SUSQUEHANNA TWP. AT CD EAST
7 p.m. FRIDAY, THE SPEEDWAY
RECORDS: Susquehanna Twp. 1-0; CD East 1-0.
THE INDIANS: If you checked out The Program – we recommend that you do – you might have noticed that junior Malachi Simpson, one of four candidates for the job during camp, earned the start against Spring Grove last Friday. This was an important “debate” because the Indians, due to a rash of injuries, ran into trouble in prior seasons by becoming one-dimensional. The Indians can use their speed, although it's way more productive to deploy it all over the field. Simpson handled the call well, collecting 211 passing yards and a TD, a nice complement to Coach Joe Headen's established run game.
THE PANTHERS: Got to give skipper Aaron Blanding and his Panthers some credit. Not many teams can absorb 15 penalties for 125 yards and still walk away with a victory. QB Brandon Ross put in blue-collar minutes against Shippensburg, as did receiver Raekwon Purdy and RB Chase Edmonds (166 rush). The end result was a much-needed feather in CD East's cap. Now, the mission is to keep the momentum burning against a more swift and experienced crew. To upstage the Indians, CD East must undercut those penalties and limit Twp.'s chances on the edge.
THE CRUX: The Indians will likely be without top LB Logan Sangree-Hills, who suffered a leg injury during the Indians 30-9 triumph at Spring Grove. One less tackler against Edmonds & Co. is never a plus.
EPLER SAYS: One year ago, the Panthers (+5) swiped a razor thin 14-13 win over Susquehanna Twp. The Indians might be better equipped at the moment, but this one still feels like a toss up.
On Twitter: @threejacker
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