Game Preview: Short-Handed Lafayette Hosts Improved Mehlville

What a difference a year makes. Last season, the Lafayette Lancers were officially floundering after their first two games, losing both of them by a combined score of 76-10.

In week three of the 2010 season, the Mehlville Panthers became the reprieve, as the Lancers took out their frustration with a dominating 35-7 win. But in 2011, the table for week three has been set a bit differently as Lafayette hosts a vastly-improved Mehlville team at 7 p.m. on Friday.

The (2-0) have came out swinging offensively in their first two weeks, overpowering Suburban West foes and Lindbergh high school teams.

Most of the Lancers’ offense has came through the arm of quarterback Dominic Bisesi, who totaled 462 passing yards and four touchdowns in those two games. But Lafayette’s passing prowess will be put to the test after Bisesi non-throwing arm was broken last week at Lindbergh.

Friday’s game will feature a strong Mehlville ground game seeking some revenge. Panthers tailback Chayse Brown split carries last season, amassing 483 yards on 91 carries. But the junior already has totaled 346 yards in two games this season.

Brown is averaging 9.6 yards per rush, and has been spelled at the goal line to feature Dwayne Lewis, who punched in two touchdowns in the season opener. Featured more as a linebacker, Lewis also leads the team with 12 solo tackles and an interception returned for a score.

For Lafayette, junior quarterback Matthew Goro will step in for the injured Bisesi, as he did to lead the Lancers to a game-winning field goal in overtime last weekend in a .

Goro will find aid through an impressing receiving corps, including William DuPont (10 receptions, 168 yards, two TDs) and Brock Behrndt (8 receptions, 154 yards) to stretch the field, and Tyler Manne and John Voit, who have 11 combined receptions as primarily possession threats.