This Friday, the Dodgers are set to take on the Cedar Grove Panthers. Last year, when these two teams fought, the Panthers came out victorious with a 35-7 win. The Dodgers are taking this loss as a good jump starter for this season.
Coming into their third game this season, the Dodgers have started to adjust to the changes from losing seniors from last year. Senior Jackson Strauss scored two touchdowns having a stand out performance during their matchup against Mendham last Saturday. Prior to this game, Strauss had been playing exclusively defense for the Dodgers, but with many open positions on the field, Coach Chris Kubik saw potential and switched him to running back on the offensive line.
Strauss is not the only player who has been moved on the field, after the devastating injury of Senior lineman Liam Melvin, there was a gaping hole on the defensive line. Melvin’s injury posed a challenge for Kubik to solve. In the first game, Carter Ferris stepped in to help support the defensive line. But, in the latest game against Mendham, Kubik moved Peter Mcguire into Liam’s position, which proved successful, with their 42-8 victory. Through all the expected and unexpected challenges that the Dodgers have had to face so far this season, it seems they are only coming out stronger and better.
Not only is Madison’s line up going to help them through their battle with Cedar Grove this week, they also have already racked up some impressive stats in only their first two games. Senior Quarterback Luke McGuire is averaging 192.5 passing yards for the Dodgers per game. Cedar Grove’s quarterback, Pierce Asfalg has averaged 198 passing yards per game. McGuire is averaging slightly less yards so far this season, but Madison has a history of being a running team. They are winning the race at wide receiver. Dodgers wide receiver, Carter Ferris, is averaging 88 receiving yards per game. Michael Ruggiano Cedar Grove’s wide receiver is only averaging 69 receiving yards for the Panthers.
With similar stats, vengeance and a new fresh lineup, the fans are in for a tight match when the Dodgers and the Panthers face off at 7:00pm this Friday night.