WILSON AT GOVERNOR MIFFLIN
FRIDAY, 7 P.M. IN MUSTANG STADIUM
RECORDS: First game.
THE BULLDOGS: Much has been made of the fact that Wilson will return just three starters from last year’s team, which won its fifth undefeated L-L Section 1 title in a row and a District 3 Class AAAA gold trophy with a win over Harrisburg. That can’t go unnoticed, sure. But these are the Bulldogs, who reload. So rest assured they’ll have 18 new starters raring and ready to go for this annual showdown. Never, ever any love lost when Wilson and Governor Mifflin tangle in anything, particularly on the gridiron. Two key kids: Returning QB Matt Timochenko will have a lot on his plate, with nine new starters surrounding him. And LB Hunter Hatlee, a tackle machine, yes. But he’ll have 10 new starters surrounding him. Those guys must be the leaders and have their voices heard.
WILSON COUNTDOWN TO CAMP PREVIEW
THE MUSTANGS: Tons to love in Shillington, where vet coach Mick Vecchio returns a slew of talent, including junior QB Jan Johnson, who pilots Mifflin’s option attack. He piled up 1,791 yards of total offense and accounted for 27 TD last season. Johnson has Temple recruit Connor Morehart, a 6-4, 290-pounder, to protect him in the trenches. Mustangs are on quite a run; they’ve won six out of the last Berks Section 1 titles, including the last three in a row. Mifflin has won 18 league games in a row, and it’ll be out for some payback vs. Wilson, which beat the Mustangs 21-0 in last year’s season opener, then dropped Mifflin 21-14 in the district semifinals.
THE CRUX: We’ll see what Wilson’s new-look O line looks like right out of the chute; Mifflin returns d-line thumpers Morehart, Jared Gill (6-3, 360), Garrett Henry (6-2, 270) and Keith Miller (6-4, 310), who will all have their sights set on Timochenko and his new weapons.
REINHART SAYS: You can usually throw out the records — or in this case, the number of returning players — when the Bulldogs and Mustangs lock horns. This District 3 rivalry is about as bitter as it gets. With plenty of motivation this time around, Mifflin (-2) is the pick.