Can Stoughton High Football Make it Two in a Row vs. Mansfield? Or Will Hornets Get Revenge?

With the Stoughton High football team's 27-7 win over Pembroke last Friday to improve to 3-0 on the season, Stoughton Patch will look at some key factors contributing to the win and look ahead to this Friday's contest, a home tilt against Hockomock League foe Mansfield (2-1) at 7 p.m.

1. Turnovers - The Black Knights continue to take good care of the football only coughing up the football once in each game in the three games so far this young season, for a total of three giveaways. A factor that has haunted the Knights in season's pasts, is one that is giving the Knights an advantage every time out on the field so far in 2012. Meanwhile, on defense, Stoughton has forced 12 turnovers through three games (7 interceptions, 5 fumble recoveries).

2. Frankie Morris - The senior fullback has shown up to play this season for Stoughton. Morris has scored a touchdown every game this season and leads the team with four scores in three games. Morris continues to pick up the tough yards on third down and move the chains for Stoughton. The Knights will continue to look for a big contribution from Morris every week.

3. Addition of Marcus Middleton - The three-headed backfield of Frankie Morris, Malachi Baugh and Aaron Mack has just became a four-headed monster with the addition of senior Marcus Middleton, who appeared in his first game last week against Pembroke. Middleton is a threat both running and catching the ball. Middleton has huge play potential in him is a threat to break a couple tackles or go up and catch the long ball. Last week against Pemboke he had a 39-yard run and a 34-yard reception, finishing with 65 yards rushing overall. For good measure, Middleton recorded an interception of defense too.

4. Can Stoughton repeat the magic against Mansfield? - Last year Stoughton pulled the upset of the year (at least in the Hockomock league) beating Mansfield on the road, 8-0. It was a rainy Friday night in Mansfield and Stoughton took advantage of a number of Hornet miscues, while kicking two field goals and recording a safety on defense en route to the win. Beating Mansfield is something that not many teams have been able to do - it was Stoughton's first win against Mansfield since 2000. The Knights will look to make it two in a row this Friday night.

Click on the links below to review coverage from last year's game:

• [VIDEO] Postgame Reaction From Stoughton High Football's Win Over Mansfield

5. Mansfield players to watch - Stoughton will have its hands full with Robert Rapoza who already has five rushing touchdowns on the year. In last week's game against Dracut, Rapoza had 248 yards rushing, three touchdowns and added another touchdown receiving. Quarterback Kyle Wisnieski has four passing touchdowns with two of them being to receiver Mike Hershman.

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Click here to read a full recap of the Stoughton/Pembroke game

Click here to read a recap of Mansfield's last game

Can't make it to Friday's game vs. Mansfield? You can follow all the action right on Stoughton Patch with our live blog.

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Stoughton Patch editor Jeffrey Pickette contributed reporting.