MECHANICSBURG AT NORTHERN
7 p.m. FRIDAY, ROBERT F. BOSTIC FIELD
RECORDS: Mechanicsburg 2-0; Northern 1-1
THE WILDCATS: A flying start to the Mechanicsburg spread offense with more than 300 yards and 40 points a game. Head coach Chris Hakel knew this group was loaded with skill players, so he built an offense based on getting them more touches. QB Tyler Schubert is off to a strong start with 437 yards and five touchdowns without a pick. And his completion percentage is up as well. Among the handful of receivers at his disposal is clear No. 1 Swahneek Brown, who is averaging 18 yards a catch with a pair of touchdowns. With him, the deep ball is in play. As long as the OL continues to give Schubert time, this offense will move the ball.
THE POLAR BEARS: Football veterans have seen this before – a new coach implementing a new system. One week it will be guns blazing then a week or two later it struggles. It’s part of the equation in terms of change. Northern rolled up 45 points in its opener then managed only a touchdown in a loss to Middletown in Week 2. The defense has surrendered only two touchdowns. But it hasn’t seen an offense with this kind of firepower, either.
THE CRUX: Northern’s defense must find a way to slow down a Mechanicsburg offense that’s put up 80 points in eight quarters. Making Wildcats’ QB Schubert uncomfortable in the pocket is the key. Because when he has time, he’s already proven he will produce.
SHAY SAYS: This is one of the unique rivalry games that doesn’t exactly fit into the rivalry mode. For some reason Mechanicsburg (-15) and Northern bring out the best in each other and the best analysis usually goes out the door in short order. Mechanicsburg’s offense is way ahead of the Polar Bears at this point. That’s enough to grab a seat on the 3-0 Mechanicsburg train.
SHAY ON TWITTER: @APShay
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