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Game of the Week: Hillsborough (5-1) At Plant (4-1)

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TBO.com

Published: October 15, 2008

AT STAKE

HILLSBOROUGH: Defensive reputation. Hillsborough is known for its strength on defense. This season, however, the Terriers have allowed some of the county's top quarterbacks to put up big numbers. Jefferson's Quentin Williams passed for 247 yards and one score, and in the Terriers' only loss of the season, Chamberlain's Dontae Aycock finished with 147 rushing yards and four touchdowns, and one passing TD. Aaron Murray leads the area with 1,513 yards and 25 touchdowns.

PLANT: Home record. Dad's Stadium has become one of the toughest places for opponents to play. The Panthers have one loss on their home field in the last three seasons, giving them an 18-1 record on their own turf.

KEY STAT

HILLSBOROUGH: Nine players on Hillsborough's defense are averaging five tackles or better per game. Linebacker Jerod Brisbon and defensive end Arthur Johnson lead the team with 46 tackles apiece.

PLANT: Aaron Murray is averaging 302.6 passing yards per game with a 129 passing rating. He's also averaging 8.0 yards per carry and has 161 rushing yards off 20 carries for the season.

KEY MATCHUPS

WHEN HILLSBOROUGH HAS THE BALL: Lindsey Lamar vs. Plant's defense. Lamar is coming off a career-high performance in which he recorded 274 yards with five touchdown against Freedom. Without a doubt the toughest running back Plant has faced this season, Lamar had 72 yards and one touchdown in his team's 35-16 loss to Plant last year.

WHEN PLANT HAS THE BALL: Plant's receivers vs. Hillsborough's secondary. Plant's Allen Sampson and Orson Charles are two of the top receivers in the county. Sampson leads all county receivers with 484 yards and six touchdowns while Charles is not far behind with 439 yards and seven touchdowns. Nate Singletary and Terrence Mitchell lead Hillsborough with two interceptions each.

QUOTABLES

"People don't look at us defensively. We've kind of flown under the radar. Hopefully we can keep that up." - Plant senior defensive lineman Austin Clark

"I think I was wrong when I said Robert Weiner didn't invent the forward pass. I think he did. They're fun to watch, man. The Robert Marve era was once in a lifetime, we said, and now you back it up with Aaron Murray who's every bit as good as Robert was." - Hillsborough High coach Earl Garcia

"I got a little bit of Murray last year, but this year I want a lot. I'm coming for him this year. I'm a junior and I think I'm ready for it now." - Hillsborough defensive end Arthur Johnson

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