In last week's 26-0 win at St. Louis University High, Jefferson City was able to contain a Division I running back.
This week against Rick Bridge, the Jays will have to stop a potential Division I running back.
Bruins sophomore running back Nathaniel Peat (5-10, 170) has already received an offer from Missouri.
Peat and senior back Kian Pilot (5-10, 175) are what make the Bruins move on the offensive side of the ball.
"I think the biggest thing for us is we put a net around the guy last week at SLUH, we've got to do a better job at that this week," Jays coach Ted LePage said. "And we'll probably try to use boundaries, make them go to the boundaries, don't let them go north and south."
Pilot torched Hickman's defense last week for 244 yards.
Stopping the Bruins will be a different task than last week at SLUH. Rock Bridge likes to spread things out to create running lanes while SLUH used a power attack.
"They do some things where they will stretch the field on you," LePage said. "They try to get some splits with the offensive line, they try to widen you out. A little bit different game plan and a lot different personnel as far as offensively the way they approach it. SLUH was more of an old school pound you and this is more of the new style spread."
Like most weeks, the Jays will go up against bigger linemen. Rock Bridge has numerous players listed at more than 250 pounds.
"Their offensive line, they go probably go 285-290 across the board and they are about 6-5, 6-6," LePage said. "Their running backs are about 5-8, 5-9, so they are not real visible. So the defensive line, we've got to change the line of scrimmage to create creases for us to see through to make sure what lane that young man is going to hit."
But even if the Jays can stop the run once again, Rock Bridge showed last week it can throw the ball as well.
Quarterback Marcus Manuel gave the Bruins' air attack some life in last week's 48-21 win against Hickman, throwing for 160 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions.
"They throw it effectively," LePage said. "They've got a three-level passing attack. They can work the screen game. They are real good about the screen game, running tunnel screens. But they'll take the short to intermediate route and then they'll throw the ball real deep on you. You've got to be able to extend your defense but as the same standpoint make sure you don't extend it far enough you're giving them too many lanes for them to run."
Senior receiver Malik Gleason was Manuel's favorite target last week, totaling 118 yards and a score on six catches.
"He's a very dynamic athlete," LePage said. "He's very similar to the running back we saw last week. He's just really quick and runs great routes."
On the other side, Jefferson City will try to keep its offense running on all cylinders against the Rock Bridge's defense, which only allowed Hickman to pass for 124 yards last week.
"They really play a little loose coverage with their corners and their safety trying to keep everything underneath them," LePage said.
The Bruins will play in a 3-5-3 alignment.
"They attack all over the field," LePage said. "They are going to try to create confusion on your offensive linemen and they are going to run through gaps."
Last week's win was the first of the season for the Bruins, who lost their first four games by a combined score of 141-39.
Two of those losses came to ranked teams in Class 6 and another to Battle, which is ranked second in Class 5.
Rock Bridge's closest game came against DeSmet, a 32-27 loss at home.
"They've played some great competition," LePage said. "Last week was a cross-town rival, third play of the game they scored. That's huge. That showed they came out and played with emotion."
Jefferson City leads the all-time series 17-7, but the teams have split the past six meetings.
Rock Bridge led the Jays 21-17 at halftime last year before Jefferson City shut out the Bruins in the second half to win 31-21.
The last time the Bruins beat the Jays was in 2014.
"This is a team we take very seriously," LePage said. "Rock Bridge brings their best game against Jeff City. Our players know it, our coaches know it."
Kickoff for the Homecoming matchup is set for 7 p.m. at Adkins Stadium.
Notes: Jays receiver Michael Ellinger injured his ankle last week and will be limited tonight. "He might be able to play a couple snaps, but he's not going to be able to play much," LePage said. "He hasn't practiced much this week." Tyler Bise and Davione Evans are expected to see more time at receiver.
Jefferson City hosts Rock Bridge
Updates on Twitter: @J_Strick_Sports
Listen live online: kwos.com or klik1240.com
Preview Podcast: Jefferson City Jays Football Podcast [Rock Bridge preview, Sept. 23, 2016]