CUMBERLAND VALLEY AT BISHOP McDEVITT
7 p.m. FRIDAY, ROCCO ORTENZIO STADIUM
RECORDS: Cumberland Valley 2-0; Bishop McDevitt 2-0.
THE EAGLES: The Mike Whitehead era, or post-Rimpfel era if you prefer, is going well. Coming off back-to-back victories over YAIAA programs Red Lion and Central York, the Eagles are averaging nearly 7.5 yards per carry. And while hard-nosed Tyler Updegraff has done most of the heavy lifting, physical runners Tyler Heisey and Tim Spinelli have done their part. Quarterback Chris Galbraith and the passing game has not been as successful, so it seems important for Whitehead to get that end of the offense in gear against the Crusaders.
THE CRUSADERS: A pair of second-half shutouts and a pair of impressive early-season wins. That's the Crusaders, easy winners over Harrisburg and Central Dauphin, in a nutshell. By now you've heard new signal caller Nick Marsilio is fortunate to have a gaggle of high-end talent to work with. But shouldn't we be equally impressed with this defense, which continues to dig in behind bookends Mike Perloski, Steve Marrazzo and those tenacious workers along the front? Standout LB Nate Monroe and his boys just make it hard to keep the chains moving.
THE CRUX: You can't step around the obvious, that Cumberland Valley is only as good as its offensive line. No one has to remind the Eagles how important line play is in this tussle.
EPLER SAYS: We think Cumberland Valley and Central Dauphin are very similar. Both have strong potential, and both would be better suited for a boxing match with McD (-18) in week 8.
Epler on Twitter: @threejacker
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