Preview: NCH at CHCA

The FOX19 Friday Prep Rally makes its way to Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy as the Eagles welcome the North College Hill Trojans for a Miami Valley Conference showdown.

Few teams in the Tri-state area have played as well over the past couple of seasons as North College Hill. The Trojans have had in the upper hand thus in the series and will be favored entering this contest.

CHCA graduated back-to-back great senior classes, but the Class of 2011 is ready to make their own mark in the school's short, but prestigious history.

Let's take a closer look at this week's featured mathcup:

NORTH COLLEGE HILL (4-0) AT CHCA (3-1)

Richard E. & Robert D. Linder Field

7:00 p.m. kickoff

TV: LIVE Pregame Show FOX19 (6:30 - 7:00)

RADIO: Listen Live on TriStateFootball.com

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Three-year starter Dakota Dartis of North College Hill is one of the area's most prolific playmakers at quarterback. After tallying over 2,500 total yards of offense as a junior, Dartis has already passed for 1,035 yards through four games in his senior campaign. All-Miami Valley performer Jamie Stagnaro is back after coming up with seven interceptions as a junior. His twin brother, Jeff Stagnaro, joins him on both sides of the ball as a receiver and a defensive back.

TEAM TRENDS: North College Hill finished the 2009 regular season with a perfect 10-0 record. They broke the 50-point mark twice a year ago and have already hit that plateau three times this season. The Trojans have won 14 of their last 15 games, including a 15-14 win over the Eagles in '09. NCH has won three of the last four games in the series. CHCA picked up its 100th win in the short 13-year history of the program earlier this season. The Eagles have won six conference titles since 2002, finishing as state runner-ups in 2005.

NORTH COLLEGE HILL'S KEYS TO VICTORY: The Trojans' offense boasts plenty of firepower, but the recent success can be attributed to the work done up front on the offensive line. The unit has given quarterback Dakota Dartis plenty of time to throw and that has resulted in some big numbers for wide receivers Jelan Render, Vincent Edwards, and Greg Sevilla. If NCH can get their offense rolling and limit their mistakes, they will be able to put pressure on a young CHCA team by putting points on the board. The Eagles simply don't have the weapons to keep up in a shootout.

CHCA'S KEYS TO VICTORY: Senior Nick Lawley is performing well in his new role as quarterback. Through four games he has thrown for 924 yards and eight touchdowns while adding 94 more yards and three additional scores on the ground. Where CHCA lacks in experience, they make up for it in size and speed. However, for much of the roster this match-up is the biggest game of their short varsity careers. To come out victorious the Eagles will need to play error-free, smart football and force NCH into mistakes. Establishing running back Didi Charles and moving the chains will be in critical for CHCA in keeping the explosive Trojans' offense on the sidelines.

FINAL TAKE: CHCA will no doubt provide North College Hill one of their stiffest tests of the season. However, don't expect it to be enough. NCH is far too talented and experienced to be sidetracked now. Expect the Eagles to hang around early, but fade in the end.