By SCOTT NOVAK
Dowagiac Daily News

The two teams that will square off at Ford Field Friday night have connections to both Dowagiac and Niles.

The Chieftains were defeated by Three Rivers and Marshall defeated Niles, both on the second week of the seasons.

Dowagiac dropped a 35-14 decision to the Wildcats, while the Vikings were edged by the Red Hawks 20-18.

Three Rivers went on to go undefeated  and will put their 13-0 record on the line Friday night against a 12-1 Marshall squad.

The Red Hawks lone loss game against Jackson Lumen Christi, a 34-0 setback on Sept. 25.

Lumen Christi (12-1) will play for the Division 5 state championship on Saturday afternoon.

Scouting Three Rivers
The Wildcats go as quarterback Aaron Spence does.

The senior signal caller is a standout, who has some pretty solid weapons on offense.
“I think he is the most versatile player I have seen in my seven years in Michigan,” Dowagiac coach Mike Stanger said. “Marshall has to try to contain him. Aaron is very patient, if you play your db’s off to protect against the big play he will pick you apart in the flats with the slot receivers.”

Spence has thrown 34 touchdown passes against just four interceptions this season.
The Wildcats have several outstanding receivers to throw to and they can run the ball as well.

“If you blitz Spence your pass rush must stay in their lanes” Stanger noted. “He is very good at evading pressure and throwing on the run. He has a strong arm. If you drop seven or eight into coverage they will run the ball. Aaron is very good at that too!”

On defense, Three Rivers will use an odd man front and will probably play an eighth man into the box according to Stanger.

“The question to Friday night’s game is can Three Rivers defense control the line of scrimmage and get Marshall’s offense off the field?” he said. “Marshall will try to grind it out with their Division I running back and keep Three Rivers offense off the field.”

Scouting Marshall
Niles coach Dan Brawley said it will be tough for Three Rivers to control the Red Hawks on offense.

“Stopping Marshall’s offense is no easy task,” he said. “(Jamar) Wimberly is their biggest threat and is going to carry the ball most of the time.”

Wimberly scored all three touchdowns on runs of 1, 44 and 1-yard against the Vikings.
Brawley also said that Marshall is not necessarily going to throw the ball around a lot, so it’s important to contain the running backs and quarterback.

“Their quarterback is a better runner than he is a thrower, so you must get pressure in the middle, contain the sides and make him throw quickly, especially on long yardage downs,” he pointed out. “If they come out in the wishbone they are going to run power football.  They like to give it to the second back through, but don’t over pursue because they love to counter out of it.”

Brawley added that Marshall is solid on defense too.

Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.