TriStateFootball.com
Home / Cincinnati / Preview: CHCA at Purcell Marian

Preview: CHCA at Purcell Marian

Wathel Phillips (2) and Jayden Egbert (8), Purcell Marian (photo by: LeTisha Mosley / purcellmarianathletics.org)

The Blitz 5 Game of the Week heads to Purcell Marian as the Cavaliers host CHCA in a Miami Valley Conference Scarlet Division battle. It is the first ever on campus homecoming football game at Purcell Marian. The crowd should be in a frenzied state as the Eagles have the unenviable task of trying to pull out a win and rain on the home team’s parade.  

CHCA EAGLES (2-4, 1-0) at PURCELL MARIAN CAVALIERS (4-2, 1-0)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Staubach Stadium
Follow on X: @TSFootball 

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The CHCA offense gets going behind the arm of Isaiah Petty. The senior leads the MVC with 1,440 yards (240.0/game) and 16 touchdowns passing. Petty also has 188 yards and a pair of scores rushing. His top target is classmate 6-foot-7, 235-pound senior tight end Reno Roehm. He has 28 receptions for 487 yards and nine touchdowns. On defense Roehm has been a force with 38 total tackles (26 solo), three-and-a-half sacks and seven tackles for losses. Giving Petty the protection he needs are the ginormous twins Mercer and Charlton Luniewski. They are committed to Michigan State. Juniors Brayden Mitchum and Jackson Vest have been outstanding on both sides of the ball. Mitchum has a team best 455 yards and five touchdowns rushing. He also has 18 receptions, 148 yards receiving and 29 total tackles. Vest has been a big play threat over the past four weeks averaging 32.9 yards on 12 receptions and five touchdowns.

Like CHCA, Purcell Marian packs a punch on offense. Cavaliers running back Jayel Harris has 1,000 yards rushing, and is averaging 10.6 yards per carry with 13 touchdowns. Classmate Sonny Ward has 2,464 yards passing, 929 yards rushing and 23 touchdowns (13 pass, 10 rush) at the varsity level. Senior Levi Smiley has reeled in 24 balls for 539 yards (22.5/rec) and five touchdowns. Making his presence felt in all phases of the game is Jayonn Saunders. The junior has racked up 419 all-purpose yards, has 11 receptions, 39 total tackles and seven interceptions. Saunders has an interception in all six games and 17 career picks. Wathel Phillips has 54 total tackles and Jayden Egbert has four sacks, both team highs. 

TEAM TRENDS: CHCA hasn’t won a league title since 2018. It was the last of six consecutive MVC championships for the Eagles.

Purcell Marian is seeking its third consecutive winning season, something it has accomplished in the 21st century. The Cavaliers haven’t had a regular season winning streak of more than two games since 2020. 

HEAD COACHES:
CHCA: Clavin Renfroe (2-4 at CHCA, first year; 2-4 overall)

Purcell Marian: Jeremy Pflug (4-2 at Purcell Marian, first year; 59-28 overall, ninth year)

PLAYOFF HISTORY:
CHCA (17 appearances, 17-17 overall) – 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 (Regional champions), 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2005 (State runner-up), 2003, 2002

Purcell Marian (seven appearances, 9-6) – 2022, 2021, 2020, 2000, 1999, 1997 (Regional Champion), 1986 (State Champion)

CHCA’S KEYS TO VICTORY: It’s simple, keep the opponent out of the end zone. Knowing that your offense has to score five touchdowns a game is taxing. This team is more talented than its 2-4 record shows. The Eagles are more than capable of playing at a higher level.

PURCELL MARIAN’S KEYS TO VICTORY: This team really shines when the rushing attack gets going early. That allows Ward and the passing game to flourish. Things change considerably for the offense, if that doesn’t happen. Defensively, the Cavs need to continue putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. It has led to 13 takeaways.

Prediction: Purcell Marian 34, CHCA 28

 

 

You must be logged in to post a comment Login