LAPEL — Though it’s early in the season, Lapel’s homecoming will be a battle of undefeated teams.
The Bulldogs (2-0) are coming off their defeat of the Frankton Eagles — their ninth-straight win — while their homecoming opponent, North Decatur, is also 2-0.
Lapel put up 37 points Aug. 30 against Frankton, which scored just 7 points in the game.
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Miller saw definite improvement from Week 1.
“Offensive-wise, we didn’t have as many botched assignments, and we executed pretty well,” Miller said. Overall — offense, defense, special teams — I thought we played pretty well.”
The Bulldogs’ win versus the Eagles included two kickoff returns for touchdowns.
Junior Tanner Mroz and sophomore Kyle Shelton each ran more 75 yards to score.
The returns were nearly back-to-back as Shelton’s came with just seconds on the clock to end the half, while Mroz opened the second half with runback.
North Decatur, which has downed South Decatur 39-7 and Edinburgh 49-7, and Lapel, which defeated Elwood 42-6 and Frankton 37-7, have similar game stats so far this season.
Chargers quarterback Alex Stirn has passed for 387 yards for five touchdowns in North Decatur’s two games.
Bulldogs quarterback Cole Alexander is at 339 yards and five touchdowns, but the difference is Alexander is a scrambler and has 128 yards rushing as well.
Chargers running back Nick Kinker averages more than eight yards per carry, and with 177 yards so far this season, he has also surpassed his previous season’s total.
Lapel senior Josiah Scott put up 86 yards rushing against Frankton and has 190 for the season.
Bulldog defenders will have to shut down leading North Decatur receiver Logan Koehne, but Coach Miller said his defense is getting where they need to be.
Brandon Wood and Eli Michalek each had an interception against Frankton.
Miller said they’d already watch some film on North Decatur.
“They are a well-coached team, and it will be a test for us. We’re going to have to come up with a plan and hopefully execute it next Friday (Sept. 6),” Miller said.
In the Frankton game, Alexander, Mroz, Shelton, Charlie Prough and Parker Allman scored for the Bulldogs.
Kickoff for Friday’s homecoming game is 7 p.m.