WAYNESFIELD — Waynesfield-Goshen seeks to stay undefeated and atop the region computer rankings when struggling Northwest Central Conference foe Crestline visits Friday night.
The winless Bulldogs are 0-6 (0-3 NWCC) after a 36-0 loss at home to Ridgedale last Friday. Crestline has scored just 16 points in its six games so far, and they allow 49.3 points a game.
Meanwhile, the Tigers (6-0, 3-0 NWCC) blanked Ridgemont 40-0 last Friday to stay in a tie for first place in the league with Hardin Northern.
“Crestline is under a new staff this year,” seventh-year W-G head coach Shane Wireman said. “They are learning a new scheme, and have lots of young athletes playing.
“On film, they look like they are looking to run the triple-option offense,” he noted.
“Crestline bases out of a 4-4 cover three defense,” he continued. “They stack the box pretty tight to slow the run game down and kind of dare you to throw the ball.”
Ridgemont and USV are tied for third in the NWCC at 2-1, a game behind the conference co-leaders. The Tigers have already beaten both of those teams decisively.
W-G will host Hardin Northern in the final regular season game on October 21, a contest that could have league title implications.
HN (4-2, 3-0 NWCC) hosts USV (4-2, 2-1 NWCC) this Friday in a key league game.
Waynesfield has outscored its opposition 226-33 this season.
The Tigers score 37.7 points per game and permit just 5.5 ppg through six games.
W-G is first in the Div. VII, Region 26 rankings and the Tigers are one of just three unbeatens left in the 30-team region. The two other undefeated teams, Antwerp (6-0) and Arlington (6-0) are ranked fourth and sixth in the region, respectively.
Meanwhile, Crestline is tied for last (25th) with several other teams in the Div. VII, Region 25 rankings.
“Obviously the rankings are creating some excitement over our way, especially with the kids and the community,” Wireman said. “As coaches, we are doing our best to keep everyone focused on the task at hand, and we are trying our best to keep taking each week one game at a time.”
Waynesfield is 3-0 at home, while Crestline is 0-3 on the road.
W-G beat the Bulldogs 52-0 last year, and the Tigers won 28-7 in 2020.
“Thankfully, we are still healthy at this point,” Wireman noted.
Kickoff for the home league game is Friday at 7 p.m.