The Friday Tailgate

At the end of the day on Saturday, the Centennial Conference football championship race will have either (1) one team atop the standings at 6-1 and three others at 5-2; (2) two teams with 6-1 CC marks and two more at 5-2; (3) two at 6-1 and one at 5-2. It is possible that we will have an outright champion for the fifth straight season. It is plausible that we could have a four-way tie for the title, reminiscent of the infamous 2004 five-way deadlock for the championship. It also harkens back to 1995, when Dickinson, F&M and Hopkins all entered the penultimate weekend of the season with 4-1 CC marks.

Franklin & Marshall at Johns Hopkins
Audio: godiplomats.com. Video: hopkinssports.com. Live Stats: Yes.
It is the 61st meeting between the Diplomats (5-1 CC, 7-1) and the Blue Jays (5-1, 6-2) in a series that began in 1912. F&M holds a 34-24-2 lead in the series and has an 18-11-2 mark at Homewood Field. Last season, Hopkins picked off a potential game-winning two-point conversion pass in the waning moments of the final period to secure a 26-25 win in Lancaster. The Diplomats, Blue Jays and Dickinson are tied for first place in the CC. Dickinson edged F&M with a last-second field goal, while Johns Hopkins knocked off Dickinson. F&M needs to win out with a Dickinson loss to either Juniata or Ursinus to get the automatic NCAA bid. A Hopkins win would leave the Jays in charge of their own fate heading into the season’s final game at McDaniel. The last time that these two teams when tied for first place was 1995. In that contest Diplomat RB Matt Eisenberg capped a long drive with a 1-yard plunge with :17 left for a 27-22 F&M win. Last week, Diplomat QB John Harrison threw for a school-record 404 yards vs. McDaniel, setting program marks for completions, yards and TDs in a season. Hopkins RB Andrew Kase ran for 146 yards and four touchdowns in the first half of the win at Juniata. Both shared the Centennial Offensive Player of the Week award. Franklin & Marshall is 31-27-2 all-time when playing in the Free State and 10-10 in its last 20 trips across the Mason-Dixon line. The Johns Hopkins SAAC is running a program called "Reuse a Shoe" at this week's game. Fans are encouraged to bring their old sneakers and running shoes to donate. The recycled shoes will be used to build basketball courts, tennis courts and tracks around the country.

Juniata at Dickinson
Audio: WDCV-FM 88.3. Video: No. Live Stats: No.
The Red Devils (5-1, 7-1) and the Eagles (1-6, 1-8) meet for the 21st time with Dickinson holding a 12-8 series advantage, including six straight victories. Juniata's last win was a 26-9 triumph at Biddle Field in 2002. This is the second night game for Dickinson at Biddle Field. Last year, the Red Devils defeated Franklin & Marshall, 34-20, in Dickinson's 1,000th all-time game and 100th meeting with the Dips. Last week, Dickinson was held to its lowest offensive output of the season (326 yards) but rallied for 17 fourth-quarter points to defeat Muhlenberg. PK Gordon Craig booted a 41-yard FG with :07 left for the game-winning points. It was the third game-winning kick of his career. Dickinson ranks 22nd nationally in turnover margin (+10). Juniata brings down the curtain on its season on Friday night. RB Derek Kramer leads the Eagles with 419 rushing yards. The Eagles are looking for their second road win of the season, something they have not done since 2003.

Muhlenberg at Ursinus
Audio: Ursinus Sports Network. Video: No. Live Stats: Yes.
The Mules (1-5, 2-6) and the Bears (4-2, 4-4) meet for the 73rd time in a series that began in 1900. Muhlenberg has won nine straight in the series to forge a 42-23-7 advantage. Ursinus' last victory was a 35-23 triumph in Allentown in 1999, while its last win in Collegeville came in 1996 (13-7, OT). Mule RB J.T. Merklinger had its first 100-yard game of his career last week vs. Dickinson, running for 101 yards. The defense held the Devils to their lowest offensive production of the season (326 yards). PK Michael Katz booted three FGs (29, 32 and 37 yards). He shares the CC lead with eight three-pointers. Ursinus is still in the CC championship chase, but needs wins against Muhlenberg and Dickinson, along with a little help, to get a share of its first title since 1996. QB Justin Decristofaro has thrown for 1,773 yards this year and needs 227 to become the first Bear to reach 2,000 for a season since Frank Vecchio in 1999. For the second straight week, KR Al Desiderio returned a kick for a touchdown, scampering 90 yards with a punt for a score vs. Moravian. He leads the Centennial in all-purpose yards (1,200). PK Keith Baker booted a career-long 42-yard field goal vs. the 'Hounds.

McDaniel at Gettysburg
Audio: WTTR-AM 1470. Video: gettysburgsports.com. Live Stats: Yes.
The Route 97 rivalry began in 1891 and is renewed for the 63rd time on Saturday. Gettysburg has won the last two meetings and holds a 45-16-1 series advantage. McDaniel has not won at the Battlefield since 2001 (55-7). Gettysburg ranks third in Division III in total offense, 17th in scoring offense, 23rd in passing offense and 25th in rushing offense. RB Jamel Mutunga has rushed for 822 yards and 12 TDs and needs 178 yards to become Gettysburg's 17th 1,000-yard back. QB Matt Flynn can become the Centennial's all-time leader in total offense with 70 yards in his final two games. McDaniel QB Tom Massucci became just the fifth different Terror passer to throw for over 1,500 yards in a season. Freshman C.J. Billera shares the team lead in all-purpose yards with 829. He had a career-best 110 receiving yards last week vs. F&M. The defense is sixth in Division III with 29 sacks. The Terror is 1-13 over its last 14 Centennial road games.