TriStateFootball.com
Home / Cincinnati / Preview: Anderson at Turpin

Preview: Anderson at Turpin

Anderson WR/RS Evan Upchurch (photo by Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball.com)

What a way to end the regular season. It’s the annual battle for bragging rights in the Forest Hills School District as the Blitz 5 Comeback Tour takes us out to Turpin where the Spartans will duke it out with rival Anderson. 

Turpin is looking for its first win of the season against a team with a winning record. The red-hot Raptors have won five in a row. Anderson is determined to keep that momentum going as they head into the playoffs. Expect this affair to come down to the wire with emotions running high.

#14 ANDERSON RAPTORS (7-2, 6-1) at #19 TURPIN SPARTANS (6-3, 4-3)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Spartans Stadium
Follow on Twitter @TSFootball 

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Seniors Joey Faulkner and Evan Upchurch have been a dynamic duo for the Anderson offense. Faulkner has 105 receptions for 1,499 yards and 14 touchdowns (13 receiving). Upchurch has found the end zone 13 times (seven receiving, six rushing) with a team high 441 yards rushing and 36 catches for 513 yards. Junior quarterback Griffin Scalf has thrown for 3,238 yards and 31 touchdowns. He has also run for 420 yards and four scores. Seniors Brody Foley (University of Tennessee commit), Casey O’Toole, Noah Merkle, Wyatt Holt and Cole Hinkle set the tone for the Raptors on defense. Holt leads the squad with six sacks. Hinkle is right behind him with five takedowns. 

It has been a breakout senior campaign for Turpin’s Keenan Alcalde. He has 1,414 yards and 20 touchdowns rushing. Alcalde has run for at least 100 yards eight times in nine games (three tilts of 200-plus). Quarterback Will Schulok has thrown for 1,855 yards and 12 touchdowns. His top target is Ryan McDole who has caught 53 balls for 753 yards and nine touchdowns. Drew Covington has all five of the Spartans interceptions on defense.

TEAM TRENDS: The Anderson offense is averaging 42.3 points and 493.3 yards of total offense per game. In 65 games under head coach Evan Dreyer, the Raptors have scored 40 points or more 35 times. On defense, Anderson has been very opportunistic with 18.5 sacks and 12 interceptions.

Turpin has given up 76 points in their last two games (both losses. The Spartans held four of their first seven opponents to 14 points or fewer.

HEAD COACHES:
Anderson: Evan Dreyer (47-18 at Anderson, sixth year; 91-46 overall, 13th year)

Turpin: Kent McCullough (31-16 at Turpin, fifth year; 70-42 overall, 11th year)

PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Anderson (14 appearances, 17-13) – 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2009, 2008 (State Runner-up), 2007 (State Champion), 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1996, 1994, 1992

Turpin (12 appearances, 12-12) – 2020, 2019, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 (Regional Champion), 1995

ANDERSON’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Avoid turnovers. The Raptors don’t want to be their own worst enemy. Scoring will not be a problem. Getting out to an early lead will put pressure on the Turpin offense and take away their strength of running the football.

TURPIN’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Stick to the game plan, run the football and control the clock. Wearing down the Anderson defense will allow the Spartans to be in this game deep into the fourth quarter.

Prediction: Anderson 35, Turpin 27

 

 

 

You must be logged in to post a comment Login