For the second week in a row, Central Dauphin (6-1, 4-0) is involved in the midstate high school football Prep Showdown. This week the Rams take on perennial Mid-Penn Commonwealth power Cumberland Valley (6-1, 4-0). Who will emerge victorious? The Patriot-News' Andrew P. Shay and Eric F. Epler break down the combatants in the Prep Showdown.
Live radio webcast at 7 p.m.: Cumberland Valley meets Central Dauphin in epic showdown
Cumberland Valley Eagles’ keys to victory
1. Tip the Scales. Everyone knows RB Drew Scales has become the Rams most dangerous weapon. Have to prevent No. 5 from breaking out.
2. Run at own pace. Setting a favorable tempo is vital with quick-strike ability in Central Dauphin’s favor. Playing catch-up is not a tasty recipe.
Central Dauphin Rams keys to victory
1. Get as healthy as possible. Injuries have been a theme for the Rams this season. And that physical war at Severance Field last week certainly took its toll. Getting one or two of the injured or missing back will help.
2. Get off the field on third down. Nothing new when it comes to the Wing-T offense. Just seems the Eagles are better at converting than most. Tempo will a major component of this game.
EPLER’S PICK: Central Dauphin 28, Cumberland Valley 17.
SHAY’S PICK: Central Dauphin 31, Cumberland Valley 17.
Helpful links:
Mid-Penn Commonwealth Standings
2012 Stats: Cumberland Valley | Central Dauphin
Scores & Schedule: Cumberland Valley | Central Dauphin
Full Roster: Cumberland Valley | Central Dauphin
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POSITIONAL TALE OF THE TAPE
QUARTERBACK
Cumberland Valley: Despite targeting just 48-percent, senior Ben Fernback has contributed 625 passing yards and generally played well as the CV general. Might be asked to shoulder more responsibility at Landis.
Central Dauphin: His numbers were not great last week against Harrisburg, but Brandon LaVia throwing the ball away when nothing was available didn’t get overlooked. Pressure can’t be as intense this week.
EDGE: CENTRAL DAUPHIN
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RUNNING BACK
Cumberland Valley: Two of the Mid-Penn’s toughest runners reside here. Tyler Hartzel and Jeremy Salmon have shared 1,257 yards and 21 TDs. CV’s vaunted Wing-T also gets major contributions from Fernback and Tyler Updegraff.
Central Dauphin: Plenty of weapons at the start of the season, but available bodies are dropping left and right. A hobbled Zayd Issah was forced into the fullback role last week. Drew Scales is healthy. That’s all you need to know right now.
EDGE: EVEN
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RECEIVERS
Cumberland Valley: Garrett Long’s injury, which cost the senior a few games, certainly slowed progress in the passing game. Long is back and alongside fellow SE Brady Miller for this clash. Both will take advantage of rare looks.
Central Dauphin: More fallout from the injuries here, with Issah and Scales lining up almost exclusively in the backfield. Jordan Bowman is still a solid option, but needs to work harder to get open. Do I hear a screen pass or two in the cards?
EDGE: CENTRAL DAUPHIN
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OFFENSIVE LINE
Cumberland Valley: The Red Army blocking wall has gone through small changes each week, but the combination of guards Josh Evans, Garrett Bish and C Brent Wagner has helped CV produce a comfy 6.5 yards a carry.
Central Dauphin: The Rams expected tackle Jake Roesch, who hobbled off in the first half last week and did not return, to be ready for Friday night. Trio in the middle had a good outing against the Cougars. More of the same works.
EDGE: EVEN
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DEFENSIVE LINE
Cumberland Valley: Formidable unit that must play huge. Spencer Sheely has become a consistent force on both sides. He’ll run with McClain Fultz. Bookends Tom D’Arcy and Salmon are about as tough as they come.
Central Dauphin: Outside of two or three big plays last week, this quartet gets very high grades. Arthur Lewis is all over the field, and the discipline in those all-important lanes up the middle are in good working order.
EDGE: CENTRAL DAUPHIN
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LINEBACKERS
Cumberland Valley: Inside backers Ted Spinelli and Tyler Heisey run 1-2 for the team lead in tackles. There’s over 100 stops between them. Mike Burtner will spell for either Bret Waggoner or Hartzel outside. Gaining steam.
Central Dauphin: Lost the middle backer to a knee injury that ended his season and the two starting outside backers have been banged up for a couple weeks. Getting off those trap blocks will be important against the Eagles. Health is improving.
EDGE: CUMBERLAND VALLEY
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SECONDARY
Cumberland Valley: Probably produce more tackles than coaching staff would like, but Garrett Long, Updegraff and centerfielder Corey Johnson fancy high-impact collisions. Johnson also has four picks on his card.
Central Dauphin: Was thrown a curve by Harrisburg’s short passing game. Took the better part of three quarters to get fully adjusted to the wrinkle. But down the stretch came up with two or three big break-ups in crunch time.
EDGE: CENTRAL DAUPHIN
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SPECIAL TEAMS
Cumberland Valley: Long, when healthy, has been a reliable presence in the kicking game. And while Updegraff handles most returns, CV has a few more bodies to lend a hand. Haven’t turned momentum in a few weeks, though.
Central Dauphin: The lone rest for Scales is on kickoff returns. Malyk Harris draws that card. Scales is still back on punts, though. Just don’t bother. Yes, Casey “The Leg” Hartzell shanked a punt late. But the other three? Bombs. Winning FG was money.
EDGE: CENTRAL DAUPHIN
COACHING
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Cumberland Valley: Considering Tim Rimpfel (34th, 305-97-3) won his 300th career game before being saddled with his 100th loss speaks volumes. Plus, it’s rare when the Eagles are outworked or underprepared.
Central Dauphin: Made more in-game adjustments on the fly because of injuries than most staffs make in an entire season. This is 2012, not 2011. And head coach Glen McNamee learned a lot about his club in four quarters last Saturday — and a little something about the Cougars, too.
EDGE: EVEN
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Live radio webcast: Cumberland Valley meets Central Dauphin in epic showdown
CUMBERLAND VALLEY STARTING LINEUPS
Click here for full Cumberland Valley roster
CUMBERLAND VALLEY OFFENSE
Quarterback
16 Ben Fernback
Running backs
9 Tyler Hartzel
23 Tyler Updegraff
32 Jeremy Salmon (FB)
Wide receivers
21 Garrett Long
7 Brady Miller
Tight end
90 Tom D’Arcy
Offensive line
54 Ian Clelan (LT)
57 Josh Evans (LG)
55 Brent Wagner (C)
67 Garrett Bish (RG)
77 Spencer Sheely (RT)
CUMBERLAND VALLEY DEFENSE
Cornerbacks
21 Garrett Long
23 Tyler Updegraff
Free safety
26 Corey Johnson
Defensive line
90 Tom D’Arcy (DE)
77 Spencer Sheely
51 McClain Fultz
32 Jeremy Salmon (DE)
Linebackers
44 Bret Waggoner (OLB)
42 Tim Spinelli
35 Tyler Heisey or
83 Logan Short
9 Tyler Hartzel (OLB) or
30 Mike Burtner
CUMBERLAND VALLEY SPECIALISTS
Kickers
21 Garrett Long (K/P)
Returners
23 Tyler Updegraff
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CENTRAL DAUPHIN STARTING LINEUPS
Click here for full Central Dauphin roster
CENTRAL DAUPHIN OFFENSE
Quarterback
12 Brandon LaVia
Running backs
5 Drew Scales (TB)
27 Malachi Holmes (FB)
Wide receivers
1 Zayd Issah
11 Jordan Bowman
Tight end
44 Daylin Russo
Offensive line
77 Dalton Brill (OT)
64 Arthur Lewis (OG)
54 Nate Garland (C)
59 Spencer Chisholm (OG)
78 Jake Roesch (OT)
CENTRAL DAUPHIN DEFENSE
Cornerbacks
5 Drew Scales
6 Andrew Burgwin
Free safety
11 Jordan Bowman
Defensive line
60 Troy Slaughter (DE)
64 Arthur Lewis (DT)
59 Spencer Chisholm (DT)
55 Nolan Pharris (DE)
Linebackers
40 Steven McNeal
46 Codie Zimmerman
1 Zayd Issah
44 Daylin Russo
CENTRAL DAUPHIN SPECIALISTS
Kickers
3 Casey Hartzell (P-K)
Returners
5 Drew Scales
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