Two teams headed in different directions meet at 7 p.m. Friday in Collinsville.
Celeste (0-6, 0-1 in District 9-2A-Division II) is searching for its first win of the season when it visits unbeaten Collinsville (6-0, 1-0).
The Blue Devils suffered a 67-7 loss to Era last week, while the Pirates defeated Lindsay, 38-7.
“We played pretty well defensively,” Collinsville head coach Garrett Patterson said. “We only had a couple of breakdowns which led to the quality of the defensive performance.”
Collinsville returned to action last week after a bye Oct. 2. Patterson felt the Pirates were a little out of sync offensively against Lindsay.
“Offensively, we were execution-wise just a tad bit off which is to be expected when you are coming off a bye,” he said. “Timing is crucial. You just cannot reproduce the timing that is required in a game from practice.”
Collinsville was led by Paxton Davidson (298 yards, three TDs passing), Gavin Molsbee (six catches, 93 yards) and Chase Sheppard (10 carries, 53 yards, two TDs rushing; two catches, 80 yards, TD receiving).
Carter Larance (four catches, 59 yards, TD) and Caysen Schafer (three catches, 24 yards, TD) also contributed.
Celeste is led offensively by quarterback Levi Melton (244 yards, TD passing; 240 yards, five TDs rushing), wide receiver/quarterback Levi Gross (114 yards passing; seven catches, 86 yards, TD receiving) and Ashton Slaton (10 catches, 119 yards).
Defensively, linebackers Memphis Buckley (28 tackles) and Gerardo Hernandez (26 tackles), defensive end Harvey McFee (25 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks) and free safety Gross (25 tackles) lead the way.
The Blue Devils operate out of a spread offense featuring either four receivers or three receivers and a tight end. Defensively, Celeste uses multiple formations.
Patterson said the Pirates must maintain their standards regardless of the opponent.
“We have to raise the bar when it comes to expectation of what a quality performance looks like no matter the opponent,” Patterson said.
