Football preview: Marathon looks to make it 3 in a row to start the season at Crandon on Thursday on Wausau Area Sports.

Week 3 of the High School football season kicks off for some teams on Thursday night, including the Marathon Red Raiders. Marathon will look to start the season with a third straight win at Crandon in a game that will be broadcast live on Wausau Area Sports. Both of the Raiders wins have come in the final moments as the Marathon defense stopped a Loyal/Greenwood drive in the final minute to win 24-16 in week 1. Week 2 was even more thilling with a 22-19 triple overtime victory at Auburndale in a game the Raiders trailed by 10 points late in the 4th quarter.

On offense it's been the pass game that has lifted the Red Raiders. Sophomore QB Brayson Schneider has been busy and effective over the first two weeks with 70 pass attempts and 39 completions for 534 yards, 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. The top target is returning all-conference receiver Garrett Bracewell with 21 catches for 275 yards and 3 touchdowns. The 21 catches for Bracewell ranks 2nd in the state behind only the 24 catches of Green Bay Preble's Tyler Cleven. Marathon would like to add to their rushing totals as the team is averaging just under 100 yards per game through two weeks.

Defensively the Raiders have been stellar. After allowing 16 points in the season-opening win vs. Loyal/Greenwood, the defense only allowed 7 points in regulation last week at Auburndale as the 2nd Eagles' score came on a special teams score. Landon Hilgart has been consistently excellent with 11 tackles in both of the first two games. Sophomore Koltyn Stevens has been active as well with 19 tackles this season.

It's been a tougher start for Crandon as the Cardinals have started their campaign at 0-2 after losses to Nekoosa on the road and Merrill at home. The Crandon defense has given up 32.5 yards per game while the offense has only 22 points total. Crandon is a run-first team with 55 rush attempts total compared to just 18 passes despite being behind in both games.

Crandon's top two runners have solid per carry averages as sophomore Emmitt Deer has carried 30 times for 203 yards for 6.8 yards per rush. Senior QB Nolan Bradley has rushed for 153 yards on just 17 carries for 9 yards per rush. Bradley has hit on 8 of 16 passes for 65 yards, no TD's and 1 interception. Bradley is a do-it all player for the Cardinals as he also is the top defensive performer with 28 tackles in the first two weeks.

Again, Thursday's Marathon at Crandon game will be broadcast live on Wausau Area Sports YouTube channel starting with the pregame at 6:45 pm and kickoff set for 7 pm.