In a pair of wins over the Bulldogs the last two seasons, the Eagles have allowed just 12 points and 92 rushing yards.
Other regular-season opponents haven’t fared much better. The Eagles have won 16 straight in the regular season, allowing just more than a touchdown per game in that stretch.
Salado shoots for a third straight win over McGregor at 7:30 tonight in its homecoming game at Eagle Stadium.
In the Eagles’ 29-7 win last year, McGregor had minus-1 yard of offense in the first quarter and just 39 yards by halftime before finishing with 170.
Almost all of that defense is back, including three-year starting linebacker Patrick Prince and cornerback Tyler Wright.
The Eagles have allowed only two touchdowns - both in last week’s 42-14 win over Franklin - and given up an average of 168 yards per game.
It might take another effort like that to keep Salado’s regular-season streak intact.
Though young, the Bulldogs (1-1) have Salado coach Jeff Cheatham’s attention.
“They can take one play on offense and take it the distance,” Cheatham said.
McGregor’s strength is its defense, which returns 10 starters. The offense, however, has plenty of playmakers.
Senior Larry Smith, who played wide receiver the last two seasons, has moved to quarterback. He’s joined in the backfield by running backs Julian Young and Deshun Pierson.
The Bulldogs threw the ball 40 times in last season’s loss, though that was likely because McGregor trailed by at least two touchdowns most of the game.
If the Bulldogs want to air it out again tonight, they’ll face a secondary that has given up only 27 passing yards in two games.
Opposites Bruceville-Eddy, Rogers set to battle
ROGERS - When it comes to offensive philosophies, Bruceville-Eddy and Rogers are polar opposites.
Rogers keeps players closely bunched at the line of scrimmage in its Slot-T, while Bruceville-Eddy wants to use the width of the field in the spread.
Bruceville-Eddy travels to Rogers’ Merk Field today for a 7:30 p.m. meeting between 1-1 teams.
Rogers has had mixed results in its first season in coach Jeff Walker’s scheme. After a come-from-behind win against Franklin, the Eagles struggled last week against Coleman.
Halfbacks Jordan Sebek and Kason Lowrance are Rogers’ two primary ball carriers. Sebek averages 9.4 yards per carry and has scored three touchdowns. Lowrance averages 5.7 per carry and has a pair of touchdowns.
Bruceville-Eddy knows exactly what Rogers wants to do. The hard part is stopping it.
“We’ve got to stay on our reads and our gap assignments,” Bruceville-Eddy coach Brent Watkins said.
Bruceville-Eddy also runs the ball quite a bit - nearly double the amount of times it has thrown it. But Watkins’ Eagles have no problem taking to the air.
First-year quarterback Shel-don Walker has completed nearly 50 percent of his passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns.
Running back Logan Pratt is the team’s leading rusher with 94 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.
After giving up nearly 750 yards in its first two games against run-heavy offenses, Rogers gets its first shot against the spread.
Rogers coach Jeff Walker said this might be a more favorable matchup for his defense and is eager to see how his team fares.
rschneider@temple-telegram.com
