3 Things look to for: Hampton vs Armstrong
Tagged under: District 7, Gameday Hub, News
Greg Hillman | September 3, 2026
ALLISON PARK, PA– Hampton and Armstrong are set to meet for the 10th time in their schools’ history on Friday night. Hampton currently leads the all-time series five games to four. However, Armstrong has won the last two matchups and three of the last four. Not to mention, Armstrong has won three of five games at Fridley Field. So, before kickoff on Friday, here are three things to look for between the Talbots and the River Hawks.
- Borgo vs Olsen.
Both wide receivers had nice days in their season openers. Quinton Olsen had 11 receptions for 84 yards in the Armstrong loss. Heath Borgo, who had 92 receiving yards of his own last week, came up with two massive interceptions in Hampton’s victory. Both players will be the top weapon for each quarterback to go to on Friday night. Big chunk plays could be the difference in scoring or not scoring when it matters the most. Both receivers have length that they can use to their advantage. Something Hampton fans witnessed last week when Heath Borgo made a fine back shoulder catch over Roman Smith for a 28-yard gain.
In addition to height, both Olsen and Borgo are fast and have great agility. Both defenses will have to find a way to slow both of them down and limit the big gains. Each quarterback must get the ball into the hands of their best playmakers.
Speaking of quarterbacks…
- Oliver vs Reshoff.
The two gunslingers had opposite days in Week 0. Jaydon Oliver balled out last week against Independence. Oliver collected over 368 all-purpose yards and 3 touchdowns in a losing effort. He carried the ball 17 times and threw for 259 yards down in West Virginia. He was quick on his feet and was rewarded with a rushing touchdown of his own.
Andrew Reschoff, however, had a quieter start to his season. He only threw the ball nine times for 116 yards. At times, found himself on the run –whether it was designed or not—scrambling outside the pocket. And even when he did hang out in the pocket, he would find himself beneath a pile of white jerseys.
But Reschoff did make some good throws last week. Including this 48-yard connection with Heath Borgo.
Again, in fairness, that was Reschoff’s first competitive action in ten months. But the quarterback play will be a big part of who comes out on top in this game. Both Reschoff and Oliver will probably have to use their legs in this game. And both will try to show off their arms, no doubt. How successful they are in doing those things will rely on the men in front of them.
- The trenches.
Okay, with respect, Armstrong is a young team this side of Oliver and Olsen. Especially in the trenches. In fact, forty of the sixty-four players on Armstrong’s roster are underclassmen. And of the twenty-four listed linemen, seventeen of them are underclassmen.
“We need to get some experience on our offensive line. We have a relatively new group there and need to get them acclimated to the speed,” head coach Frank Fabian told Trib Total Media back in August.
Independence had their way up front last week against the Hawks. In fact, according to Max Preps, the Patriots recorded 12.5 tackles for loss last week.
Oliver was also hurried eight times by rushing Patriots, with three of his passes deflected at the line of scrimmage. Growing pains are expected with a young team. Something Hampton went through over the last couple of seasons.
With a young squad in the trenches, Hampton can take advantage to get to Oliver in the backfield.
Last week, Parker Valentine got Dan Gigler’s defense off and running with a safety to give Hampton a 2-0 lead after a lost fumble.
Both Valentine and Caden McGuire recorded six solo tackles, with McGuire recording two of the four Hampton sacks against Deer Lakes. Arie Vande Geest added five solo tackles himself. And as a collective unit, Hampton collected five tackles for loss in the win.
On the opposite side, Hampton’s O-line didn’t have the best day but also didn’t have the worst day either. Andrew Reschoff took some sacks, and at times the running backs found little to no gain on their carries. But the line did enough to help move the ball forward.
Just like on this 9-yard touchdown run by Jake Kennedy.
Protecting the backfield is a part of the game that both teams will have to improve upon as the season continues. For Armstrong, keeping Oliver protected long enough to keep him in the pocket to make throws could be a key to victory.
And the same could be said for Hampton; however, the Talbots will also need to make holes for Jake Kennedy and Decan Csellar. Aside from Oliver running 17 times last week, Armstrong’s running backs had a combined 7 carries for 13 yards. So, not much to show for the River Hawks’ running game. Will that change? We’ll see…
Armstrong and Hampton kick off from Fridley Field at 7:00 pm.
