Series: First meeting.
Last week: The Spartans lost to Jefferson, 35-6. The Bulldogs beat Hampshire, 35-14.
Notes: The Spartans managed just 137 yards of offense last week in the loss to Jefferson. They were flagged for 11 penalties for 100 yards. The Bulldogs are off to their fifth 4-0 start in as many years. RB Josh Twyman recorded his fourth straight game 100-yard rushing game, carrying 26 times for 196 yards and a touchdown. Twyman is the area's leading rusher with 584 yards in four games. QB Cameron Shelton, starting in place of the injured Dustin Peters, was 9 of 13 for 140 yards and three TDs. He did throw two INTs.
No. 3 Tuscarora Titans (2-0) at Smithsburg Leopards (0-2)
When: Today, 7 p.m.
Series: Smithsburg leads, 1-0.
Last meeting: 2004 Smithsburg, 34-25.
Last week: The Titans beat South Hagerstown, 29-7. The Leopards lost to Poolesville, 41-21.
Notes: Kenny White ran for 139 yards and a TD and Cruz Mannherz added 105 yards and a TD for the Titans against South Hagerstown. Mannherz has converted four 2-point conversion runs already this season. The Leopards have lost four straight regular-season games dating back to last season. The Leopards have not started a season 0-3 since 1997, when they finished 0-10.
No. 4 Middletown Knights (2-0) at Brunswick Railroaders (1-1)
When: Today, 7 p.m.
Series: Middletown leads, 28-2.
Last meeting: 2004 Middletown, 23-0.
Last week: The Knights beat Boonsboro, 36-8. The Railroaders knocked off Catoctin, 30-21.
Notes: The Knights scored 22 points in the third quarter after holding just a 7-2 halftime lead over Boonsboro. Parker Lumley scored three rushing TDs as the Knights rolled up 218 yards on the ground. Middletown has allowed just eight points to each of its first two opponents. The Railroaders gained 229 yards on the ground against Catoctin, led by Danny Lefebvre (107) and Andrew Derr (99). The Railroaders lost two fumbles, but compensated by recovering four Walkersville fumbles and picking off two passes. The Railroaders played without RB Eric Zwilsky, their leading rusher in 2004, because of personal reasons.
No. 5 Greencastle Blue Devils (3-0) at Northern York Polar Bears (1-2)
When: Today, 7:30
Series: Northern leads, 8-1.
Last meeting: 2004 - Northern, 52-28.
Last week: The Blue Devils downed Waynesboro, 28-21. ... The Polar Bears defeated Mechanicsburg, 22-0.
Notes: Greencastle's only win in the series came via an 18-0 shutout in 1998. Otherwise, Northern has averaged nearly 37 points a win. ... Ty Thrush hauled in a 61-yard TD pass and Northern Chad Halterman had a 68-yard punt return and 42-yard interception return for touchdowns in the rain last week for Northern.
Hun School Raiders (1-0) at No. 6 Mercersburg Blue Storm (3-0)
When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
Series: Hun School leads, 3-2.
Last meeting: 2004 - Hun School, 41-7.
Last week: Hun defeated Worcester Academy, 7-0. ... Mercersburg beat St. Albans (D.C.), 21-20.
Notes: Hun School has won the last three meetings ... Mercersburg won in 2000 and 2001. ... Hun RB Myron Rolle, who has signed to pay at Florida State, ran for 142 yards and scored the lone TD with 1:30 to play for Hun. ... In the last three games, Hun has averaged nearly 44 points a game. ... The Blue Storm came up big on defense to hold off a late surge by St. Albans. ... Tyler Newberry passed for 116 yards and Jarvis Hodge ran for 100 yards. ... Mercersburg Academy's 3-0 start is its best start since 2000 when the Blue Storm started 5-0.
North Hagerstown Hubs (1-1) at Thomas Johnson Patriots (1-1)
When: Today, 7 p.m.
Series: Thomas Johnson leads, 12-9.
Last meeting: 1986 Thomas Johnson, 52-29.
Last week: The Hubs lost to No. 7 Frederick, 28-3. The Patriots beat Bel Air, 28-20.
