Make no mistake about it, there’s no fun in losing.
When your team is constantly the underdog and the losses begin to pile up, it’s hard to find the motivation to take the field again the next day.
But if there’s one thing keeping two 0-4 teams — North Hagerstown and Smithsburg — going this week, it’s the hope and belief that a win is right around the corner.
This winning dream will finally come true for one of these two teams, when the Hubs visit the Leopards on Friday to play in our Game of the Week. Expect energy in the air as both of these squads scrap for their chance to get over the hump.
In the weeks and months to come throughout the high school sports season, we plan on spotlighting multiple teams and sports with our Game of the Week. Any big upcoming games we should know about? Send suggestions to Andy Sandrik via email at [email protected].
North Hagerstown at Smithsburg
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m., at Smithsburg
Records: North Hagerstown and Smithsburg both enter this game at 0-4.
Last game: The Hubs were topped 64-0 by Spring Mills last week, while the Leopards were defeated 34-0 by Brunswick.
Last meeting: North Hagerstown clipped Smithsburg by a 44-24 score in last year’s game.
Meet the Hubs: Nathan Butts is looking for his first win as head coach at North Hagerstown, and this game serves as the best opportunity to date for his team to get the job done. The Hubs have played better than their record indicates, and that’s reflected in the stats, which reveal a number of standout performers. North Hagerstown has a couple of capable running backs in James Jackson Jr. (34 carries, 246 yards, 3 TDs) and Ty’Qwell Fauntleroy (32-92-2), as well as a home-run threat of a wide receiver in Khalil Peggues (16-245-1). Calling the signals for the Hubs is 6-foot, 151-pound QB Logan Hoffman, who’s completed 29 of 61 passes for 413 yards and a TD. North Hagerstown’s defensive unit is highlighted by its linebacking corps, which includes the likes of Damean Thomas (49 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks), Benjamin DiStefano (32 tackles, 2 tackles for loss), Bryant Noubissie (30 tackles, 1 interception), Blake Custer (30 tackles, 2 tackles for loss), and Toni Abonge (20 tackles, 3 tackles for loss). The Hubs have the edge in firepower, but they’ll need to cleanly execute against a Smithsburg team that is eager to nail down an elusive win in front of the home crowd.
Meet the Leopards: It’s been a rough go in recent weeks for David Miller’s Smithsburg squad, but the Leopards have to like their chances of snapping an eight-game losing streak that dates back to last season. To make that vision a reality, Smithsburg will have to overcome a North Hagerstown team it hasn’t beaten since 2015. First order of business for the Leopards will be getting points on the board for the first time since Sept. 13 in a 34-12 loss to Williamsport. Smithsburg will be counting on senior QB Lucas McFarland, who has completed 16 of 53 passes for 199 yards and a TD, as well as his backfield mate Vinny Roncone, who has logged 24 carries for 111 yards and a TD. The Hubs would be wise to keep an eye on Zac Smith, a player who knows how to both run (8 carries, 71 yards) and catch (5 receptions, 36 yards, 1 TD) the football. Defensively, Smithsburg is anchored by Tyler Ward (34 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception), Rittenhouse Shuster (20 tackles, 0.5 sacks), Smith (18 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception), Hunter Drill (17 tackles, 4 tackles for loss), and Chase Hill (15 tackles, 2 tackles for loss). Yes, the Leopards have a chance to stay competitive in this game, but to do so they’ll need to sharpen up in the turnover department, where they’ve given up three fumbles and 11 interceptions this fall.
Sandrik’s pick: Hubs by 14.
