DOVER AT RED LAND
7 p.m. FRIDAY, WEST SHORE STADIUM
RECORDS: Dover 2-0; Red Land 2-0.
THE EAGLES: Thinking back to the 2012 season, Dover also ransacked Hanover and Solanco – by a combined 104-14, no less – before the meatier portion of the schedule heated up. The end result was a 4-6 season. This time, victories over Hanover and Solanco were a little less explosive, but solid work remained for QB Logan Ambrose and RBs Isaiah Green and Jake McLean. Yes, the Eagles have rolled up 612 rushing yards so far, but is that enough to carry them past stage one in that aforementioned meatier portion? Red Land beat the Eagles by 20 last year.
THE PATRIOTS: We can't prove that head coach Chad Weaver can make a full-size sailboat out of four Q-tips, a roll of knitting yarn and pair of tiki torches, but MacGyver's got nothing on this cat. No, I'm not suggesting the Patriots are a bunch of Q-tips, but it just seems like Red Land's moving parts sort of mix and match in key moments and find a way to make it work. So far, so good. If Red Land can keep getting ample yards from RB John Ford, FB Connor Parson and quality reps from QB Garrett Scott, MacGyver & Co. will escape the burning warehouse with a perfect 3-0 mark.
THE CRUX: The Patriots fully exposed Dover's one-dimensional attack last season, limiting the Eagles to 91 rushing and 133 total yards on offense. Dover must find a healthy balance to compete.
EPLER SAYS: The Patriots (-11) have already entertained a tough pair of opponents in West Perry and Carlisle. Getting past another should not be an issue.
On Twitter: @threejacker
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