By Patrick MacCoonRecord Sports Editor
Where: Wright City High School
When: Friday, Aug. 28
Time: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Orchard Farm — Phil Kendall. Wright City — Jeff Sargent.
Records: Orchard Farm — 0-1. Wright City — 1-0.
Last Year's Meeting: Orchard Farm 36, Wright City 18Despite only trailing the Eagles in total yards 267-254, the Wildcats let a close game slip away.Tyler Brittain’s 63-yard touchdown reception gave Wright City a 12-8 lead as time expired in the first quarter. With 4:41 left in the first half, Orchard Farm regained the lead and would not squander it.The loss was Wright City’s fourth straight to Orchard Farm. Kyle Tuepker finished with a career-high three passing touchdowns and completed 9-of-20 passing attempts for 129 yards. Brittain along with Troy Muse and Daniel Liddell accounted for the scores through the air. Christian Thompson led all with 11 tackles.
Outlook: With 475 yards of total offense in Week 1, Wright City has a good grasp on what its offense is capable of doing in 2015.DeRenzo Blanks and Tuepker each rushed for over 100 yards and will be a hard duo to stop for any opposing defense. Blanks provides the power out of the backfield while Tuepker has breakaway speed. Andrew Pfuhl became Wright City’s first 200-yard passer in the last four seasons on Friday with 223 yards passing. With options like Muse (136 receiving yards) and Brittain (70 receiving yards) at wide receiver, big plays can happen at any moment in the passing game.Wright City’s defense will look to feast on an Orchard Farm offense, which struggled to the tune of just 217 total yards in a loss to O’Fallon Christian last Friday.Austin Buchheit led a strong defensive performance for the Wildcats last week with 10 ½ tackles while Tuepker had 1 ½ sacks. David Ortega forced a fumble and recovered it as well while Muse intercepted a pass.
The Bottom Line: Playing smart football should win this game for the Wildcats, who enter with stronger playmakers on the offensive side of the ball.Last week, two touchdowns were called back due to blocks in the back, which negated long scores from Brittain and Tuepker.Wright City won the turnover battle 2-0 in its first win and only allowed one sack. Sargent is pleased with where his defense is at and believes it is much improved from last season.The Eagles graduated their top two offensive playmakers last year in Armand Keely (2,192 rushing yards, 30 touchdowns) and Tyler Westerfield (23 total touchdowns). This is the most opportune time for the Wildcats to end a one-sided series over the last four years.Week 2 provides an opportunity for Wright City to match its win total from last season.
Andrew Pfuhl and Troy Muse celebrate after a score last season. Muse accounted for 136 of Pfuhl's 223 passing yards in Week 1.
Don Adams Jr. photo.l
