WILSON AT HARRISBURG
1 p.m. SATURDAY, SEVERANCE FIELD
RECORDS: Wilson 1-0; Harrisburg 0-1.
THE BULLDOGS: Yeah that was one impressive opening act for 2013 by Doug Dahms’ new-look troops. Whether Governor Mifflin was slightly overrated or not is irrelevant. Wilson opened up a can of whoop tail on the Mustangs that provided a well-rounded snapshot of the defending District 3-AAAA champions. The Bulldogs new-look defense limited Mifflin to 145 total yards and only 108 rushing yards on 41 carries. Message sent and received. Wilson’s defense will again be hard to run against. The offense isn’t dazzling, but gets the job done. Running backs Shane Dantzler and John Raifsnyder combined for 150 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns. Harrisburg is wounded, but the Cougars provide another test.
THE COUGARS: So that offensive and defensive fronts that had so many questions to answer when 2013 kicked off provided some early answers in Week 1. These groups might be largely inexperienced, but they certainly have some chops. The injury to Rutgers recruit RB Robert Martin changes the dynamic a little on both sides of the ball. But remember, at Harrisburg there’s always somebody. It won’t be a Robert Martin, but there is somebody. More of the running load will fall onto the capable shoulders of Darian Davis Ray and Sheldon Snell. And while Wilson’s defense appears solid, it’s still an inexperienced group. Pretty sure the defense Harrisburg tussled with in Week 1 is better. The passing game and QB Mikell Clark has to be better this week.
THE CRUX: What can this Harrisburg offense without Robert Martin do against a Wilson defense that is equally absent of seasoning.
SHAY SAYS: This is a rematch of the 2012 District 3-AAAA title game where Wilson (-11) roughed up the Cougars. Losing an 1,800-yard Division I running back changes the Harrisburg offense. Curious to see how this group responds as a team to this early-season adversity.
SHAY ON TWITTER: @APShay
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