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Game Preview: Princeton (3–1) at Midway (3–1)

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Game Preview: Princeton (3–1) at Midway (3–1)

Kickoff: Thursday, Sept. 19 • Location: Midway High School

Team Overview

Midway Raiders

  • Offense: Balanced attack (171.8 passing yds/g, 219.3 rushing yds/g, 391.0 total yds/g).
  • Defense: 221 tackles, 24 TFL, 2 interceptions.

Princeton Bulldogs

  • Offense: Single wing, run-heavy (350.5 rushing yds/g, 43.5 passing yds/g, 394.0 total yds/g).
  • Defense: 127 tackles, 3 interceptions, dangerous return game.

Players to Watch

Midway Raiders

  • QB Tanner Williams (Jr.) – 36-63 passing (57.1%), 687 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT; also adds 3 rushing TD.
  • RB Wesley Tew (So.) – Efficient runner with 599 yards (149.8/g) on 76 carries (7.9 ypc), 5 TD.
  • ATH Gehemiah Blue (Sr.) – 199 rush yards, 6 TD; also 19 tackles and 2 INTs on defense.
  • WR Samuel Dudley (Sr.) – True deep threat: 8 catches, 284 yards (35.5 ypc), 3 TD.
  • WR Jacob Holland (Sr.) – Physical target: 10 catches, 203 yards, 2 TD.
  • LB Wyatt Scott (Sr.) – Defensive anchor: 42 tackles, 9 TFL.
  • LB Brayden Stowers (So.) – Emerging playmaker with 22 tackles and 2 TFL.

Princeton Bulldogs

  • RB/QB Teo McPhatter (So.) – Heart of the single wing: 898 rush yards (224.5/g), 14 TD, plus 13-18 passing for 174 yards and 3 TD. On defense: 16 tackles, 3 INTs, 1 fumble recovery.
  • RB Austin Lewallen (Sr.) – Power back with 310 rush yards and 3 TD; also 16 tackles and 1 TFL defensively.
  • RB Gerell Bogle (So.) – 156 rush yards, 1 TD; provides depth in the backfield and plays DB.
  • WR Taylor Parrish (Jr.) – 48-yard TD catch, steady presence at DB (14 tackles).
  • WR Devyne Maxwell (Jr.) – Contributes offensively (6 rec, 25 yards) and defensively (9 tackles).
  • LB Chandler Jackson (Jr.) – Leads defense with 21 tackles, 1 TFL.

Series History

Midway leads the all-time series 11–3 against Princeton. The Raiders dominated much of the 2000s and 2010s, but Princeton has taken the last two matchups, putting Midway on a two-game losing streak entering Thursday night.

X-Factors

  • Midway: If Williams hits early deep shots (20+ yds), Princeton will struggle to play catch-up through the air.
  • Princeton: McPhatter’s two-way role — if he controls tempo and makes defensive plays, he can tilt the game solo.

Key Matchups

  1. McPhatter’s Ground Game vs. Midway’s Front Seven
    • McPhatter accounts for 268 total yds/game and 17 TDs. Midway must win first down to prevent Princeton from controlling tempo.
  2. Tew and Williams vs. Princeton’s Linebackers
    • Tew’s 7.9 ypc demands gang tackling. Williams’ efficiency at QB forces defenses to stay honest.
  3. Receivers on the Edge
    • Dudley (35.5 ypc, 3 TD) and Holland (203 yards, 2 TD) stretch defenses vertically. Princeton will rely more on Parrish and Lewallen to make selective big plays.
  4. Turnovers & Special Teams
    • McPhatter already has 3 INTs defensively and a 92-yard fumble return. Princeton’s return game (236 KR yards, 1 TD) can flip momentum in seconds.

Prediction

Both teams enter 3–1 with contrasting styles: Midway is balanced with explosive receivers, while Princeton is ground-and-pound behind McPhatter.

  • If Princeton controls the clock and limits Dudley/Holland deep plays, the Bulldogs have the edge.
  • If Midway forces a shootout and cashes in vertical shots, the Raiders can flip the script.

Final Score Prediction:
Princeton 34, Midway 30 – Bulldogs’ run game proves just enough to hold off Midway in a one-possession finish.