By Steve Ruman

sports@vindy.com

When asked to compare Youngstown Christian to another opponent on the Brookfield schedule, Warriors coach Randy Clark points to Warren John F. Kennedy.

Make no mistake about it, Clark does so in complimentary fashion. He notes that both teams field explosive offenses capable of scoring in a variety of ways.

“Youngstown Christian is a lot like JFK in that they both have very good team speed,” Clark said. “Both teams are very athletic. They can strike quickly, and you can’t defend just one aspect of their offense.”

The scary part, if you’re a Youngstown Christian fan, is that earlier this year Brookfield beat JFK, 35-0.

On Friday, Youngstown Christian will see if it can have better results when it travels to Brookfield.

The Eagles are 6-1, having rebounded from their only loss of the season — at Sugarcreek Garaway — by defeating Sandy Valley last week, 46-21.

Brookfield is 8-0 and riding a 12-game regular-season winning streak. Its latest victory was a 49-6 trouncing of Conneaut.

In addition to Brookfield’s quest for the school’s first undefeated season in 34 years, Friday’s game has major playoff implications for both teams. Brookfield currently is ranked first in Division IV, Region 13. It has all but locked up a spot in the postseason, and is looking to secure a first-round home game.

Youngstown Christian, currently sixth in Division VI, Region 21, can likely secure both a playoff spot and a home game with a win over Brookfield.

“These types of games are what high school football is all about,” Clark said. “We’re having a very good season, and so is Youngstown Christian. A lot of area fans will be focused in to see how this plays out, and that makes it fun for the players on both teams.

“We’ll come to play. We know we have to, otherwise Youngstown Christian has the athletes to jump on us quickly.”

Brookfield has been on a season-long roll. With the exception of being down to Struthers 6-0 (in a game which it won 26-13), the Warriors haven’t even been tested, outscoring opponents 383-94.

The Warriors are averaging 48 points and 419 yards per game. Ryan Mosora (1,388 yards, 16 touchdowns) leads all area running backs in yards gained, and is the sparkplug for an offense averaging 318 rushing yards per contest.

However, the Warriors aren’t afraid to throw, and when they do Jeremy Quinlan (51 of 86, 715 yards, 10 TDs) has shown an accurate arm.

“Brookfield is good in all facets of the game. You can’t key on any one aspect of what they do, or they’ll beat you another way,” YCS coach Brian Marrow said. “And defensively, they come at you. They attack as a group, and they are fundamentally sound.

“By far, this is the biggest challenge our program has faced. Not just this year, but ever”

The Eagles enter the game also clicking on offense. They are averaging 38.4, including an 84-point outburst last month against Mathews.

YCS is paced by running back Ryan Grier (979 yards, 13 TDs) and quarterback Emmet Underwood (931 passing yards, 13 TDs).

“Those two are scary, because either one can turn nothing into a huge play every time they touch the ball,” Clark said. “Defensively, KaeVon Green is one of the better defensive ends we’ve seen in a long time.”