By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
Despite losing three games due to covid-19 and falling to 0-5 on the season the Abilene Cowboys will have a chance at redemption when they travel to McPherson for a battle with the #4 ranked 7-1 Bulldogs.
McPherson has been firing on all cylinders this year, outscoring their opponents 310-112 in 2020.
Their lone loss came by just six against a 7-1 5A school in De Soto, and they haven’t looked back since.
The Bulldog offense is led by a dynamic duo of senior quarterback Dylan Rinker and sophomore running back JT Gumm.
Rinker has thrown for just under 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns to just five interceptions this season while Gumm has carried the ball 131 times for 966 yards and ten touchdowns.
McPherson’s defense has done a great job of forcing turnovers as well with eight picks and eight fumble recoveries.
Abilene, by contrast, has scored in just one of their games this season, putting up 12 points on Wamego in a 50 point defeat on the road.
If the Cowboys want to have any chance to unseat one of the best teams in 4A this year, they will need to find a gear they haven’t been able to locate all season.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm on Friday night and the winner will have a much easier time next week facing either 3-5 Ulysses or 3-5 Augusta.