Football game preview: John Marshall at Century

7 p.m. Friday at Century High School

Records: John Marshall is 1-2, Century is 0-3.

Last week:JM lost its second straight 24-14 at No. 1-ranked Mankato West; Century lost 42-23 at Red Wing. The Panthers have lost seven straight going back to last season.

Last meeting:JM and Century split two games last season. The Panthers won 31-12 in week four at Century. Century RB Aaron Ajke starred with 169 rushing on 24 carries, plus a 75-yard TD reception. JM gained revenge in the first round of the Section 1AAAAA playoffs with a 42-21 win also at Century. JM improved to 5-0 against Century in playoff games. The Rockets won the rushing war by a big 382-51 margin, led by Josh Mattison's 223 yards on 36 carries.

Century notes:Sophomore QB Caden Floodstrom made his varsity debut off the bench last week at Red Wing and completed 3-of-4 passes for 72 yards and a last-second touchdown, and he also rushed eight times for 66 yards. Now he's the Panthers' second-leading rusher behind senior RB Aaron Ajke (47 for 217) who is coming off a season-best 81 yards at Red Wing. Century has two of the top WR's in the city in juniors Miguel Benjamin (11 for 131) and Lucas Fisher (9 for 111).

JM notes:The Rockets are making an effort to diversify their offense. After throwing the football just once in all of regulation two weeks ago against Owatonna, JM threw it 20 times last week against Mankato West. . .JM running back Josh Mattison has been bothered by a sore foot to open the season. But the senior had a strong game against West with 92 yards rushing, including a 55-yard touchdown run. . .Brady Tuckner, regarded as one of JM's best all-around athletes, had his first two catches at tight end last week against West. One of them went for 25 yards and a touchdown.

JM coach Kevin Kirkeby:"We haven't played as well as we would have liked to this point. Against West we made too many mistakes in crucial situations. Century has a lot of weapons at the skill positions. And their defense is a tough one to get ready for with all of their slants and blitzes."

Century coach Jon Vik:"After watching film on John Marshall you can see they have an excellent group of skill players. JM has outstanding speed and a potent running game. Last week they opened things up a bit in the passing game showing more balance. Combine JM's speed at the skill positions with their distinct size advantage up front and you can see John Marshall poses a serious challenge for us defensively."

All-time series

(JM leads 13-8, 5-0 in playoffs)

1998:Did not meet in Century's first year.

1999:JM 24, Century 6

2000:JM 42, Century 14

2001:JM 27, Century 6

2001 playoffs:JM 31, Century 6 (1st rd)

2002:JM 28, Century 7

2003:Century 21, JM 14

2004:Century 21, JM 8

2004 playoffs:JM 20, Century 19 (section final)

2005:Century 41, JM 22

2006:Century 30, JM 6

2007:Century 40, JM 7

2008:JM 13, Century 0

2009:Century 37, JM 6

2010:Century 49, JM 14

2011:JM 28, Century 27

2011 playoffs:JM 35, Century 28 (1st rd)

2012:JM 56, Century 20

2013:JM 35, Century 7

2013 playoffs:JM 41, Century 7 (1st rd)

2014:Century 31, JM 12

2014 playoffs:JM 42, Century 21 (1st rd)

— Post-Bulletin staff