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CADIZ -- Claymont finished 3-7 in 2022 and lost the services of both its starting quarterback and running back to graduation.
Harrison Central finished 6-5, qualified for the playoffs and returns a host of key components.
Last year's mutual season opener? Harrison won at Claymont, 36-18. Does that mean Huskies' coach Anthony
Hayes is expecting an easy time come kickoff Friday night? Not a chance. Hayes watched the 2023 Mustangs twice on film and once in person during a scrimmage against River View.
Does Claymont look a time coming off a losing season still searching for an identity?
"No they don't," Hayes admitted. "At this point, we all think we're pretty good and you don't really know until you strap it on, but they look like a good team.
"And it's always a good game with us and them because of proximity and the rivalry."
One thing Hayes noticed is the replacement for Graydon Mooneyham looked comfortable during the River View scrimmage, not the deer in the headlights expression that might be expected of a green quarterback.
That'll be key as Claymont does return a host of athletic weapons, led by senior receivers Brody Moreland and Alec Terakedis. Moreland finished with 599 yards and eight TDs as a junior and is primed for a breakout season while Terakedis flexed his speed last spring at the Ohio state track championships, placing in the 200-meter-dash.
"He seemed very comfortable to me," Hayes said. "Coach (Eric) Henry and his staff have done a good job getting him acclimated to what they do.
"I think he prefers to get on the edge as he's a natural athlete, but he throws a nice football. What I saw on film, he's extremely accurate and likes to get on the perimeter which can present some problems."
A mobile quarterback who is adept at throwing on the move, coupled with speed in abundance across the board means Harrison will need to hold contain and be able to tackle in space to prevent any big plays.
The Huskies, meanwhile, will look to a balanced offensive attack led by veteran quarterback Hayden Cassidy and running back Mykel Quito.
Both had impressive starts to the season in 2022 vs. the Mustangs. Cassidy threw for 201 yards on a mere 5 of 8 passing while Quito rumbled for 127 yards and two scores on 25 carries as Hayes and company elected to keep the chains moving via the run game.
The two teams were tied 6-6 after the first quarter before Harrison outscored the home team 30-6 during the middle two quarters.
Harrison's returning experience both in the skill positions and up front -- the Huskies have four of five starters back -- on paper gives the Huskies the advantage. Games are won on the field however, and Hayes noted that unlike his team, Claymont doesn't feature many two-way players.
What that means as the game wears on is the fresher set of legs will be coming off the visitors' sideline.
"They play more players now (than last year)," Hayes noted. "They don't play a lot of people both ways, so they will be fresh throughout. They have excellent numbers, probably 50-52 kids, and what really stood out is just how confident they looked on both sides of the ball."