Woodstock Looks to Stay Sharp on the Road Against Riverwood

Scouting the Raiders

The Riverwood Raiders will look to play the role of spoiler this week as they host their final home game of the season. The Raiders have struggled offensively in recent weeks, being shut out in their last three contests. For the season, Riverwood is averaging 9.6 points per game while allowing 32.1 on defense.

Offensively, the Raiders will likely look to Zach Stair through the air, who might be one of the region’s most underrated receivers. Stair has been a steady target for quarterback A.J. Rahal throughout the season. On the ground, Noah Myers is expected to lead the rushing attack.

Defensively, Lawrence Levine has been a bright spot, leading the team with 82 total tackles and 39 solo stops. Brandon Leonard ranks second with 29 tackles, while senior linebacker David Ellis has provided solid production up front with 4.5 sacks and 8 tackles for loss.

Scouting the Wolverines

The Woodstock Wolverines head into the matchup hoping to avoid a post-bye-week letdown as they continue their push toward the postseason. The Wolverines are averaging 211.4 passing yards and 152.1 rushing yards per game. Junior quarterback Graham Burmeister has been outstanding, throwing for 1,645 yards, rushing for 653, and accounting for 23 total touchdowns.

Burmeister’s top target, Ryland Hubbard, leads the team with 58 receptions for 643 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Xavier Murphy provides balance both as a runner and receiver, with 273 rushing yards, 209 receiving yards, and 5 total touchdowns. Trace Washington has also been an efficient contributor in the backfield, adding 230 yards and 2 touchdowns while averaging 6.6 yards per carry.

Defensively, Tyler Howard leads the team with 51 total tackles, and Trace Washington has added 28. Djibril Ba has anchored the defensive line with a team-high 11 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, consistently disrupting opposing offenses.

Keys to Victory

Riverwood:

• Sustain Drives: Long possessions will be crucial to keep Burmeister and the Woodstock offense off the field.

• Get Stair Involved Early: Building confidence in the passing game could help open up the run for Myers.

• Limit Explosive Plays: The defense must prevent big gains and force Woodstock to drive the length of the field.

  
  

Woodstock:

• Start Fast: Avoid early mistakes or slow drives that could give Riverwood confidence.

• Keep the Balance: Continue to mix Burmeister’s arm and legs with contributions from Murphy and Washington.

• Stay Focused: Don’t overlook a scrappy Riverwood team despite their struggles.

Pundit's Pick

Woodstock has been the more complete and consistent team this season. If the Wolverines execute offensively and avoid turnovers, they should control this one from start to finish.

Prediction: : Woodstock by 28.