Just looking at the stats, one could see how Porters Chapel could be sucked into taking Russell Christian lightly.

Last year, the Eagles dominated Russell Christian in a 63-0 laugher. But the Eagles (3-3, 0-1 in District 5-A) won’t be taking the Warriors lightly, especially on homecoming, tonight.

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PCA hosts

Russell Christian

“That’s last year,” PCA coach John Weaver said. “As far as I’m concerned, they’re as good as University Christian, as good as Prentiss Christian. Only a fool underestimates his opponent, that’s what I told our guys. That almost got us in trouble against Prentiss.”

A loss, no matter how improbable, would be the death knell to PCA’s postseason aspirations.

Russell (2-4, 0-1) isn’t exactly punchless. Quarterback Zac Harper completed 15 for 34 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 61 yards and another score in a 20-14 win over Ben’s Ford. This season, he has completed 22 of 48 passes for 758 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions as the team’s primary offensive threat.

“They’re a totally different team,” Weaver said. “They’ve got some good skill people. This is a must-win situation for us.”

But the Warriors have struggled against quality opposition, losing 62-29 to district foe Newton County Academy, 47-7 to Heidelberg and 48-6 to Greenville Christian.

The Eagles will be boosted by the return of Montana McDaniel to the lineup, both at running back on offense and more importantly, at middle linebacker on defense after sustaining a separated shoulder against Trinity. McDaniel’s absence was keenly felt as Prentiss Christian’s rushing attack shredded a young PCA defense last week in the second half.

Despite McDaniel’s injury, Weaver didn’t make excuses for the poor showing for the third straight week against the run.

“We’ve got to learn how to tackle better,” Weaver said. “We’ve got to take better pursuit angles.”

Offensively, the Eagles will be looking for another big game out of an offense that is starting to gel into a high-scoring, big-play unit thanks to the play of a much-improved offensive line. Chris Marshall caught 10 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns, Jake Boyd had an 80-yard run, Jonah Masterson showed his mobility with a pair of designed quarterback runs for big yardage and, to top it off, McDaniel’s return gives the Eagles another playmaker.