It’s now the seventh week of the Mid-Penn football regular season, as teams vie for playoff position across the conference. Below is a closer look at the slate of games regarding Colonial Division teams.
Big Spring at West Perry
7 p.m. Friday, Mustangs Stadium, West Perry HS
THE BULLDOGS (5-1, 3-1): Big Spring will haul its three-game win streak into Elliottsburg for a highly anticipated dustup with the Mustangs. The Bulldogs certainly want to keep this train rolling and stay in the penthouse suite in the current D3 3A power ratings. RB Grady Hope has provided plenty of fuel with his 700-plus rushing yards and 10 scores. And QB Chance Fry can connect downfield if needed. Coach Joe Sinkovich offers a stout D, as well.
THE MUSTANGS (5-1, 3-1): Let’s face it, Bob Boden’s team had no business claiming last week’s 28-27 win over East Pennsboro. That’s the beauty of this program though, right? Belief is a dangerous thing to opponents and the Mustangs are an improbable 5-1 and in the hunting party for a division title. Newcomer Mason Page held his own at QB last week, stepping in for the injured Hayden Fleisher.
X-FACTOR: Turnovers. In an expected battle of tenacious and evenly matched opponents, the difference after 48 minutes is often the side that protects the football.
THE PICK: West Perry 28, Big Spring 24
Trinity at Boiling Springs
7 p.m. Friday, Bud Ecker Field, Boiling Springs
THE SHAMROCKS (4-2, 3-1): Is there a hotter team inside the Colonial ranks? Sure, those high rollers at Susquehanna Township have an argument, but Trinity has one too after winning four straight and pulling back into contention for a top D3 3A spot. It has plenty to do with the steady hand of QB Mason Boyer and rough ground game, led by Brandon Harris (6.4 ypc., 3 TDs). However, this Rocks D has limited foes to just 17 total points in the last month.
THE BUBBLERS (1-5, 0-5): It’s true that opening week victory over Littlestown feels like a season ago. Already plagued with a difficult schedule in a rebuilding season, the Bubblers are trying to find an avenue to stay competitive well into the second half. While it’s hard to head back to basics with just a month left in the season, can the Bubblers find enough positive gains to stay competitive here?
X-FACTOR: Hungry defense. While the Shamrocks have playmakers on the offensive side, this squad is hanging its hat on defense, where talents like Marcus Yeager (8 TFLs), Harris and more are locked in.
THE PICK: Trinity 36, Boiling Springs 7
East Pennsboro at Susquehanna Township
7 p.m. Friday, Roscoe Warner Field
THE PANTHERS (4-2, 4-1): Even successful programs have certain mood swings during a long season. Last week’s finish vs. West Perry had to hurt, and the Panthers won’t roll into Roscoe Warner on a five-game win streak. That said, we’ve used the word resilient in connection with EP many times before. That Panthers are capable on both sides of the line to give Hanna all sorts of fits.
THE INDIANS (6-0, 4-0): Every week a new statistical nugget pops up around the Indians, and no were not talking about the mounting touchdown number for QB Torin Evans. That stands at 24 (16 pass) by the way. Nope, Hanna just happens to lead the MPC is scoring (45.0 ppg.), plus the Indians lead the conference in fewest points allowed (7.8 ppg.). It’s unclear if that double up has ever happened through seven weeks.
X-FACTOR: Containment. Evans has been equally dangerous on the ground and through the air. Evan a spy doesn’t guarantee a positive outcome for the defense.
THE PICK: Susquehanna Township 33, East Pennsboro 21
Milton Hershey at Greencastle-Antrim
7 p.m. Friday, Kaley Field, Greencastle
THE SPARTANS (1-5, 1-4): After producing limited drama over the first half of the season, the Spartans won its first contest a week ago in a cinematic masterpiece. All it took was a 21 pass from Logan Jerry to Jaidyn Sokpo as time expired for the Spartans to notch a 26-21 triumph over Newport. Jeff Boger’s crew racked up 288 rushing yards, 131 stripes coming from Fredrick Bond. Boger will need more that consistent push both here and down the stretch.
THE BLUE DEVILS (1-5, 1-4): While it’s been a tough stretch of football for G-A, most expected a rough road with the last three opponents sporting a combined 13-5 record. Yes, qualifying for the postseason is a longshot, but you can’t discount the work of RB Blake Reuter (5 TDs) and some defensive push applied by Noah Shiflett and more. If Reuter gets going early it could be a long night for the Spartans.
X-FACTOR: The Spartans may have found the spark it needed last week, but nothing will come easy at Kaley Field.
THE PICK: Milton Hershey 26, Greencastle-Antrim 21
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