The Y102 Area Game of the Week is in Phillipsburg tonight for a Mid-Continent League showdown between the Ellis Railroaders and the Phillipsburg Panthers. Both teams stumbled out of the gate against a very difficult schedule and have dealt with early season injuries.
The Ellis Railroaders are still searching for their first win of the season, under 5th year coach Butch Hayes. The Railroaders return 11 starters from last season’s team that finished 5-5. Senior Riley Hunsicker takes over the reins of the spread offense that scored 18.1 points per game last season. So far this season Ellis is averaging 225 yards per game against the likes of Norton, Plainville and Smith Center. Austin Lopez, Ellis’ leading receiver last season, has been Hunsicker’s favorite target this season, with 10 receptions for 233 yards and two touchdowns.
The leader of the Railroaders 3-5 defense, Jared Herl, was supposed to sure up the defense like he did last season but suffered a foot injury in the first game of the season and is out again this week. Lopez, Hunsicker and Gage Younger have anchored the back end of the Railers defense that has allowed 380 yards per game this season.
Injuries have been a big factor for the Phillipsburg Panthers as well this season. While Sean Newlan returns in his Junior as the starting quarterback the injury bug has bitten his backfield mates. Phillipsburg’s fullback Ross Coomes is the leading rusher on the season with 197 yards and 1 touchdown. Tonight Hunter Kohler will make his first start of the year at wingback and Matt Schneider moves from wide receiver to wingback to fill holes left to injury.
Junior Seth Derr has proved to be a big target on the outside for Newlan. Derr has seven receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Tad Thompson also has seven receptions for 110 yards and one touchdown opposite of Derr. The Panthers opened the season with losses to Plainville and Smith Center before beating Oakley last week to earn their first win. Through three games the Panthers are averaging 331 yards per game and 29 points per game.
Defensively the Panthers are allowing 330 yards rushing to three pretty good rushing attacks. Tonight, at times, they will use a three man front to counter the passing attack of the Railroaders. Defensive end William Sauer has had a great start too the season and helps to anchor the defense alongside linebacker Ross Coomes and defensive backs Seth Derr and Sean Newland.
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