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Last year, the Maroons averaged 6.8 yards per carry on the way to 2,411 rushing yards. Behind that ground attack, they finished the regular season at 6-2 and advanced to the Section III, Class A semifinals. 

But Auburn’s dominance in the run game has reached another level this season. The team is averaging 10 yards per carry after two games, and as a result has won both by a combined score of 99-12.

Quarterback Matthew Smith opened the season with 143 rushing yards and three scores in a 42-6 win over Fayetteville-Manlius. Four other players added at least 30 yards to help balance the load in the backfield.

In the Maroons’ most recent win Sept. 11 against Fowler, Johntae Smith took the baton from the quarterback and rushed for two scores and 122 yards on just 11 carries. While he led the team in yardage, Matthew Smith still found a way to do damage with his legs, rushing for two touchdowns and 53 yards on five attempts. Amir Williams, Jae'ssiah Smith and Jordan Parker also chipped in a combined 131 rushing yards and one score each.

On Thursday, Auburn's rushing attack will face one of its toughest tests when it travels to take on Whitesboro. In the two teams’ pair of matchups last year, the eventual runner-up to the Class A state championship held the Maroons to an average of 128.5 rushing yards and 6 total points. 

As its offense tries to improve on those outings last season, Auburn's defense will try to do the same. The Maroons surrendered an average of 40.5 points to Whitesboro over the two games. 

But this year, Auburn has allowed just 6 points in each of its wins so far — a marked improvement over the average of 21.4 points it surrendered across 10 games last year. 

After leading the team in tackles (67) last season as a junior, Anthony Mancuso has already amassed a team-high 22 and one sack. Christian London and Wyatt Parkman-Emmi have also made key contributions with 16 and 15 tackles, respectively. 

Player of the week: Johntae Smith, Auburn

Smith was the Maroons’ driving force in their 57-6 rout over Fowler at home on Thursday. Along with his 122 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground, the senior caught a 16-yard pass for another score. His 138 yards from scrimmage tied a career-high he set last season in a 40-20 victory over Henninger. Defensively, he added three tackles and provided pressure off the edge for Auburn.

Game of the week: Jordan-Elbridge at Port Byron/Union Springs 

The 0-2 Eagles hope to enter the win column this season when they travel to take on the 1-1 Panthers Friday.

Jordan-Elbridge has won three of its last five matchups against US/PB, winning last season's meeting 46-6. However, the Panthers will look to take advantage of a new-look Eagles team for their second win of the year.

One way they could try to do it is with their ground attack. The Panthers have rushed for 461 yards over their two games so far, while Jordan-Elbridge has surrendered 692 rushing yards during that same stretch.