WEST PERRY AT MIDDLETOWN
7 p.m. FRIDAY, WAR MEMORIAL FIELD
RECORDS: West Perry 0-2; Middletown 1-1.
THE MUSTANGS: Exactly 16 points is all that separates West Perry and a perfect start. The Mustangs found themselves on the wrong end of a 31-21 match to Red Land, then rallied short against East Pennsboro in a 28-24 tilt. Although QB Luke Knouse (132.60 NCAA rating) has done good things early, skipper Al Ream would love to see a bit more production from his running back stable. When your top wideout, Chase May, also leads the team in rushing, something needs tweaking. Holding possession has been a sticking point, too.
THE BLUE RAIDERS: No one at this outlet believed Middletown was quite ready to box out Northern and put new hire Brett Myers in the win column. Our bad. We did say the Raiders were hellbent on turning the corner and bringing the program back up to speed. Apparently, they got an early start. Not to diss the Polar Bears, but Middletown's assignment gets a bit tougher here with speedy West Perry rolling into town. Myers will need heavy doses of courage from QB Nathan Ocker, RB Chris Holloman and those blockers up front to make it a winning streak.
THE CRUX: West Perry linebackers Colton Whitmeyer and Dalton Megonnell. The tandem that steers the Mustangs defense has to ensure M-town playmakers Ocker and versatile Josh Matinchek don't cut loose.
EPLER SAYS: Figure the Blue Raiders will be amped for this one, but we're thinking it's time West Perry (-7) finds its first victory of the season.
On Twitter: @threejacker
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