Homecoming: Arabians vs. Marauders preview

Pendleton - The Hoosier Heritage Conference game of the week is also homecoming night for the Pendleton Heights Arabians.

At 7:30 p.m. today, PH will face Mt. Vernon, which is off to a scorching start. But once again, MV is faced with doubts as to whether it can finish strong, something the program has struggled to do in the past decade.

A rededicated emphasis on weight training and conditioning commenced days after the program’s 31-7 loss to Pendleton Heights in the first-round of sectional play last Oct. 21.

So far, MV’s hard work has paid off. Aside from a season-opening overtime setback to Kokomo, the Marauders handled their next three opponents (Marion, Yorktown and Rushville) by a combined 149-50.

Those blowout victories have been achieved by using a brutalizing ground game, as MV (3-1, 2-0 HHC) has rushed for 320, 396 and 443 yards in those three contests.

Pendleton Heights enters week five with a 3-1 record. Its lone loss came by just three points, 17-14, to Shelbyville last week at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Despite that, they are ranked 13th in the 4A Coaches’ poll, and 10th in the 4A media poll. The Arabian offense is averaging 35.75 points per game. The defense has been consistent, only allowing 16 points per game.

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