I don't expect to see Indy's new QB throw more than 10 or 15 passes in this game, so his experience is irrelevant. Hardin is going to line up behind his new oline and run right at MC. If they can extend some drives in doing so, then this will be a game. If not, well, not so much.
Either way, though, don't expect to see MC light up the scoreboard in this one. Butler - who led the state in scoring last year in the 4A ranks - couldn't crack 30 against the Patriot D. SEVEN different teams couldn't score AT ALL against the Patriot D last year. They led the state is scoring average for a reason, and it sure wasn't because they were in the habit of giving up 49 points on the scoreboard. In fact, Mallard Creek is known for their defensive prowess...but they've fielded a defense as good as that Patriot defense (9.8 pts/game) exactly twice in their history (2012...7.5 pts/game and 2010...8.9 pts/game). Butler has only fielded one defense that good (2012...8.5 pts/game). And neither team has ever posted seven shutouts in a season before like Indy did.
If Mallard Creek cracks 30 points in this one, I'll be seriously impressed. It will be more than any other offense has done in the last 2 years, and to predict that MC will score 49 is disrespecting and insulting the state's best defense for no good reason whatsoever (7-on-7 results don't qualify as a good reason).
Here are two other fun trivia facts for those of you who haven't been paying attention...the last time Mallard Creek scored more than 28 points in a season opener was way back in 2009. And they've NEVER scored more than 28 in any game they've ever played at Memorial Stadium.