Another focus this week has been on Mater Dei quarterback, Trenton Zeeb. The senior has accounted for 87 percent of his team’s offense through two games. Zeeb has been over 100 yards rushing in both contests, racking up 230 yards on 32 carries. He has also completed 13-of-34 passes for 162 yards. The Knights have gained 452 yards so far and Zeeb has accounted for 392 of those.

“He’s the No. 1 person we have to defend,” Hefner said. “They will give you an option look, but he ends up carrying the ball often. We have to control the quarterback.”

Senior Brock Reverman is Mater Dei’s second leading rusher with 45 yards on 11 carries. He also has four receptions for 24 more yards. Senior wide receiver Nick Lampe has three catches for 40 yards and a touchdown and junior end Elliott Rakers has two receptions for 61 yards.

Defensively, the Knights “are going to stack the line of scrimmage,” Hefner said. “They will try to make it as difficult to run the football as they can. They are always good along the defensive line. We’re going to need to block well and make plays throwing the football.”

Mater Dei will face an EHS offense that has been pretty balanced through its first two games. The Hearts have run for 372 yards and chalked up another 254 yards through the air.

Junior Weldon Dunston has been the workhorse, carrying the ball 49 times for 269 yards and three TDs. Quarterback Gaige Gillum has completed 17-of-39 pass attempts for 254 yards and three scores. His two favorite receivers so far have been tight end Hunter Reed and receiver Andrew Lotz. Hunter has hauled in seven catches for 70 yards, while Lotz has six catches for 139 yards and two TDs.

Friday night’s game is an important one.

“It’s a big game for a number of reasons,” Hefner said. “It’s Military Appreciation Night and we always take pride in how we play in that game. We’re also getting ready to hop into conference play. The Apollo is going to be a tough league this year and we need to be playing good football.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Washington Savings Bank Stadium.