Blue Devils Looks to Halt Skid Against Surging Eagles

Scouting the Blue Devils

The Marietta Blue Devils have dropped back-to-back games and are looking to stop the skid this week. The Blue Devils looked primed to compete for a region crown after defeating McEachern earlier this season, but they now find themselves trying to keep pace in the Region 5-7A standings.

Marietta is averaging 405 yards and 34.3 points per game. Quarterback Jayden Whiteside has thrown for 1,342 yards and 14 touchdowns. His top targets have been Jackson NeSmith (28 receptions, 571 yards, 5 touchdowns), Isaac Copeland(20 receptions, 210 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Brody Archie (19 receptions, 321 yards, 4 touchdowns). Meanwhile, Titus Grant continues to lead the ground game with 593 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Defensively, the Blue Devils are allowing 28 points per game. However, they have surrendered 91 points over their last two losses and will need to tighten things up against an explosive Etowah offense. Marietta has recorded six sacks and forced seven turnovers this season. Jude Morris leads the team with 37 total tackles and paces the secondary with two interceptions.

Scouting the Eagles

The Etowah Eagles have won three straight games and sit atop the Region 5-7A standings alongside North Paulding and North Cobb. Etowah has shown significant offensive improvement this season, averaging 38 points per game. If the Eagles maintain that pace, they would produce the highest-scoring offense in school history.

Etowah is averaging 220.7 yards per game on the ground and 155 through the air. Junior running back Kingston Ceaseris enjoying a breakout season, piling up 654 yards and 12 touchdowns on just 55 carries. His 11.9 yards per carry has helped take some of the pressure off quarterback Zeke Douglass, who has continued to improve his efficiency and decision-making. Douglass has thrown for 913 yards and eight touchdowns while adding 409 rushing yards and seven scores.

Walker Hughes (25 receptions, 358 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Nick Pacini (12 receptions, 250 yards, 3 touchdowns) have been Douglass’ top targets. Defensively, the Eagles are allowing 24.8 points per game. Shamrion McClaurin has been a tackling machine, recording 53 total tackles, including five tackles for loss and three sacks.

Keys to the Game

Marietta

• Establish Titus Grant and the running game to keep Etowah's offense on the sideline.

• Take advantage of Whiteside's passing ability and get the ball to Marietta's talented receiving corps.

• Limit explosive plays and force Etowah into difficult third-down situations.

• Protect the football and avoid giving the Eagles extra possessions.

Etowah Eagles

• Continue to feed Kingston Ceaser and capitalize on the explosive ground game.

• Use Douglass' dual-threat ability to keep the Marietta defense guessing.

• Pressure Whiteside and disrupt the timing of the Blue Devils' passing attack.

• Start fast and maintain the confidence built during the three-game winning streak.

Pundit's Pick

Etowah has improved in every phase of the game this season, and the Eagles have been especially dominant during their three-game winning streak. However, they face a significant step up in competition against a Marietta team with plenty of offensive firepower and experience against quality opponents.

Etowah's defense will need to find a way to contain a bruising running back in Grant while accounting for a talented group of receivers that includes one of the region's top tight ends. On the other side, Marietta must find a way to slow Ceaser and an Etowah ground game playing with tremendous confidence.

Friday's matchup should provide a good indication of whether Etowah is a legitimate region title contender or still has work to do. The Eagles will put up a fight, but playing on the road against a physical Marietta squad will be too much to overcome.

Prediction: Marietta by 7.