Last weekend, the Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood football team won a convincing 44-7 matchup against Ray/Powers Lake, but it didn’t come out of the contest unscathed.

“We got a little banged up by Ray/Powers Lake,” said Mavericks head coach Cale Peterson. Even though they won by 37 points, Peterson said the Ray/Powers Lake team was very physical, and they Mavericks will face a similar challenge today against Divide County.

“Divide County is well-coached and pretty physical,” Peterson said. “They’ve been pretty young the past couple of years but now they’re more experienced and the offensive and defensive lines are better.”

Peterson predicted this game will be a pretty even matchup.

Looking back, the Mavericks faced Tioga on Sept. 22, winning 54-12. Last weekend, Divide County faced Tioga, winning 52-20. The points allowed by Divide County and the Mavericks from Tioga is only a difference of a touchdown, which could imply from a statistical standpoint that the defenses are pretty evenly matched.

Peterson said some defensive players have really stepped up and impressed him this year for the Mavericks. Those players include defensive linemen Garrett Schmidt, Michael Knutson and Erik Mcintyre.

Schmidt is a sophomore this year with a sack under his belt. He’s also had 11 solo tackles and five assisted tackles for a grand total of 16.

Knutson, a junior, has had two sacks so far, 12 solo tackles and two assisted tackles.

Senior lineman Mcintyre leads the team with three sacks for the season as well as six solo tackles and one assisted. Peterson said these guys, as well as the complete defensive line, have really stepped up this year playing hard and physical.

The Mavericks’ defense has held their opponents to an average of 13 points per game.

Their offense, however, is where the Mavericks really stand out in their nine-man division.

“This year, we are a fairly balanced team, which is pretty rare in small-town, high school football,” Peterson said. “In previous years we could only run the ball, but this year we are able to throw the ball too making it difficult to stop us.”

Much of their new-found throwing success is thanks to sophomore Nathaniel Beha. Beha has thrown for 782 yards and 14 touchdowns. Beha wouldn’t be able to throw if it weren’t for receivers ready and able to get open.

“Isaac Undlin is the go-to guy,” said Peterson. “He’s 6-foot-5, very athletic and seems to be open all the time.” Peterson said Undlin really makes his opponents worry and is a great weapon for the team.

Undlin is a junior for the Mavericks having caught 30 passes for 585 yards. Behind him is senior Beau Driscoll with 14 receptions for 232 yards. Together, the pair have scored 15 touchdowns.

Along with receptions, the Mavericks are successful running the ball as well.

“Cole Southam has had to sit and wait his turn for his senior year,” Peterson said. “Last year he fractured his thumb and barely played offense, so he was ready and willing to go for this year.”

Senior running back Southam has rushed 701 yards on 88 carries. He averages about 8 yards per carry.

Peterson said Chase Driscoll was another running back that really showed up and surprised him this year. Although he’s only rushed for 277 yards, he averages about 9 yards per carry for the Mavericks.

Peterson says tonight’s game should be a good one and the team is really excited to play.

“If we win this game, we’d win three region championships in a row, which is quite an accomplishment,” Peterson said.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. tonight at Divide County High School.