Wilson and Doug Dahms crafted a good game plan two years ago to slow Gov. Mifflin running back Nick Singleton.
Few teams have been able to do that since the Bulldogs defeated the Mustangs 61-14 in the second game of the 2019 season. Even Dahms doubts that Bulldogs will be able to duplicate that defensive effort when the backyard rivals meet Friday night at 7 at Mifflin Stadium.
Wilson limited Singleton to 35 yards on nine carries during Singleton’s sophomore season. Last year he scorched the Bulldogs for 160 yards and four touchdowns, including a 68-yarder, on 19 carries
“I think they changed their offense to put him deep in the I inside of a Wing-T,” Dahms said, “and he just got a lot bigger, a lot stronger and a lot faster.”
Singleton, a Penn State recruit who many have ranked as the top high school running back in the country, opened the season in style on Saturday. He rushed 18 times for 287 yards and five touchdowns.
“As good as he was last year, he came back even better this year,” said Gov. Mifflin coach Jeff Lang. “He’s stronger and he’s faster. He’s only 17 years old and he’s continuing to get better.”
The Wilson at Gov. Mifflin game, with the Gurski-Linn Trophy at stake, highlights the Week 2 schedule that includes 10 games Friday night. The week kicked off Thursday night when Fleetwood hosted Annville-Cleona.
Singleton’s improvement is scary to a lot of coaches, including Dahms. Singleton has rushed for 4,267 career yards and has scored 77 touchdowns.
He helped Gov. Mifflin go undefeated during the regular season last year, win the District 3 Class 5A championship and advance to the PIAA semifinals.
“We got our hands full,” Dahms said. “I think they’re every bit as good as they were last year, maybe even better.”
Gov. Mifflin handed Wilson its only loss last season, a season-opening 48-7 thumping. The Bulldogs finished 6-1.
On Saturday, Wilson opened the 2021 season with a 27-21 win over perennial District 3 power Central Dauphin in a game that got Lang’s attention.
“They might not be as big as they have been in the past, but I was impressed with their speed,” Lang said. “I think it’s going to be a great game. We’ll have our work cut out for us.”
Gov. Mifflin entered the season with one major question mark with only one starter returning on the offensive line. But Dahms didn’t see that as problem as he watched film of Singleton and the Mustangs rolling to a 55-6 win over York.
“They looked pretty good,” Dahms said. “They’ve got good size. They’re not trying to do a lot but with a back like Singleton they don’t have to.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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