Week 7 football preview: Southwest Valley, Mount Ayr face big tests, NV looks to get back on track, Lenox and Murray square off

Southwest Valley vs. Earlham

TIME AND SITE: 7 p.m. in Earlham

RECORDS: Southwest Valley 3-3, Earlham 5-1

LAST MATCHUP (2018): Earlham 32, Southwest Valley 0

OVERVIEW: A loss to a then one-win St. Albert after a great defensive showing at Nodaway Valley will certainly have the Timberwolves amped up and ready to get back in the win column, but hitting the road to face a Class A No. 8 ranked Earlham team is going to be a huge test for head coach Anthony Donahoo and SWV.

After taking Clarinda to the wire in Week 4, the matchup may not entirely be a lock in favor of Earlham, who has not seceded more than 15 points since its Week 1 loss to Class 1A No. 2 Van Meter (33-12). Earlham has been rolling, partly due to Caleb Swalla's 1,313 yards rushing on offense and a group tallying 18 tackles for a loss with eight interceptions. The talent across the board shows in the box scores, but can Southwest Valley slow it down with an offense that chews clock and relies on possession?

SWV limited a then-undefeated Clarinda team to nine points on a Connor Brown score, a missed conversion and a Nathan Barnes field goal. While Brown hauled off for 158 yards on 26 attempts, outside of his stat line was a less than impressive day for the Cardinals (71 yards of offense without Brown). If SWV can limit Swalla to under 200 yards rushing and chew clock without falling too far behind, SWV could make it a very good game.

SOUTHWEST VALLEY PLAYERS TO WATCH: The trio of Brendan Knapp, Hunter Crill and Blake Venteicher will need to hold on to the football and refuse to get stopped for a loss to keep SWV in the fight Friday. Along with them, Tallen Myers, Tyler Pearson and Mat Johnston need to find a way to the ball carrier to make sure Earlham drives stall out when necessary. Everyone needs to show up Friday, but those listed above need to take their elevated game to the next level against a state ranked opponent like Earlham.

EARLHAM PLAYERS TO WATCH: While Caleb Swalla has racked up yardage and scores, Jacob Ridgley has had a very respectable season as the second back behind Swalla. A 13.4 yards per carry total is the highest among regular runners and his 494 yards rushing is second highest on the team. His 122-yard game against Pleasantville shows he's a capable alternative to Swalla, so he may see downs if Swalla goes down with injury or needs a break.

AHSTW vs. Nodaway Valley

TIME AND SITE: 7 p.m. in Greenfield

RECORDS: AHSTW 3-3, Nodaway Valley 3-4

LAST MATCHUP (2018): AHSTW 50, Nodaway Valley 0

OVERVIEW: It'll be tough for either side to keep up with Earlham, who's RPI has it at 10th in Class A, but both Nodaway Valley and AHSTW need a win Friday night to make the run for second in Class A District 9 interesting. NV hasn't picked up a win against district opponents (0-2), so Friday has a much bigger implication for district standings.

Nodaway Valley's loss to a then-winless Riverside without a doubt hurts, but the Wolverines will get a second chance Friday against an AHSTW team which has allowed either a lead running backs to rush for 100 yards or more three times in its last four games.

The one outlier of those four games is a win against Martensdale-St. Marys, where AHSTW was unable to hold Jack Franey to under 200 yards passing. NV doesn't come without its own warts though, allowing three 100-plus yard rushers in its last two games. NV can limit the pass attack, thanks to two interceptions from Clay Hohertz and Caelen DeVault (Colby Harris, Adam Ayase and Blake Lund also have INTs).

One will need to work for NV to get back in the win column and snap the two game skid as the postseason nears.

Note: The AHSTW offensive coordinator is head coach G.G. Harris, Creston's second-leading all-time passing leader.

AHSTW PLAYERS TO WATCH: AHSTW's dual running package of Denver Pauley and Jackson Woltmann should be a point of emphasis for Nodaway Valley head coach Flynn Heald. They average 5.5 and 4.4 yards per carry, respectively, and have a combined nine touchdowns. While quarterback Blake Holst can sling it (725 yards, 52.5 percent completion), AHSTW will look to Pauley and Woltmann to try and replicate what previous rushing attacks have done against NV.

NODAWAY VALLEY PLAYERS TO WATCH: As mentioned above, the Wolverines will need an upgraded run defense combined with either Tony Ayase or Nathan Russell being on their game. After 19 yards against Southwest Valley, Ayase bounced back for 101 yards against Riverside and looks to be back in regular form. Russell has 254 yards passing and two INTs in his last two games, but has had much more limited pass attempt numbers than earlier in the season.

Murray vs. Lenox

TIME AND SITE: 7 p.m. in Lenox

RECORDS: Murray 1-4, Lenox 6-1

LAST MATCHUP (2018): Lenox 36, Murray 22

OVERVIEW: Southeast Warren may have shocked Lenox last week, knocking off a ranked Lenox team in a 28-8 win, but this week Lenox will be out for vengeance and will try to capitalize on a struggling Murray team at home.

Murray has had problems stopping teams with solid offenses, getting outscored 178-38 in games it has lost. If Lenox hasn't been removed of all confidence in its offense, the Tigers may repeat the start they had to open the season and put up a crooked number.

Murray’s offense had a strong start and finish last Friday and may be able to crack the scoreboard by way of a Zack Belden to Jace Rodecker connection or a Chance Lecy score, given the chances of the Mustangs having to play catch up and resorting to the pass. They'll need to avoid a Lenox team which has 11 interceptions in order to find the end zone if they want to score.

With Monday also being the rescheduled day for Murray's game against Seymour, Mustangs head coach Taylor Fulton will have some decisions to make when it comes down to who he will give rest with a short turn around for the next game. A lot of personnel will be seeing the field in a Murray uniform Friday and Monday night.

MURRAY PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Mustangs were without Reece Held last week, but he will be back Friday night against the Tigers. He's been missed as Murray lost three games without him in the lineup. If he's up to speed, he'll be important for a Murray team who will have its hands full with Lenox's strong offense.

LENOX PLAYERS TO WATCH: Watch for Lenox's rushing defense to try and neutralize Murray's Chance Lecy and look for the secondary to be lurking for an interception off Zack Belden. The Tigers have shown they have no problem putting points on the board, despite only eight points on the board last week, and the defense will be ready for a confidence-boosting day to get back into the win column.

Mount Ayr vs. Clarinda

TIME AND SITE: 7 p.m. in Clarinda

RECORDS: Mount Ayr 5-1, Clarinda 4-2

LAST MATCHUP (2018): Mount Ayr 28, Clarinda 6

OVERVIEW: Mount Ayr was bounced out of the state rankings last week in a tight 14-6 battle against a good Panorama team. This week the schedule does not get any kinder to the Raiders, going up against a two-loss Clarinda team which, similar to Mount Ayr, opened the season on a roll as winners of four straight.

Clarinda has dropped back-to-back games and the Raiders will be eager to make it three in a row for the Cardinals, but losses against ACGC and Panorama (combined 11-1) are quality losses that does not discredit Clarinda. The Cards have a mixed bag as to what makes them work, including a good defense and playmakers on offense who can score at any point in Connor Brown and QB Michael Shull.

It'll be another big week for Mount Ayr, facing its second quality opponent in as many weeks, and will be a tight contest and one to watch come kick off Friday night.

MOUNT AYR PLAYERS TO WATCH: Isaac Grose, Dawson Swank and Payton Weehler each have over 200 yards rushing for the season and a combined eight scores (Weehler has seven passing TDs). Despite the mix on offense the defense is what Mount Ayr is good at Grose's nine tackles for a loss (five sacks) will be big in the ability to get to the quarterback and make pressure. MA has 46 tackles for a loss (third in 1A) and 19 solo sacks (tied for first in 1A). The ability to hurry passes and get behind the line of scrimmage will be on display Friday.

CLARINDA PLAYERS TO WATCH: Despite leading the team in rushing yards at 603, Connor Brown is not the TD leader for the Cardinals. Michael Shull's ability to both pass and throw (292 yards passing, 271 rushing) has seen him score 10 all-purpose touchdowns and his dual threat ability will be on display. If he's wily enough to avoid Mount Ayr's defensive line, he had Nathan Lindsay (eight catches, 122 yards) and Cole Rindour (eight catches 111 yards) to throw to. However, look for this offense to hold on to the ball and run with it (945 yards rushing).

Lamoni vs. East Union

TIME AND SITE:

7 p.m. in Afton

RECORDS: Lamoni 5-1, East Union 3-3

LAST MATCHUP (2018): Lamoni 38, East Union 34

OVERVIEW: After a good defensive effort against Murray last week, the Eagles enter Friday fresh off a snapped two-game skid. While a 30-18 win over a Mustangs team who had not played in over a week may not be the best test for EU before facing a strong Lamoni team, showings from Anthony Smith (two INTs, 102 rushing yards), Brody Kinyon (seven tackles) and Kael Seales (two sacks) could be the confidence boost the Eagles need to some wind in its sails as the season draws to a close.

Lamoni enters Friday winners of its last four games, and has not allowed more than 10 points in each game while scoring no less than 32. It may have a good chance on paper to give EU a lot of trouble, but with EU unable to match the intensity of Lenox, Southeast Warren and East Mills (who Lamoni lost to) earlier this season the Eagles need to play perfect football to hang all four quarters against Lamoni.

LAMONI PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Patrick Savage has 11 touchdowns and 541 yards passing along with 18 rushing scores and 710 yards rushing and two interceptions on defense. The dual threat will no doubt be a problem for EU, but his defensive skills (25 tackles, two INTs) paired with team tackles leader Harrison Sellars (25 1/2) and Dakota Boswell (four sacks) may put Lamoni over the edge.

EAST UNIONP

LAYERS TO WATCH: 

Gauge Mitchell got to the Murray's Zack Belden last week enough to cause him to throw under pressure nearly every passing attempt. Mitchell also had a sack in the end zone for a saftey. If he can repeat that performance and improve on his team-leading tackles total (53 1/2, six for a loss), EU's defense will be in business.