GARDINER — Prior to this past weekend’s game at Brewer, Gardiner Area High School football coach Matt Burgess noted there were still a number of games remaining to sort out the tangled playoff race in Pine Tree Conference B.

Well, this is one of them.

The Tigers will host Mt. Blue Friday in a battle between 2-3 teams that will likely have major playoff implications when the regular season ends in a few weeks.

Gardiner has gotten itself into the playoff mix behind a strong defense that is allowing only 13 points per game over the past three weeks. Mt. Blue, meanwhile, has shown at times this season that it can be dangerous on both sides of the ball.

Here’s a look at the matchup:

Last season: Mt. Blue 41, Gardiner 0

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Gardiner players to watch: TB Treavon Horton, CB/TB Tyler Caron, QB Eli Kropp, TE/OLB Jake Truman, ILB Adrian Heath, S Hunter Russell, OL/DL Andrew Doody-Veilleux, RB Wyatt Blair.

Mt. Blue players to watch: RB/DB Alex Gilbert, QB Ryan Pratt, DT Bubba Harris, WR/DB Nate Pratt-Holt, T Kody Vining.

Gardiner coach Matt Burgess on Mt. Blue: “They’re doing a lot of different things offensively, so we need to play some real good defense. Hopefully, we’ll be able to make some more big plays this week.”

Coach Jim Aylward on Gardiner: “They’re an improving team. Everyone is a challenge for us. Our league is a good league and they’re a team — just like they view us — we have to get ahead of.”

Three keys for Gardiner:

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• Clean sheet. The Tigers have had some trouble putting points on the board this season, so any self-inflicted wounds will only further hamper Gardiner. The Tigers will need to be turnover-free and penalty-free to be successful.

• A-D-V. Andrew Doody-Veilleux has been one of the Tigers’ best performers on defense this season, but will encounter some significant size from the Cougars. If he can continue to be disruptive, Gardiner should be in good shape.

• Score. Sounds simple, but the Tigers have been held to just a single touchdown in three of their five games this season.

Three keys for Mt. Blue:

• Make ’em earn it. Given Gardiner’s struggles on offense this season, allowing easy scores to the Tigers is a recipe for disaster. Limit the big plays and force Gardiner to have to sustain long drives.

• Who’s got Truman? The Tigers’ big tight end is one of the top athletes on his team and a major threat in the receiving game. Marking him when he goes out on passing plays is a must.

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• Be physical. Mt. Blue will have a size advantage up front when it takes the field tonight and will be best served to use it. Gardiner utilizes a number of two-way players, so a run-heavy gameplan could give the Cougars an advantage as the game progresses.

Evan Crawley — 621-5640

ecrawley@mainetoday.com

Twitter: @Evan_Crawley


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