Bell Game Preview

Throwdown in Akron for the Bell

By Flyover Sports Staff Writer

One of the biggest games this week in North Central Indiana is a small school matchup between the Rochester Zebras and the Tippecanoe Valley Vikings. Both teams enter the Bell Game carrying a 4-0 record, and they both look to take a huge step towards securing the Three Rivers Conference Championship.

For the Zebras, it all starts with number 30, Alex Deming. The junior runner opened the season with two gaudy statlines, going for 194 yards and 3 total touchdowns on 34 carries in a season opening victory against Southwood, and he amassed 226 yards and 5 total touchdowns on 35 carries against Knox in an absolute barn burner.

Deming was afforded time off in a 70-0 victory over Whitko, in which twelve Zebras toted the rock, but they were paced by freshman Brant Beck with a 70 yard performance on only 4 carries. In their most recent victory against Wabash, Deming was again the bellcow, going for 124 yards on only 11 carries. Senior scat-back Payton Luhnow added 86 yards and a touchdown on 8 carries, and senior Gavin McKee contributed 101 yards and 2 touchdowns of his own. The Zebras have many weapons, and when teams have keyed in on Deming, Luhnow and McKee have been there to carry the load.

Rochester has an imposing offensive line, and a smart signal caller in Aaron Swango. Swango doesn't throw the ball around a bunch, he is just 5 for 10 on the year, but when he does it goes for big plays and he does not make many mistakes through the air. Swango has thrown for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns to 0 interceptions on the season.

It is a similar story for the Tippecanoe Valley Vikings, as they also have many weapons on the ground.

For Tippecanoe Valley it starts with number 4, Nate Parker. Parker, a quarterback, tailback, and all around football player, has put together quite the start for this season.

The do it all junior had 101 yards on the ground and 2 touchdowns in an opening season win against Wawasee, followed that with 4 touchdowns against Northfield, tacked on another end zone trip against Peru, and last week he put up 86 yards and 3 touchdowns against Manchester.

The Vikings also have two massive options in the backfield to plug away at defenses. Junior wingback/wideout Wade Jones is an absolute Goliath at 6'5", with speed to match. He is bolstered by an absolutely massive fullback in number 40, Dalton Abner. Sophomore Brandon Styles has also toted the rock on occasion this year.

When Nate Parker is lined up as a tailback for the Vikings, quarterback Cody Eastgate is more than capable as a signal caller. The junior has thrown for over 100 yards in every game except the season opener against Wawasee. His QBR of 138.6 is absolutely ridiculous, and he has thrown 4 touchdowns to only 1 interception.

Both teams look fairly similar on offense, with 10 or 11 men all near the ball, looking to play three yards and a cloud of dust football.

Rochester runs Deming up the middle until someone stops it, but the Vikings are a bit more nuanced. Tippy Valley likes to load up and open up a blocker by calling designed runs for Parker in the pistol and shotgun. They also run a lot of wingback toss to Jones, and include a healthy amount of dive and power for the cannonball Alber.

At the end of the game between these prolific rushing squads, it may come down to who has the ball last. It will be interesting to see if the respective defenses can contain Deming and Parker. It all goes down this Friday at Death Valley.

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