PENDLETON — The Pendleton Heights Arabians are 1-1 as they prepare to play host to New Castle on Friday.
After a close loss to Mississinewa to start the regular season, the Arabians defeated the Anderson Indians on the road 35-3 on Aug. 30.
“Anytime you get a win, it’s a good one,” coach Jed Richman said.
Running back Kamden Earley will be in action against the Trojans as part of the total offensive action. Earley rushed for 221 yards and scored three touchdowns against the Indians.
“He’s a big part of what we do on both sides of the ball,” Richman said.
Despite the win, Richman said his team has to work on other aspects of the game.
“We are our own worst enemy. We got to clean up those turnovers,” Richman said.
The Arabians lost the ball on fumbles three times against Anderson. Arabians quarterback Kirby Hess threw one interception but still ended the night with 104 yards and 8 of 11 completions.
Richman said not only the team but the community has to take every opponent seriously.
“Everyone on our schedule is good. I need the community’s help.”
He said he knew that if he heard all week the Arabians would beat Anderson, he knew the team heard it.
“They (the players) have to be humble and we have to earn every win.”
New Castle will not be an easy opponent.
“We’re facing a team that’s very dangerous,” Richman said. “We’ve got to keep getting better, and I need everyone’s help keeping us humble.”
Trojan quarterback William Grieser is averaging more than 200 yards per game passing, and his favorite target, Brandon Matney, is catching the ball an average of 87 yards per game.
“We’re getting better,” Richman. “It’s one day at a time. We’re a very inexperienced team, and that showed tonight, but I thought we rallied very well, and I’m very proud of how we responded after halftime.”
Richman praised linebacker Joe Rios for his defensive spark and Hess for direction of the offense, and he credited his team for a win that wasn’t as easy as it looked.
Earley scored three touchdowns for the Arabians. Hess and Luke Bays each scored one.
Friday’s kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. on John Broughton Field.