It’s rivalry week in the Summit Athletic Conference, which means we welcome another edition of the “Totem Pole Game” between the South Side Archers and the North Side Legends. It’s the 101st meeting between the two teams, with this one coming Friday at Chambers Field at North Side.
For those unfamiliar, the victor receives the Totem Pole, with a metal link of either a green arrow or a red tomahawk being added to the traveling trophy.
Here is our Game of the Week between the Archers and the Legends.
WHAT’S ON THE LINE
A rivalry that travels all the way back to the 1920s, North Side and South Side have battled for the Totem Pole for the ultimate bragging rights every season. It’s one of not only northeast Indiana’s longest rivalries, but one of the most storied in the state.
The last time the Archers defeated the Legends was back in 2017 with a 35-22 victory at home. The Legends have won the trophy 59 times, the Archers have won it 39 times, and there have been two ties.
Things seem different this time around. The Archers football program is better than it has been in recent years. North Side will also be without its star athlete, Maalik Moore, for the rest of the season. Both teams are loaded with talent, which should make this the Game of the Week for the area as this rivalry is amongst the best in Indiana.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
With Moore out for North Side, it changes the dynamic of its offense. Running back Brandon Gaither II and RB/WR Caleb Kiengele need to have huge performances. They will be called upon to make plays throughout the rest of the season to make up for Moore’s absence. Gaither II has run for 373 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns, while Kiengele has been reliable in both the running game and at slot receiver with his 260 yards rushing and 284 receiving yards and a touchdown. Expect both these players to have a huge impact on this game.
Defensively, North Side has playmakers everywhere that are going to try and make it a long Friday night for South Side’s O-line. Iowa State commit Leslie Woodson on the edge leads the team in tackles with 47 to go with 14 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Both Woodson and linebacker Jamarcus Martin will be everywhere, as they always are on defense. The entire defensive line of Darius and Nick Holley, Derrion Goodwin, and Omarion Waites will be very active and will attempt to get into the backfield and cause issues for South.
Jarnard Moore, who is one of the top lockdown cornerbacks in the area, will have the task of the night. He will likely be one-on-one with South’s Jayvon Irby and will be a matchup to watch.
The Archers are led offensively by Irby, who leads the team in rushing with 433 rushing yards and six rushing TDs. He also has 409 receiving yards for five receiving scores. Senior athlete Jaywin Harris has been playing some quarterback for the Archers and he will be a dual-threat QB that can pass, but has the potential to be dangerous out of the pocket as well.
Linebackers Detrick Smith III, Micah Billingsley, and Arelius Gatson will be the anchors on defense that will try to slow down the North Side running game. They’ve all accumulated over 40 tackles each and have been extremely impressive this season.
The other two players to watch on defense for South will be defensive back KJ Alexander, who is sneaky in interrupting opposing receivers’ routes and is due for a couple interceptions. The biggest name on defense that needs to be talked about more is edge rusher Bryant Morris. His 10 sacks ranks second in the state of Indiana and he still is somehow slipping under the radar. You better believe North Side’s coaching staff is well aware of the threat he possess off the edge.
It should be a great rivalry game and we will see who comes out on top for the 101st Totem Pole game.
BLITZ’S PICK
Check out who Blitz feel will win this game and others around the area!
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