BISHOP McDEVITT AT MECHANICSBURG
7 p.m. FRIDAY, JOHN H. FREDERICK FIELD
RECORDS: Bishop McDevitt 3-0, 0-0 Keystone; Mechanicsburg 3-0, 0-0.
THE CRUSADERS: Played the Jack-in-the-box game to perfection for the third consecutive week. Cumberland Valley did enough to wind up McD with tough runs and resilient play. Eventually, RB Andre Robinson and that War Eagle defense popped, leading to a 27-7 win, McD's third straight. We're a little concerned that quad injury to fellow RB Rashad Lawson might take a little sting out of McD's backfield, but coach Jeff Weachter can always turn to wideouts Bryce Hall, Ty Gibson or TE Chad Cortez to fill the gap if Lawson is limited. That's the Crusaders big plus, it's vast arsenal.
THE WILDCATS: It's been said the sign of a rising program is finding a way to win without playing your best. No disrespect to Northern, which fought to the bitter end last Friday, but the Wildcats managed just 28 rushing yards, and QB Tyler Schubert connected on just 50-percent of his 32 pass attempts, in that 24-21 win at Bostic Field. Mechanicsburg even overcame three turnovers. Skipper Chris Hakel knows three turnovers against McD simply won't cut it, nor will a one-dimensional look on offense. Playmakers Shyheim Brown, Swahneek Brown and Jeray Anderson will be counted on.
THE CRUX: While the Cats had success running the football against Gettysburg in week 2, better defenses (Northern, Carlisle) limited Mechanicsburg's run game to less than 2 yards per carry.
EPLER SAYS:Bishop McDevitt (-20) is feeling the weight of playing Harrisburg, Central Dauphin and Cumberland Valley in successive weeks. Its defense, however, is more than capable of ruining Mechanicsburg's upset plans.
Epler on Twitter: @threejacker
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