The Chambersburg football team has found that winning feeling, and the Trojans want to hang on to that high for as long as they can.
The season seemed to hit a turning point in Week 6, when a one-win Chambersburg squad entered as an underdog against Cedar Cliff, and walked away with a stunning 38-13 beatdown over the Colts. That momentum carried into the following week, when the Trojans used late-game big plays to down Carlisle by a 28-13 score.
All of a sudden, there’s excitement around the program, even talk about qualifying for the postseason. That enthusiasm could erupt into a roar when the Altoona Mountain Lions roll into Trojan Stadium on Friday night.
With seven losses in seven games, Altoona has nothing to lose coming into Friday’s contest. The Mountain Lions, however, would like nothing more than to take out the Trojans, who have everything to lose.
Chambersburg has a big opportunity to win its third-straight game, but can’t afford to fall asleep at the wheel in this crucial Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division tilt, which we’ve selected as our Game of the Week.
In the weeks and months to come throughout the high school sports season, we plan on spotlighting multiple teams and sports with our Game of the Week. Any big upcoming games we should know about? Send suggestions to Andy Sandrik via email at big_andy76@yahoo.com.
Atloona at Chambersburg
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m., at Chambersburg
Records: Altoona is 0-7 overall and 0-6 in the Commonwealth Division, while Chambersburg checks in at 3-4 overall and 2-4 in the Commonwealth.
Last game: The Mountain Lions are coming off a 33-0 loss to Harrisburg, while the Trojans are aiming for their straight win after topping Carlisle 28-13 last week.
Last meeting: Altoona dispatched Chambersburg by a 25-7 score in last season’s matchup.
Meet the Mountain Lions: It’s easy to look at Altoona’s winless record and dismiss the Mountain Lions, but every team in the big-school Commonwealth has at least a puncher’s chance when they take the field. Just ask the mighty Bishop McDevitt Crusaders, who had to stave off an upset bid from Altoona in a 28-21 win in Week 6. Vince Nedimyer’s Mountain Lions are overwhelmingly a run-first ballclub, with QB Mark Harrington leading the way with 102 carries for 429 yards and a TD. He’s joined in the backfield by running back Julian Hazlewood (45-232-1), who is also a threat in the kick return game. Linebackers Logan Wukovich (87 tackles, 4 tackles for loss) and Harrington (47 tackles, sack) anchor a defense that is allowing 30.4 points per game. Altoona has the potential to make this a competitive and entertaining game, but the Mountain Lions will need an uptick in production from their offense, which has been shut out in four of seven games.
Meet the Trojans: The season seemed to be lost for Chambersburg after a 1-4 start, but the Trojans have crawled back into playoff contention with back-to-back wins over Cedar Cliff and Carlisle. Now ranked No. 11 in the District 3-6A power rankings, Chambersburg will have to keep winning if it hopes to qualify for the 10-team playoff field. Mark Luther’s Trojans have a number of talented athletes, including running Antonio Harrison, a big-play threat who diced up Carlisle for 113 rushing yards and three TDs last week. Imari Watson is another speedy running back with home run potential, while QB Caegan Truett and athletic wide receiver Trever Luther can keep defenses honest with their connection in the passing game. Linebacker Stanley Lozius is the heart and soul of the defense, while cornerback Evan Brown and free safety Jason Chambers are both coming off games that saw them pick off passes. Chambersburg is playing a confident brand of football right now, and if the Trojans can combine that with clean execution, they have a really good chance of taking another step forward in the race for the postseason.
Sandrik’s pick: Trojans by 9.
