The stage is set for the Perry Meridian Falcons to play the Plainfield Quakers tonight at Falcon Stadium. Both teams currently hold an 0-1 conference record with Plainfield sitting at 0-3 and Perry Meridian at 1-2. 

By the numbers, the Quakers average more points per game and also allow fewer points against even after the 0-3 start.

This is a must-win game for both teams if they want to move up in the conference race. It will be a tough game for the Falcons as some notable players are out due to injuries from last week’s game against Franklin Community. These include star receiver Landon Eagan and ironman Jacob McClure. 

A Falcon win tonight would mean some new faces stepped up. “Isaac Williams will step in on defense,” Falcons Head Coach Brett Cooper said, “and we will start sophomore Ethan Neffle [at receiver].”

There will not be a featured back for the Falcons this game as Andy Warren, John Hunter and freshman Tristan Ling will share the load in the backfield.

“We expect a big game out of them,” Cooper said. 

On the other side of the stadium, Plainfield Coach Brian Woodard is looking to add a fifth win to the current streak against the Falcons in his final year as coach. “We need a dang win, bottom line,” Woodard said via email this week.

Going into the game, Woodard is expecting more accountability from the team on the field compared to previous games and focused on this throughout practice. 

“Our players have to accept more responsibility for their play and it has to happen during practice,” Coach Woodard said. “[If we] feel our way through the week we shouldn’t expect much different on Friday.”

The Mid-State Conference game will kick-off tonight at 7 p.m. at Falcon Stadium.