WHERE: 7 p.m. Friday, Bud Ecker Field
RECORDS: Middletown 0-8, 0-5 Capital Division; Boiling Springs 1-7, 0-5.
THE BLUE RAIDERS: Finding the right combination hasn’t been easy for coach Rob Deibler. When Middletown gets a solid press by runners Josh Matinchek (5) or Chris Hollomon (45), the defense collapses. That’s the area of most concern, especially East Pennsboro was awarded 234 rushing yards in week 7. Must be better here and force the Bubblers into uncomfortable third-and-6 looks.
THE BUBBLERS: That week 3 scalp against Big Spring seems very long ago. But the Bubblers were playing competitive football until Steel-High chalked up 40 points a week ago at Ecker Field. RB Anton Morrow has been the spark, but contributions have come from John Vaughn and Connor Murphy along the way. First-year skipper Nate Frier will need all three burning yards and time to grab first division win.
EPLER SAYS: Both programs will be looking for a positive start in a perceived wide-open battle. Middletown (-6) might be better equipped to get it.