www.arkansastechsports.com will begin at 1:30 p.m. The Wonder Boys will attempt to stop a two-game losing streak, while the Tigers will try to extend their three-game winning streak. East Central features the talents of senior defensive lineman Alex King, who is tied for the conference lead in tackles for a loss (12.0) and ranks second in the GAC in quarterback sacks (5.0). Last Saturday in a 24-21 win at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, King established a new GAC single-game record with 5.5 tackles for a loss. He had two quarterback sacks and a forced fumble in the victory. King was named GAC defensive player of the week and NCAA Division II national defensive player of the week by D2Football.com in recognition of his performance. “As I’ve watched film over the course of the season, it’s been very noticeable how big and physical East Central is on the defensive line,” said Monica. “We have been banged up on the offensive line. We cut back some things in practice on Wednesday so that we could get everyone healthy come game time. There will be some match-ups up front that give us some concern, but there are other match-ups that we like.” One match-up the Wonder Boys have liked in recent weeks is sophomore linebacker Logan Genz against almost any opposing offensive player. Genz made 15 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for a loss, in Tech’s loss to OBU last Saturday. He also made an interception and forced a fumble. For the season, Genz has recorded 82 tackles and his 10.2 tackles per game are second-most in the GAC. The West Fork product had the first 100-tackle season by a Wonder Boy since 2005 last year, and he is on pace to go over 100 tackles again this season. “Logan’s instincts are getting better and better,” said Monica. “I think that comes down to preparation during the week. I asked him about his interception against OBU, and he told me he knew he was going to pick it off as soon as the ball was snapped. He knew what was coming because he had seen it in film study and in practice, and he made the play happen. He is getting better and he is definitely one of the leaders on the team.” East Central owns a 9-6 edge in its all-time football series with Arkansas Tech, including a pair of wins over the Wonder Boys since the inaugural year of the GAC in 2011. Arkansas Tech is 2-3 all-time against East Central in games played at Ada. The Wonder Boys’ last road win over the ECU Tigers was a 7-0 victory on Sept. 28, 1929. Saturday marks the final road game of the 2013 season for Arkansas Tech. The Wonder Boys will host Southeastern Oklahoma State University on Saturday, Nov. 9, and Harding University on Saturday, Nov. 16, for their final two games of the year. Both contests will begin at 2 p.m. at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field in Russellville.]]>
