Eldorado faces 2015 playoff rematch when the Eagles host Athens Saturday

Eldorado will play host to Athens in the first round of the IHSA Class 2A Playoffs Saturday, starting at 2 p.m. This is the second meeting between the two schools in the last three years as the Eagles and Warriors squared off at Boz Adams Field in 2015.
SPYDER DANN | mdann@dailyregister.com

updated: 10/26/2018 11:17 AM

For the sixth straight year, Eldorado finds themselves in the postseason.
And for the fourth straight year, the Eagles will have the opportunity to play in front of the home crowd and somewhat of a familiar opponent.
A 2015 rematch against No. 9 seed Athens (7-2) awaits No. 8 seed Eldorado (7-2) Saturday at 2 p.m. at Boz Adams Field.
The Warriors staged a second-half comeback to beat Eldorado that year 21-14.
Clark and company are hoping for a different result this past year.
The first round of the playoffs has been kind to the Eagles the past two years as Eldorado has notched wins against Red Bud (2017) and Flora (2016). However, Marora-Forsyth has been waiting in the wings the past two years to end Eldorado's season.
A win Saturday against Athens would pit Eldorado against the winner of No. 1 seed Decatur St. Teresa (9-0) against No. 16 seed Staunton (5-4).
Only two roadblocks have stood in the way for Eldorado this past year.
The first, a Week 3 loss at home to Sesser-Valier-Waltonville and a Week 8 loss at Fairfield.
At 7-2, The Eagles have used a bruising rushing attack, racking up 1,988 yards on the ground and have accounted for 27 touchdowns.
Dawson Metten leads the Eagles' ground game with 140 carries for 744 yards and 18 touchdowns this year. Jace Jenkins has 639 yards on 84 carries and seven touchdowns. Clayton Dennis has rushed for 346 yards on 58 carries, while Jacob Etienne has 145 yards on 31 carries. Blakely Watt had the other two touchdowns for Eldorado, adding 55 yards on six carries.
In the passing game, Aiden Whitlock has been solid under center, throwing for 802 yards on 49-of-95 passing with two interceptions and seven touchdowns.
Joe Mayberry has a bulk of those receptions, hauling in 24 catches for 371 yards on four touchdowns, while Jenkins has 208 yards on 15 catches. Jeremy Boulds has the other three touchdowns, catching five passes for 161 yards, while Metten has three catches for 38 yards.
While the Eagles have racked up 2,800 yards of total offense, they have given up 1,893. The opposition this year has rushed for 1,324, while throwing for 569.
Gates at Boz Adams Field will open at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
Spyder Dann covers prep and college sports for the Southern Illinois Local Media News Group. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.