A closer look: Pennsbury vs. Abington

Abington might be without standout defensive end Bryan Osei when it faces run-happy Pennsbury in a Suburban One League National Conference football showdown Friday night.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Osei, a Temple recruit who doubles as an offensive tackle, has been sidelined with an ankle injury. He missed last week's 48-12 conference win over Harry S Truman.

"We're not sure if he's going to play," Abington coach Tim Sorber said Wednesday. "Right now, it doesn't look good."

The matchup between the Falcons (5-1 overall, 3-0 conference) and host Ghosts (6-0, 3-0) is set for 7 o'clock at Stephen A. Schwarzman Stadium.

Here is a closer look at the game:

Rankings. Pennsbury, which has won five straight since losing its season opener at Easton, is ranked No. 9 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer. Abington is No. 3.

Last year. In Week 7, Abington eked out a 14-13 win at Falcon Field.

Ground and pound. The Falcons' wing-T offense is sparked by fullback Daquan Mack, halfbacks Adam Lewis and Chuck Snorweah, and quarterback Bruce Campbell.

Plan B. If Osei can't play, the Ghosts would move Lawrence Jarrett from guard to tackle and insert sophomore Andrew Sykes in Jarrett's vacated spot. On defense, junior Dustyn Collins would take Osei's spot at end.

Two QBs. Shawn Pepper, who opened the season as Pennsbury's first-string signal-caller, sees spot duty at QB. He is a regular at outside linebacker.

Pass-catch duo. Abington QB Ken Cropper's primary target is wideout Josh Lee. Tight end Chris Ruhl and halfback Ray Schreiner are also options.

Key duel. When the Falcons have the ball, 6-6, 310-pound center and Penn State recruit J.J. Denman will be matched against 6-0, 210-pound nose guard Ryan Epps.

Injury update. Abington outside linebacker Tom Kennedy practiced Wednesday for the first time since he suffered a left-knee injury in Week 4 vs. Neshaminy.

Up front. In addition to Denman, Pennsbury's offensive line includes guards Jake Andrassy (6-3, 205) and Dylan Pepper (6-5, 270), and tight end Dalton Zimmerman.

Stingy. Abington's defense, yielding 12.8 points per game, has been headed by Osei, Epps, end Ryan Phillips, middle linebacker Myles Grasty, and cornerback Lee (four interceptions).

Improving. Since the 24-0 loss to Easton, Pennsbury's 3-4 defense has allowed 10.2 points a game. The leaders are nose guard Luke Johnson, end Shane Letukas, and inside linebackers Tommy Hose and Charlie Fisher.

Pick: Abington, 26-14.