Highflying Pony football takes on CDH for No.1 in conference

Photo+Courtesy+Ben+Anderson

Photo Courtesy Ben Anderson

Gabe Wagner, Distribution Reporter

Something has to give as the 2-0 ponies renew their rivalry with the equally perfect 2-0 CDH Raiders who come to Pony Stadium Friday night under the lights.

With both teams off to perfect starts, the rolling Ponies look to keep it going on friday night against a fierce and unpopular rival to try to take sole possession of first place in the Suburban East conference.

With both teams starting the season 2-0, the Ponies share the top spot in the conference with the Raiders but could take sole possession of first with a win Friday night at Pony Stadium.

“We’re playing for first in the conference so it’s a big week for us,” senior quarterback Grayson Hosch said.

With both teams being in the Suburban East Conference, CDH has become a fierce rival and an often highlighted game on the calendar for the players.

“It’s two powerhouses going against eachother, both undefeated, only one winner,” senior guard Nels Woods said.

With the Ponies coming off convincing wins in back to back weeks to start the season 2-0, the high flying Ponies know they have to stay motivated and  focused.

We can’t get too cocky we always have to get better after each practice, we can celebrate the W for a day or two but then we have to move on.

— Grayson Hosch

“We can’t get too cocky we always have to get better after each practice, we can celebrate the W for a day or two but then we have to move on,” Hosch said.

The Ponies fell to the Raiders 21-31 last year and have not faired well in the past, being just 1-4 against them in the past 5 years, but have a right to believe this year is going to be different.

“We get to play at home and since we’re both undefeated we can determine who the real winner is,” Offensive lineman Woods said.

The Ponies know a thing or two about good starts starting their season 2-0, 5 out of the past 6 years and only being able to reach 3-0 just twice in that timespan.

“3-0 would be great, especially after beating a tough team like Cretin. It would be a huge moral boast for the team and the fans,” junior middle linebacker Andrew Wiesbrod said.

We all know defense wins championships and the Ponies are an early contender, generating 6 turnovers in just 2 games making the team +5 on the season.

“It creates more opportunities for us to score more touchdowns. When our defense makes big plays it pushes our offense to pick up the pace and make big plays of their own,” Weisbrod said.

The Ponies know they have a tough test ahead with the Raiders offense scoring 41 points and a defense that’s only allow 26 points in their first 2 games of the season, but the Ponies know what it takes.

“It means being smart and quick, they have some speed on offense but if everyone does their jobs we should see some good things happen,” Wiesbrod said.

So when Friday night comes and the lights turn on, there will be no love lost between these two powerhouse as we can imagine each team will be playing with a little more edge.