By TYLER HENRY
Little Apple Post contributor
After toiling through a 2-6 regular season the Riley County Falcons will line up for an interesting week nine matchup in an elimination game against the #5 team in Class 2A.
On paper, Silver Lake holds every advantage, entering this game at 6-2 with losses only at the hands of ranked 4A and 3A opponents.
The Eagles hold the #2 passing offense in Class 2A (235 yds/g), as well as the #3 total offense (407 yds/g), and have imposed their will on opposing secondaries for the better part of eight weeks.
With all that said, there is one set of numbers that may very well tell a larger story between these two; a 28-21 win for Silver Lake over Riley County in week one.
For four quarters, the Falcons battled and in the end, managed to keep a contest with a top-ten team in 2A to just one score.
Now, in a do-or-die week nine matchup, Riley County will look to finish the job, after playing what they believe to be their best football down the home stretch of the regular season.
“I believe we’ve been playing our best football here as of late,” Falcons head coach Erik Willimon said. “We are asking a lot of guys to play different positions defensively and offensively down the stretch that they did not play at the first of the year.”
While many across the state of Kansas have counted Riley County out of this matchup, confidence remains rightfully high in the Falcon’s locker room as the team gears up for this rematch.
“Our guys are excited to go out and compete every week,” Willimon said. “This team has stayed together through the thick and the thin week in and week out. We are always excited to play for the opportunity to move on.”
The biggest saving grace for Riley County could very well be in a Silver Lake defense that has left much to be desired in 2022.
The Eagles concede more passing yards per game (171) than any other team in the state and rely on winning shootouts, allowing over 24 points per game.
That disparity could be just what Riley County needs to turn the tide and do the unthinkable, as the Falcons rank eighth in Class 2A in passing offense.
Despite all of that, the Falcons know that their opponent has grown just as they have throughout the course of the season, and will expect a dogfight come Friday night.
“Coach Pegram has his guys in the right spots to be successful,” Willimon said. “They are more dynamic in their passing game than what we saw in week one. We need to stay healthy, execute and eliminate penalties.”
Kickoff between the Falcons and Eagles is set for 7 pm with the winner advancing to take on 6-2 Sabetha or 6-2 Atchison County in the round of 16 next week.