CADIZ — Friday’s road meeting with Malvern did not go the way Harrison Central hoped.

The Huskies struck first, when Beau Rinkes tackled a Hornets carrier in the end zone for a safety.

Later, the Huskies led 15-14 and after stopping Malvern’s offense on third down, were set to receive a punt near midfield with a chance to go up more.

But fate had other plans.

A Malvern player stripped Harrison’s punt returner of the ball and raced roughly 40 yards to paydirt.

That put the hosts up for good en route to a 34-15 defeat.

It’s the Huskies third in a row with a home date with Union Local (1-2) set for Friday.

Brady Hyre threw for 120 yards with one TD, a 25-yard hookup with tight end Jayse Hython, along with one interception.

The team’s run game, however, couldn’t get going, amassing just one yard. Getting the ground game going has been a struggle the last few weeks and Harrison will need a little more balance if it hopes to ring that victory bell for the first time in 2025.

There are some hopeful statistics. Harrison may be 0-3, but its previous opponents all sports 2-1 records. Despite a pass heavy offense, at least in terms of yardage accumulated, the Huskies have managed to stick around for most of its three games.

Turnovers and bad luck have played their part, but head coach Anthony Hayes will put his charges through their paces and have them ready for Friday.

What they will likely need to stop is the Jets’ do everything back Brody Perzanowski.

In UL’s 23-15 loss to Indian Creek in Wintersville, Perzanowski ran for 157 yards and a TD on 18 carries, while also serving as Colby Carpenter’s most favored target week in and out, coming out of the backfield.

Carpenter only managed 27 yards passing on 5-of-14 attempts, with a TD and two interceptions as the Jets offense totaled 186 yards on 46 plays combined.

Creek, meanwhile, had success through the air, an encouraging sign for Harrison’s passing attack. Redskins quarterback Ian Starkey threw for 188 yards and a TD while also rushing for 91 yards on 12 carries.

The opportunity is there for good numbers in the passing game, but you can bet Hayes and his coaching staff will be looking for a little more balance and production out of the Huskies’ rushing attack.

UL has kept the score close in both of its losses, including a 25-19 defeat against Wheeling Central a week removed from its season-opening win against winless Warren JFK (42-12).

Both teams will be thirsting for a win. Last season UL rolled 49-13 in Morristown when the Jets overall roster featured more weapons and experience.