CHAMBERSBURG TROJANS AT CARLISLE THUNDERING HERD
Game info: Chambersburg at Carlisle … Friday, 7 p.m. at Ken Millen Stadium … Mid Penn Commonwealth Division game.
Media: Live stream available on MidPennBroadcasting.com and TheSportsPage.blog.

Rashawn Williams

Last week: Chambersburg (2-3, 0-2 MPC) dropped a 50-21 verdict against Central Dauphin, which held a 50-7 lead until late in the game … Over the last two games, the Trojans have lost key linemen Brandon Vaughn and Carter Flory to season-ending injuries … “We’ll have to use a lot of sophomores out there,” Chambersburg coach Mark Luther said. “The kids will get a lot of experience.” … Carlisle (3-2, 0-2 MPC) was defeated 34-14 by Harrisburg.
The Trojans: The defense gave up 479 yards against CD last week; last year in a Herd victory over Chambersburg, Carlisle had 436 yards on the ground … Chambersburg has completed 39 passes this year, to 13 different receivers, led by Rhaigeon Parker (10-213, 1 TD), Andy Jean (8-126, 1 TD) and James Lilley (5-53) … Luther said, “We’re not in a situation where we have one stud receiver and we always go to him. We have a lot of kids who have caught passes, and that’s big because they can’t single in on anybody.” … Luther said that Carlisle will frequently play tight man-to-man coverage in the secondary and bring linebackers on blitzes … “We have to be able to attack them deep when they come up like that,” Luther said … Jermere Jones is 34-62 for 600 yards, 3 interceptions and 5 TDs … RBs Bryce Flenory (33-204, 2 TDs) and Rashawn Williams (33-129, 1 TD) could be a key factor Friday … Linebacker Grant Hopple is expected to return to the lineup.
The Herd: Carlisle started 3-0, but has lost to Cumberland Valley (27-24) and Harrisburg in consecutive weeks … Ezeekai Thomas ran 12 times for 143 yards against the Trojans last year as the Herd quarterback; this time he could spend time at QB, RB or wideout … Luther said, “They throw the ball around a little (the main QB is Louis Shank and the top receiver is Matt Trolinger), but most of their big plays come on the ground. Thomas is a very athletic kid and they try to get him in space. Up front they have good size — a 300-pound tackle (Thomas Nelson, 6-4, 305), another big kid (Layton Schmick, 6-2, 280) and a center who gave us fits last year (Eli Carothers, 6-0, 255).”
Coach’s viewpoint: “I’m sure they know our offense has struggled, so we anticipate that they’ll bring pressure,” Luther said. “What we’re having trouble with is on certain plays, everybody does their job except one, and that causes the play to break down. We have to put all of it together to make those big plays.”