1/29--The Preview

Middletown South Eagles (9-3-2) at Howell Rebels (10-2-4)

Meet the Opponent: The Eagles, ranked 26th overall in the state, display a strong defensive attack that flat-out knows how to stop teams, yielding only 2.5 goals a game. With a record of 9-3-2, and losses only to CBA, Brick Memorial, and Middletown North, the Eagles are one of the best public teams in the state (ranked 13th in public) and are looking for another 10-win season.

Howell Rebels X-Factor: 'Dave Ramos'. Ramos, who sits atop the Shore Conference in points, is coming off a 10-day lay-off and will need to produce Saturday night. Although Ramos is having nowhere near the statistical season that he had last year (53 goals, 97 points in '08-'09), he still has been much more of a leader on a team that has faced adversity for the first time, and has been double-teamed all season.

Middletown South Eagles X-Factor : 'Team Defense'. Surprisingly, the Eagles have not built their success off of scoring goals, like many high school programs do. Instead, they pride themselves on defense, as stated before allowing just 2.5 goals per game. However, that pride will be at stake on Saturday night, as Middletown South will do the best to neutralize Ramos and Eddie Pyskaty, to highlight-reel potential players game in and game out. If the Eagles stop these two prolific scorers, their odds at knocking off the 33rd ranked Rebs are much higher.

The Prediction: Howell defeats Middletown South 5-3. Although this is a very competitive game early, the red-hot Rebels will pull away in the third period in front of the typically-sold out crowd at Wall and improve their winning-streak to five games.