The Aplington-Parkersburg football team will look to sustain the momentum of last week’s win when it welcomes Central Springs to Ed Thomas Field for Friday’s Homecoming game.
After a slow start, the Falcons (1-4, 1-1 1A-3) found offensive success in last week’s 42-26 win over Denver. Freshman running backs Mason Pruisner and Devan Eberhart were key factors, with Pruisner recording four touchdowns and Eberhart running for one. Head Coach Aaron Thomas says those two earned their spots on varsity, a rare accomplishment for freshmen.
“They just have proven it and earned it throughout the course of the year,” Thomas says. “Neither one was our starter on day one. Mason with Adrian Huisman getting hurt early, kind of forced into that action for us to play halfback and then Devan, we brought down, we just did some kind of live scrimmaging the week before MFL MarMac and Devan looked really good. He kind of just hit some holes and saw things a little bit, so we knew we had to get him some carries. I think Devan had 16 carries and Creyton Eberhart 13, so we’re just splitting those fullback carries a little bit and then Creyton playing some wingback. We ask a lot of our wingbacks to be physical too. Those two guys had very good nights without a doubt, but it all started with the guys up front creating some holes.”
Central Springs (3-2, 0-2 1A-3) has stumbled to a winless start in district play, with losses to #3 (1A) Dike-New Hartford and Denver. It’s a run-heavy team with a variety of options at running back, but leading rusher Avery Gregoire didn’t appear in last week’s game.
“It’s like looking in a mirror. Both teams are going to be wing-t, quicker huddle. For them, I know last week, the Gregoire kid who’s a really good running back did not play against Dike-New Hartford. I’m not certain, I think he got injured at the end of the Denver game, but he’s a difference maker, does a really good job. And their fullback, the Edwards kid, he’s a tough, hard-nosed player as well. He plays fullback and middle linebacker. They’ve got a sophomore quarterback who’s getting better and better every week. They’re going to be here hungry, but I think for us, you know, our guys building off last week, you could see the effort earlier this week in practice and they’ve been good, just a little more upbeat, a little more life to us. So I know they’re excited to get back out at home, homecoming here on Friday.”
AP has typically found success against Central Springs, having never lost in the series.
The kickoff will be at 7:00 p.m.
Aaron Thomas interview:
