FROSTBURG: At the Coal Mine at Miners Stadium, Mountain Ridge has won 28 games in the past five arduous years before suffering a loss. When undefeated Frankfort (4-0) travels to Frostburg to play a Mountain Ridge (3-1) team that has defeated it seven times in a row, that run will be put to the test.
The much awaited local event is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. They have a 3-1 lead. In all three facets of the game, they are extremely well-coached, according to head coach Kevin Whiteman of Frankfort. Since 2019, we haven’t been able to defeat them. The children are enthused.
Struggling through injuries
It’s a crucial match for both groups. We’re heading into the playoffs with a good outlook. They are engaged in combat for the same goal. Coming off a defeat, Mountain Ridge takes on Frankfort for the first time in ten years. It won’t get any easier tonight for the Miners, who struggled through injuries and uncharacteristic errors in a 28-23 loss at Frederick last Friday.
Frankfort enters Frostburg having outscored its previous four opponents 180-42, demonstrating that its highly anticipated offensive line and stable of backs live up to the hype from the start of the season.
The Falcons are attempting to make history at Miners Stadium by being the first visiting team to win since Northern did so on October 18, 2019, with a 33-14 victory. The series has been tightest since before the COVID-19 epidemic, with last year’s 10-point victory against Mountain Ridge being the closest since then.
The Miners have outscored the Falcons 108-27 over that period. Frankfort has no idea who the opposing team’s quarterback will be. Due to a sprained ligament and bone bruise, Cobe Penick has not been able to play since the first half of the match versus Calais. In the game and a half he played, he rushed for one score and completed four passes for touchdowns.
Penick has taken part in drills all week, and according to Shipe, he was reassessed on Thursday night and Friday morning to determine whether and to what degree he can play. Carter Clites, a sophomore, has been a strong alternative if he is unable to play. He has completed 46 of 70 throws for 546 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Best outside weapon
Eli Sibley, who has caught 22 receptions for 298 yards and eight touchdowns overall, is his best outside weapon. Lead by All-Area defensive back Jacob Nething, who recorded six interceptions in the previous campaign, Frankfort’s secondary is also formidable. Nething and Keiton Nester each had two as of 2024.
They block for a backfield that’s averaging 313.3 rushing yards per game, paced by Julian Pattison with 34 carries for 360 yards and six touchdowns. Carder Shanholtz has 307 yards and four scores, and Blake Jacobs adds 214 and five TDs.
They provide blocking for a backfield led by Julian Pattison, who has 34 carries for 360 yards and six touchdowns, and averages 313.3 running yards per game. With 214 yards and five touchdowns, Blake Jacobs adds to Carder Shanholtz’s 307 yards and four scores. Not helping matters is the fact that Mountain Ridge has struggled to stop the run the last two weeks, surrendering 318 yards to Frederick and 421 yards to Allegany the week before.
Two of the best kickers in the region are on both teams. Tyler Cook of Mountain Ridge has received offers from several colleges, one of which is from Division 1 St. Francis. With a long of 43, he has made 3 of 5 field goals and 14 of 15 PATs. Rhett Sensabaugh of Frankfort is 2 for 2 and 18 for 18 on extra points.