Shippensburg (3-0) at Northern (1-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Robert F. Bostic Field
Buzz: What have we learned about Shippensburg in the first three weeks of the season? Well, we’ve learned that not much has changed since the Greyhounds were breaking off 11 straight victories to open the ‘21 season. Despite a couple of new faces, the Hounds still take pride in playing defense. Last week, Spring Grove did pile up 162 yards on the ground but only mustered 14 points. No. 2 is Shippensburg has a wealth of options on the other side of the ball. QB Tucker Chamberlin is comfortable pitching deep to dazzling WR Erby Weller or simply handing off to talented rushers Trae Kater or Amari Kerr or “Diesel.” NOTE: We’ve chosen to honor FB Diesel Koser alongside other one-named stars like Prince, Rihanna and McLovin. The point is you must address all these Shippensburg “angles” and hope your game is polished enough that week to win the overall challenge. It’s a tall challenge, indeed.
Northern might have started the season with a bang – the Polar Bears decked Red Land 45-6 – but the last two weeks have been somewhat frustrating via two tight setbacks. Last week, Dover cashed in a touchdown and two-point conversion with 3:34 to play to prevail 29-28. RB Cole Bartram led Northern’s rushing attack with 116 yards and two scores. However, the Polar Bears were dinged for 339 yards by Dover QB Aric Campbell. That’s a tough pill to swallow, especially for a Northern program that prefers a physical battle. Can Bill Miller’s squad get back to winning ways against the preseason favorite in the Mid-Penn Colonial Division? We’re not dismissing the possibility, but it’s clear the Polar Bears need to present a nastier edge defensively and somehow merge QB Timmy Bonin’s ability with their proven run game. Between Bartram and Talon Balluscio (33 rushes, 163 yards), the veteran backfield needs a big week. And Northern’s defense needs to gift a couple of short field looks.
Greyhounds’ key to victory: Shippensburg has “settled in” each week during the first 12 minutes of action. The Hounds popped ahead of week 1 foe Cedar Cliff 14-0 in the opening quarter and did the same vs. Big Spring in week 2. Shipp stood even (7-7) with Spring Grove but had its game plan in gear by the time the scoreboard switched quarters. If Northern allows Eric Foust & Co. to do the same Friday night at Bostic, it could be a long night for the hosts.
Ad Choices