Data: 7 p.m. today at Franklin Regional High School, Murrysville.
Coaches: Matt Miller, second year at McKeesport. Greg Botta, 24th year at Franklin Regional.
Last meeting: McKeesport won, 14-7, in last season’s opener.
History: After conference realignment, McKeesport and Franklin Regional, former Quad East rivals, both found themselves in the Class 5A Big East.
Quick hits: Neither team scheduled a Week Zero game, so this game is the season opener for both teams. McKeesport’s triple-option offense will be led by John Harper, who moved from wingback to quarterback this season; Franklin Regional is led by Adam Rudzinski, who started four games last year. Both teams made last year’s playoffs, with McKeesport losing in the WPIAL 5A championship, 38-37, to West Allegheny and Franklin Regional falling to Woodland Hills in the 5A quarterfinals, 17-3. McKeesport’s Layton Jordan, who rushed for 670 yards last year, will look to dominate on the ground, along with Carlinos Acie, who rushed for 662 yards. Franklin Regional lost 27 seniors after last season and will look to center/middle linebacker Bryce Lauer as a leader. Last season, McKeesport scored 35.5 points on offense and allowed 20.5 points on defense, on average, while Franklin Regional scored 25 points on offense and allowed 15.6 points on defense per game.
Flexbone Association 
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