By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
The Abilene Cowboys will face the biggest test of their season to date on Friday night when they return home to host the fourth-ranked Rock Creek Mustangs.
Rock Creek has flown out of the gates to a 3-0 start, bookending an impressive 21-13 victory over 4A Wamego with 50+ point shutouts of Bishop Ward and Bonner Springs.
Abilene has developed a propensity for playing in close games, holding off Chapman 16-12 and coming back to defeat Concordia 27-23 en route to a 2-1 start.
The two sides have met just three times since the turn of the century, with the Mustangs leading the series 2-1 in that span, including a dominant 42-6 win in St. George last year.
For the Cowboys, having success tonight will hinge on two things: their ability to run the football and the quarterback play of dual-threat QB Taygen Funston.
Those feats will be easier said than done; the Mustang defense is allowing just three rushing yards a game through three weeks, and has allowed just one rushing touchdown in their last 11 regular-season games.
Rock Creek is led by a bruising rush attack of their own, with tailback Zion Bell averaging nearly seven yards per carry.
This game will be broadcast as part of our Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Game of the Week series and is presented by Abilene Termite and Pest Control.
You can watch the full broadcast of this game below, pregame coverage will begin at 6:40.