The Wilmington College football team will play its final game of the season 1 p.m. Saturday when they host the Fighting Muskies of Muskingum. It will mark the final game for six seniors – Eric Watts, Drew Dutoi, Matt Stooksbury, Scott Duncan, and Tyler DeVore.

Stopping the running game will be priority number one of Wilmington as the tandem of Melvin Smith and Desmond Waden are averaging 967 yards on 195 carries with seven touchdowns. Smith is coming off a 35-carry, 157-yard effort – both career-highs – in the Muskies' 17-13 win over Marietta. He has rushed for more than 150 yards twice this season, both Muskingum victories.

"The main thing for us is we have to keep them bottled up," said Wilmington head coach Stacey Hairston. "We have to keep contain, and make sure – no matter which back is in the game – we play physical and wrap up. No matter which back is in the game, we can't allow them to get extra yards by breaking contain. That is our big challenge this week, specifically for our offensive line. We have to be physical with their offensive line."

Wilmington comes into the game ranked ninth in rushing offense, allowing 256.0 yards per game. The Fightin' Quakers have allowed more than 200 yards on the ground four times this season, including a season-high 263 against Marietta.

"Scheme-wise we have had people in position to make plays, and the lack of physicality and proper technique tackling has led to big runs against us," said Hairston. "The person in position to make the play, has to make the play."

Junior Nick Williams is fifth in the league with a team-high 85 tackles this season. However, the brunt of slowing down the MU attack will lie firmly on the shoulders of Wilmington's front four of David Henry (Wilmington, OH/Wilmington), Darren Milligan (Carlisle, OH/Carlisle), Linden Ayoki (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle) and Ryan Prince (Urbana/Urbana).

Muskingum could be load up the box in order to slow down sophomore Chase Manica (Shelbyville, KY/Shelby County) and WC's running game. Manica needs 168 yards Saturday to become the first running back since running back coach Will Isaac to gain more than 1,000 yards in a season.

"They are going up, be very aggressive and try to minimize what we want to do on the ground," said Hairston. "Their linebacker (Chaney Fulton) is currently leading the league in tackles. Those guys fly around, and you watch them on film, and you are surprised at some of the things they have given up. We haven't been as effective throwing the ball and that will allow them to put more guys in the box."

Both freshmen quarterbacks Blake Valenzuela (Keystone Hts., FL/Keystone Hts.) and Daniel Crusan (Miami, FL/Palmetto) could see action in the finale. Combined they are 23-of-52 for 337 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.