Nanticoke (3-5) at GAR (5-3)

7 p.m.

Saturday

 

The Coaches: Nanticoke's Ron Bruza (10-17, 3rd year); GAR's Paul Wiedlich Jr. (27-7, 3rd year)

Last Meeting: GAR 68-0 in 2011

All-Time Series: GAR leads 40-31-6

Quick Fact: GAR has won last nine meetings, allowing just 37 points during that streak.

Scouting Nanticoke: The Trojans' 46-14 loss to Lake-Lehman last Friday had a familiar ring to it. They hung in for a half, trailing 17-7 at the break, before the opponent seized control.

Nanticoke has struggled versus the run against the top Division 2A-A teams, allowing 1,034 yards against Lehman, Wyoming Area and Northwest. The offense did little against Lehman, with one TD coming on Pat Hempel's second kickoff return touchdown of the season.

Scouting GAR: The Grenadiers went into last Friday tied for first in the District 2 Class 2A standings. They exited in fourth place after a 48-15 loss to Wyoming Area.

While GAR isn't in real danger of missing the four-team district tournament, it certainly needs to shake off last Friday's disaster. Special teams allowed two punt return TDs and gave up a safety on a bad punt snap. The offense did little other than RB Rich Sickler's 62-yard scoring run. And the defense let Wyoming Area receivers run wide open at times.

What To Expect: GAR will bounce back in a big way, although Nanticoke has played some very good teams tough for awhile.

-- John Erzar