CENTRAL DAUPHIN AT BISHOP McDEVITT
7 p.m. FRIDAY, ROCCO ORTENZIO STADIUM
RECORDS: Central Dauphin 1-0; Bishop McDevitt 1-0.
THE RAMS: A well-time 14-point outburst in the final 7:43 against Manheim Twp. allowed Central Dauphin to open its season with a win. Of course the Rams were anything but perfect, but didn't we expect some growing pains with so many new faces in key roles? Despite a pair of picks, new starting QB Nate Dickey certainly held his own, and rushers Raleigh Sirb and Malachi Holmes will have to piece together another concentrated effort to put the Rams in position to win this week. And keep in mind LBs Codie Zimmerman, Steven McNeal and the rest of the Rams D had a nice opening.
THE CRUSADERS: We know the opposition was hoping to find a few cracks in the Crusaders week 1 line-up. Most put the target on QB Nick Marsilio, who was making his first varsity start while staring across at McD's most rambunctious rival. Thanks to that blossoming O-line, the junior hardly broke a sweat, going 15 of 19 for 171 yards and a TD. As expected, the tandem of runners Andre Robinson (four TDs) and Rashad Lawson shared over 200 yards. And that attacking set of linebackers steered a McD defense that shut down Harrisburg in the final 24 minutes. Good luck finding that crack.
THE CRUX: Once they broke a sweat, Bishop McDevitt's frontline of defense stacked up Harrisburg's talented run game a week ago. Seems appropriate then to say CD's ability to match that kind of quickness and push will decide it.
EPLER SAYS: We know better than to dismiss Central Dauphin's chances because of fine-tuning issues. The problem is the Crusaders (-16) already appear to be a well-oiled machine.
EPLER ON TWITTER: @threejacker
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