PREVIEW: Marshall Faces Greenville for the Top Spot in District

DISTRICT 16-5A

Greenville Lions (5-1, 2-0)

vs.

Marshall Mavericks (3-4, 3-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Maverick Stadium, Marshall

Coaches

• Greenville: Darren Duke
• Marshall: Claude Mathis

Last week

• Greenville: def. Pine Tree, 35-28
• Marshall: def. Mount Pleasant, 40-0

Next week

• Greenville: vs. Texas High, Oct. 27
• Marshall: at Hallsville, Oct. 27

Playmakers

Greenville

• DB JaKwan Allen, Sr., 6-2, 180 (57 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 sack, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery)
• DB Koltin McNair, Sr., 5-11, 165 (67 tackles, 4 for loss, 2 PBUs)
• QB Caleb Jarvis, Jr., 6-0, 165 (72-of-98, 1,138 yards, 9 TDs, 2 INTs; 83 carries, 285 yards, 9 TDs)
• OL Logan DeGarso, Sr., 6-1, 305
• OL Jose Perez, Sr., 6-1, 272
• RB Christian Dunson, Sr., 5-8, 150 (62 carries, 304 yards, 2 TDs)
• DL Nakia Wilson, Sr., 6-3, 195 (17 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble)
• WR Nick Mapps, Jr., 5-9, 155 (50 carries, 453 yards, 6 TDs; 31 catches, 535 yards, 5 TDs)

Marshall

• OL Chasen Hines, Sr., 6-3, 330 (committed to LSU)
• OL Kameron King, Sr., 6-3, 270 (committed to North Texas)
• DL Marje Smith, Sr., 6-6, 215 (24 tackles, 10 for loss, 3 sacks; committed to Baylor)
• QB JJ Green, So., 6-2, 165 (71-of-151, 1,255 yards, 13 TDs, 4 INTs)
• OL Christian Hood, Jr., 6-4, 300
• WR De'Kendrick Bender, Jr., 6-0, 165 (21 catches, 338 yards, 4 TDs)
• DB Champ Mathis, Jr., 5-11, 180 (33 tackles, 2 for loss, 9 PBUs)
• WR Tahj Washington, Jr., 5-11, 160 (23 catches, 376 yards, 5 TDs)
• DB Tre Macon, Sr., 5-11, 180 (30 tackles, 12 for loss, 3 sacks)
• DB Cotreze Hurd, Sr., 6-1, 175 (46 tackles, 15 for loss, 3 sacks, 2 INTs)

Just the facts

• Marshall is averaging 41.7 points per game during its three-game winning streak.
• JJ Green has thrown for 720 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception during that same time frame.
• Marshall's opponents are 20-23 this season (.465).
• Greenville's opponents are 14-26 this season (.350).
• The Lions are averaging 381.7 yards per game.
• After going 1-9 last season, Greenville is off to a 5-1 start in 2017.
• Marshall is 3-0 against Greenville since 2014.
• The Mavericks won last year's matchup, 42-14.

Key matchup: Marshall passing attack against the Greenville secondary. JJ Green is coming into his own. After an understandably rough start to the season for the sophomore who was thrust into the starting role in the second game, he has played well during Marshall's winning streak. He has an 8:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio in the past three games.

The offensive line will give him plenty of time to work with. Chase Hines, Kameron King and Christian Hood form a formidable group. Hines is committed to LSU, King to North Texas and Hood is 6-4, 300 pounds. DeKendrick Bender and Tahj Washington have combined for more than 700 yards receiving and win touchdowns.

JaKwan Allen and Koltin McNair will look to give Green trouble Friday. The two lead Greenville's secondary with a combined four pass break ups and interception. They will likely need a few more if they hope to slow down this humming passing attack.

If the Lions can get it, they will likely become the favorite to win the district.

Don't be surprised if: Caleb Jarvis leads the charge on offense for Greenville. He has been the Lions' best offensive player so far this year. He has combined for 1,423 yards and 18 touchdowns through the air and on the ground.

Greenville goes as he does. If Jarvis puts up his usual numbers, it will be a competitive game. If he doesn't it could be Marshall's fourth win in as many games.