By DOUG DONNELLY

OTTAWA LAKE – Whiteford’s No. 1 goal Friday is to keep history from repeating itself.

The Bobcats (3-0) will take on Edon, Ohio (3-1) Friday, the second straight week Whiteford is taking on an Ohio small-school powerhouse. In 2021, the Bobcats took an undefeated record to Edon and lost 52-32. Whiteford will try and get the advantage this week with a stiff defense and rushing attack.

“We need to establish our running and ball control offense and keep their offense off the field,” Whiteford coach Todd Thieken said in assessing the matchup.

The Bobcats bring a 17-game overall win streak into the game. Their last regular season loss was to Edon, a string of 17 games as well.

Whiteford is off to a 3-0 start this season, thanks to three come-from-behind wins. Against Blissfield the Bobcats trailed in the final minute, but Ryin Ruddy scored on a 74-yard touchdown run to put Whiteford in the lead. Against Ida the Bobcats were down 7-6 at halftime before rallying to a 22-7 win.

And, last week, the Bobcats scored three fourth quarter touchdowns to beat Ottawa Hills, who led 14-6 in the fourth quarter.

Whiteford is ranked No. 1 in Division 8 in every statewide ranking poll and computer ranking, from the Associated Press to Calpreps.com to the Michigan High School Coaches Association.

Edon counters with a high-powered offense that is averaging more than 38 points a game through four weeks of the season. Quarterback Kyler Sapp, a junior, has attempted 178 passes in four starts, about 44 a game. He has completed 64 percent of his passes for 1,404 yards and 12 touchdowns.

He’s completed passes to nine different Bomber receivers, including Max Radabaugh, who has 27 catches for and four touchdowns, and Kendol Brigle, who has 21 receptions for four scores. Christian Owens has grabbed 23 passes and Cohen Hulbert 19.

The Bombers have run the ball only 61 times this season with Sapp leading the team with 167 yards on 28 carries.

Thieken said the Edon offense does a great job.

“Their QB is very impressive,” Thieken said. “He executes all phases of that offense so effectively. I don’t see any weaknesses in that entire offensive unit. Their offensive line is big and does a great job in pass protection. They have weapons at all five spots in their receiving group, and the QB does such a good job getting the ball to them.”

Last week against Sand Creek – Whiteford’s next opponent – Sapp threw for 495 yards and six touchdowns.

“It will take everything we have to defend all the stuff that they do,” Thieken said.

The Bobcats counter with a rushing attack led by three backfield mates – Jake Iott, Hunter DeBarr and Drew Knaggs. The three 4,912 yards over the last four seasons.

Edon head coach Bob Elwin praised the Bobcats team.

“Whiteford is a veteran group that is very physical and executes offensively very well,” he said. “Whiteford is very aggressive on defense. They have solid special teams and excellent return threats. Our room for error is very thin against them.”

Whiteford’s last home loss was the final game of the 2020 season, a string of 16 straight home field wins.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Whiteford.

Here are some pre-game notes: