Chiefs Reload After Heartbreaker, Welcome the Knights to Hickory Flat
Scouting the Chiefs
Sequoyah's offense was explosive in last week's loss, generating 456 yards of total offense.
Quarterback Nolan Shakar threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns against Lee County. On the season, Shakar has thrown for 591 yards and five touchdowns.
Duke Sanders had a breakout performance for the Chiefs, catching four passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns. Sanders also threw a touchdown pass, showcasing his versatility and big-play ability. Through the first three games, Sanders has eight receptions for 242 yards and three touchdowns and is beginning to establish himself as one of the region's most dangerous playmakers. Junior Robert Van Alstyne has also been a reliable target, hauling in 14 passes for 157 yards.
The Chiefs' ground game continues to be paced by Trace Washington, who has rushed for 322 yards and three touchdowns. Washington is averaging an impressive 11 yards per carry.
Defensively, Sequoyah is led by Brady Streeter, who has 37 total tackles, two sacks and eight tackles for loss, and Drew Williams, who has 35 tackles, two sacks and five tackles for loss.
Danny Palmese came up big last week with two interceptions against Lee County and now leads the Chiefs with three interceptions on the season.
Scouting the Knights
The River Ridge Knights enter this matchup looking to improve on last week's effort. The Knights were competitive, as they have been throughout the season, but ultimately came up short against county rival Cherokee.
Quarterback Hunter Lockerman continues to pace the River Ridge offense. Lockerman has thrown for 555 yards and rushed for 116 yards this season.
With Micah Pugh sidelined by injury, Sam Paul has stepped in and provided 65 yards on the ground.
The Knights have several weapons in the passing game. Andrew Rowe has four receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns, while Barrentine Quinn has six receptions for 66 yards. Hudson McKoy leads the team with eight receptions for 169 yards and a touchdown.
River Ridge is averaging 191.3 yards per game through the air but just 83 yards per game on the ground.
Keys to the Game
Sequoyah Chiefs
Pressure Lockerman: Sequoyah's defense needs to make the River Ridge quarterback uncomfortable.
Get Washington going: The Chiefs' explosive running back has been difficult for opposing defenses to contain.
Get Sanders involved: Sanders has quickly become one of Sequoyah's biggest big-play threats.
Force turnovers: Palmese and the Chiefs' secondary have already shown an ability to create takeaways.
River Ridge Knights
Find a way to run the football: The Knights will need more production on the ground to keep Sequoyah's defense honest.
Protect Lockerman: Sequoyah will likely look to bring pressure throughout the night.
Hit explosive plays: Rowe and McKoy have the ability to make big plays against any secondary.
Avoid turnovers: River Ridge cannot afford to give an explosive Sequoyah offense extra possessions.
Pundit's Pick
The road gets tougher this week for the Knights as they face perhaps the most explosive offense in the region and one of its best defenses.
Expect Sequoyah's defense to pin its ears back and come after Hunter Lockerman, looking to disrupt the River Ridge passing game. Meanwhile, not many teams have been able to slow down Trace Washington, and with the emergence of Duke Sanders as a game-breaking playmaker, it could be a long night for the Knights.
River Ridge has enough talent to make some plays, but Sequoyah's combination of speed, explosiveness and defensive pressure should prove to be too much.
Prediction: Sequoyah by 4 touchdowns
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