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H.S. FOOTBALL: Game of the Week: Questions to be answered when Chambersburg hosts Greencastle


CHAMBERSBURG >> The preseason has been filled with questions.

Will Chambersburg be able to overcome a 1-9 record in 2014?

Will Greencastle-Antrim improve with the return of several players whose seasons last year were cut short due to injury?

Who will emerge as the starting quarterback for the Trojans?

Have the Blue Devils improved a dreary secondary defense?

Those questions may not be entirely solved Friday night, but the season opener is always a good place to start. Trojan Stadium will host a coveted Franklin County rivalry when Chambersburg takes on Greencastle in the Game of the Week.

"The kids are definitely anxious to get started," Blue Devils coach Chuck Tinninis said. "There's a couple things in play here. Chambersburg is a rivalry for us. Also, we get to go and play in one of the nicest stadiums in the state. We'll be in front of a great crowd. It's pretty much what high school football is all about."

One of those above questions can be answered – at least for now. Kaden Hoover will start at quarterback for Chambersburg.

"It was a close battle (with Hunter Leedy)," Trojan coach Mark Saunders said. "I think we're just going to go game-by-game and see who we get the most productivity from. Kaden has a bit more athletic ability, so he can turn a bad situation into some positive yardage.

"Hunter is more of a drop-back passer type guy, so there are a few more things we can do with Kaden. He's a sophomore, so he might go through some growing pains, and there's a chance we'll play two quarterbacks, at least early on."

Surrounding Hoover should be a solid core of running backs. Darius Johnson returns after leading the Trojans on the ground last year. In the season opener last year, Johnson had 46 yards on the ground to go along with two catches for 53 yards against the Blue Devils. Saunders is also excited about the additions of Warren Lee and Sean Vessah to help the offensive game.

"Warren Lee is going to be a pretty dynamic type of kid," Saunders said. "He brings that chip-on-his-shoulder attitude. Sean Vessah is a Chambersburg kid, but was at Mercersburg (Academy). He's very athletic, and he's going to improve from week to week."

Chambersburg is putting a lot of stock in Week 1, especially after suffering a 34-10 defeat against a Blue Devil team that was the underdog last year. And Greencastle is expecting a tougher fight.

"I think Chambersburg is a very capable team, and it's an evenly-matched game," Tinninis said. "They're big up front, and they've got some athletes. We've got a big challenge ahead of us. It's a new year and two new teams, so that's why we show up and play on Friday night."

In addition to several key players returning from injuries, the Blue Devils will also be able to rely on Sam Sprague, who injured his knee during basketball season. He was cleared to play on Friday, and he'll be a dual threat for G-A. Last year, Sprague finished with 442 rushing yards, 181 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

BLUE DEVILS-TROJANS AT A GLANCE

Game data: Greencastle-Antrim Blue Devils at Chambersburg Trojans ... Friday, 7 p.m. at Trojan Stadium ... Non-league game.

Media: Follow @liziarbogast and @ShawnCMichael on Twitter for live updates from the game ... Live stream available on GameTimePA.com and www.midpennbroadcasting.com.

Teams: Greencastle had a solid start to last year's season and finished 6-4 overall ... The Trojans are coming off a 1-9 season and are looking to get off to a strong start.

Series: Chambersburg leads the series 4-2, but the Blue Devils came out on top in 2014 by a dominating score of 34-10.

P.O. pick: Greencastle by 10.

To view all other area Week 1 previews, visit GameTimePA.com.