Small School Spotlight Johns Hopkins Vs Salisbury
Lauren Roberts/ Salisbury Daily Times
Two of Maryland’s all-time powerhouses clash as the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays come across the Bay Bridge to play the Salisbury Seagulls.
Although these teams are both in state they haven’t met that often. This will be the fourth matchup between the two squads with the last of which coming in the 2021 playoffs where Johns Hopkins won 45-20.
This is Salisbury’s home opener. They have started their season 1-1 and look to get back in the win collum and back in the top 25 after taking a 17-29 loss at #25 Muhlenberg last week.
Salisbury:
On offense, the Seagulls look to run the ball and run the ball a lot as in both of their first two games they’ve run the ball more than they’ve passed it. What’s interesting about Salisbury is they don’t have just one bell-cow running back they run the ball through everybody. In the past two games, Salisbury has given at least one carry to at least seven players to run the ball.
The Seagull defense on the other hand has to step up this week if they want to win on Saturday. In week one Vs Washington and Lee although they only allowed seven points they gave up 338. 270 of which came on the ground. In week two (25)Mhulenberg put up 29 points and 438 yards of total offense.
Johns Hopkins:
Johns Hopkins Comes in as the number 13 team in the country with a 2-0 record. The Blue Jays come into this game with a lot of momentum after a 27-17 victory over D3 perennial powerhouse Ithaca in week one and a 20-14 win over Christopher Newport.
The Hopkins offense is led by quarterback Bay Harvey and he can get the job done through the air and on the ground. Harvey has 486 yards passing, 79 yards rushing, and six total touchdowns in the first two weeks. His top two receivers are Josh Polce and Cole Crotty who both have at least 140 yards receiving. The Blue Jays continue their balanced attack with their running back tandem of Geoff Schroeder and Uggla Spencer.
The Hopkins defense is led by All-American defensive end Luke Schuermann who already has 2 sacks on the season. This defense may give up a lot of yards but they do not give up points. In week one allowed 326 yards but only 17 points vs. Ithaca and allowed 320 yards and 14 points to Christopher Newport.
Prediction:
Both teams put up similar points per game on offense and have bend but don’t break defenses. Salisbury leads this matchup all time 2-1. My prediction for this game is that Johns Hopkins wins 21-23 and ties the all-time matchup between the two teams.
