Skip to main content

H.S. FOOTBALL: Chambersburg to face strong RB in State College's Jordan Mishler


A week ago Chambersburg's football team took on a big challenge against the Central Dauphin defense, particularly its defensive line.

That didn't go so well – the Rams eased to a 42-7 victory.

It's another week and a different challenge for the Trojans (0-4, 0-1 MPC) Friday night when they travel to State College for a Mid Penn Commonwealth Division tussle with the Little Lions (2-2, 1-0 MPC).

That challenge comes in a 5-foot-10, 190-pound package at running back for State College, Jordan Mishler.

All Mishler did last week was carry the ball 27 times, gain 210 yards and score five touchdowns in a 40-21 win over Carlisle.

"Mishler is a good back," Chambersburg coach Mark Saunders said. "We've seen some decent ones already, but Mishler just keeps on fighting for yards. He is relentless."

For the season, Mishler has gained 645 yards on 87 carries (7.4 yards per attempt) and has scored nine times.

By contrast, the Trojan team has rushed 114 times and gained 290 yards (which includes sacks) for an average of 2.5 per carry.

Also for the Little Lions, quarterback Tyler Snyder has connected on fewer than 50 percent of his throws (36-for-78), but has picked up 623 yards and four touchdowns against five interceptions. His top receivers are Brett Graham (14-213, 1 TD) and Kellin Valentine (9-116, 1).

Saunders said, "State College has a much bigger line than usual, too. We couldn't handle a big and quick line last week; maybe we can do better against a big and not-as-quick line this week."

Last week against Carlisle, the Little Lions give up some passing yards to Herd quarterback Eric Davis, who hit on 23 of 33 passes for 262 yards and a score. But he did get picked off twice.

"Carlisle is pretty decent on offense," Saunders said, "but State College does some things we hope we can take advantage of. They're maybe a little young in the secondary."

It could be either Kaden Hoover or Hunter Leedy doing the quarterbacking for Chambersburg this week. Hoover started last week and hit on 2 of 5 passes for 20 yards and a pick, before dropping two shotgun snaps and getting sacked. Leedy came in and was 6 of 10 for 68 yards and a touchdown.

NOTES >> Joshua Ruffner (35) and Pete Haffner (33) are the Little Lions' top tacklers ... Mishler gained 107 yards against the Trojans last year ... For Chambersburg, Sean Vessah leads in tackles with 29.5, Josh Honorat has 23.5, Warren Lee has 22 and Myles Braxton and Griffin Leedy have 21 each ... Braxton also has six QB pressures.