ALLEGAN — First-year Dowagiac coach Randy Brooks has seen some good things out of his team through the first three weeks of the season.

But if the Chieftains are going to run their winning streak to three games Friday night, there are still improvements to be made.

Dowagiac improved to 2-1 on the season last Friday night with a 46-0 win over host Allegan in a game that saw the Chieftains run for 311 yards and throw for 122 yards. That type of balance can keep a team guessing.

Dowagiac may need to keep a good Paw Paw defense guessing when the two square off in a key Wolverine Conference clash at Chris Taylor Alumni-Field Friday night.

“We improved at linebacker tremendously, and we needed to,” Brooks said. “We looked pretty good defensively. I thought our communication was better in the back seven of our defense. When they adjusted and went different formations we lined up correctly and played football.”

On defense, Dowagiac was led by Lamberto Paredes who had nine tackles. Luke Staten had five tackles, while T.J. Reed intercepted a pass and Hunter Williamson recovered a fumble.

On the other side of the football, Brooks was pleased to see his team run and throw the ball as well as it did.

Cailyn Murphy was 6-of-8 for 122 yards and a touchdown, while he also ran for 55 yards and a pair of scores. D.J. Lanier had a team-high 124 yards rushing, including a 90-yard touchdown run.

“That is nice to be able to [throw the football] when those opportunities present themselves,” Brooks said. “They put eight guys up in the box and we had a lot of one-on-ones on the outside. We have three guys, [Alex] McIntosh, [T.J.] Reed and [Dave] Collier, who can go get it pretty good.”

Brooks has also noticed that quarterback Murphy is getting more comfortable with his trio of receivers as the weeks go by.

“All three of those guys are getting better each week.”

The third phase of the game, which can often be overlooked — special teams — got into the scorebook as well against the Tigers as De’Ondray Henry took the second-half kickoff and returned it 90 yards with the help of some downfield blocking.

“Boogie took the second-half kickoff to the house, and picked up some good blocks along the way,” Brooks said. “I think there was a block by Wyatt [Bailey] at about the 10-yard line. So, he hustled to get down there and make that last block so he could get into the end zone. That is good to see that it is not just one guy doing it on his own. It was a group effort, which we will need this week.”

The Chieftains face a talented Paw Paw team Friday night. The Redskins have mowed down their first three opponents — Three Rivers, Allegan and Plainwell — by a combined score of 123-6.

Dowagiac and Paw Paw have faced two common opponents in Three Rivers and Allegan. Paw Paw defeated those two teams 42-0 and 47-6, while Dowagiac beat the Wildcats and Tigers 35-0 and 46-0.

“If you look at it, we have two common opponents and the scores were similar in those two games,” Brooks said. “In the other game, we had to play the Eddies and they played Plainwell. So, I think it will be a good one. It should be a good matchup. They have a good defense and they fly around to the ball. They have pretty good team speed.”

Dowagiac has won three of the last five meetings with Paw Paw. Last year, the Chieftains were defeated 3-0 in their season finale.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.