John Marshall at Mayo
7 p.m. Friday, Mayo Stadium
Records: John Marshall is 3-1 overall, 3-1 Big Nine; Mayo is 3-1, 3-1.
Last week:JM lost to Mankato West 56-14. Mayo beat Faribault 35-28.
Last meeting:Mayo defeated JM 42-20 in a Section One, Class AAAAA semifinal game at John Drews Field on Oct. 27, 2012. Mayo led 29-7 at halftime and outgained JM 416-231 in total yards.
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Mayo notes:Though JM leads the all-time series 33-20-1, Mayo has won eight of the past 11 meetings. … The Spartans believe they've found their identity after rolling up more than 300 rushing yards in a win against Faribault last week. Mayo didn't have a 100-yard rusher in the first three weeks, but both Tommy Fjelsted (208 yards) and Loren Lorang (104) topped the 100-yard mark. … Tight end Matt Rogers is developing into one of QB Jay Alston's go-to targets. Rogers, who doesn't drop a pass if it's in his range, has 12 catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns this season. ... Since a season-opening loss at Owatonna, Mayo has outscored its next three opponents 116-34.
JM notes:JM should be in better shape this week with the return of quarterback/linebacker Kaeleb Stangler. Stangler missed last week's game against Mankato West with a sprained ankle. JM might have particularly paid for his absence at linebacker against West, which had its way running up the middle against the Rockets. . .JM may not have been ready for the speed of West after drilling three struggling teams to begin its season — Winona, Albert Lea and Austin. . .
JM coach Jack Drews:"In order to win we have to contain Fjelsted and Lorang and play better team defense. On offense we have to mix up the pass and run and take what Mayo gives us. It is always an emotional game and we have to play with emotion in order to win."
Mayo coach Donny Holcomb:"We expect JM to be a hard-nosed team with more all-around speed than we’ve seen in the past three weeks. We know from the history of the JM/Mayo battle that it will be a very physical game and one that will carry a lot of excitement. They have a very physical and explosive tailback that we need to contain and wrap up. We definitely need to have a clean game without penalties playing against us like last week and we will be ready to play four quarters of Spartan football."
Next:JM plays host to Faribault, while Mayo plays at Austin on Oct. 4.
Twitter:@PBFeldy.
Radio:KFAN-AM 1270.
— Jason Feldman and Pat Ruff
