 2006, 1996

MASON’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Mason must slow down Ingle and the Sycamore run game. The best way to do that is by milking the clock on offense. Look for a revamped and controlled passing attack to play a large role in achieving that goal.

SYCAMORE’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Take care of the football and make Mason prove they can stop the run. The formula for success lies in the legs of Ingle, Charles and Ford. 

Prediction: Sycamore 21, Mason 14

 

 

 

 

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