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MUSCATINE, Iowa – Coming off a gut-wrenching loss to Davenport West last Friday, the Muscatine football team has been surprisingly upbeat this week, head coach Tony Napierala said.

“It’s tough,” he said. “We’ve had a good week, though. It wears on you emotionally, but we’ve had a good week of practice and are ready to compete on Friday.”

The Muskies must be ready to compete, facing North Scott on the road with a chance to be a spoiler. If North Scott wins, it is all but assured of a spot in the 32-team playoff field.

The Lancers come in with a 4-3 record and are tied with Davenport Assumption, Davenport Central and Pleasant Valley for third place in the conference.

“They are very talented,” Napierala said. “They have a nice receiver, a very good quarterback and a nice running back. They are good, talented kids. We have our work cut out for us.”

North Scott coach Kevin Tippet expects both teams to come out and play hard.

“I know (Muscatine) runs multiple offense,” Tippet said. “They have an empty backfield, two different quarterbacks and do a lot of different things.

“Defensively, they have a lot of nice players on the field. They’ll blitz you from quite a lot of different angles.”

While no big changes are in the works for the Muskies, Napierala said that the team has been working on different plays.

“We’ll mix some things up,” Napierala said, “and try to execute better.”

North Scott quarterback Cody Manthe has completed 75 of 130 passes for 955 yards and 10 touchdowns. His primary receiver is Travis Anderson, who has caught 25 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns.

Aaron Huber is the Lancers’ top running back, carrying the ball 108 times for 638 yards and nine touchdowns.

Muscatine will play the remaining two games of the season without offensive linemen Zach Lutz and Ian Naber, who are out with injuries, according to Napierala.

He was undecided between Austin Barker and Garrett Young replacing Lutz at offensive guard.

Tippet, meanwhile, doesn’t anticipate any of his players missing Friday’s game.

“We’re a bit banged up,” Tippet said. “Everybody is by the eighth week, but we have players who will step up and make plays.”

Muscatine (1-6)

at North Scott (4-3)

- When: Sophomores at 4:45 p.m. Friday, varsity to follow between 7:15-7:30 p.m.

- Where: Eldridge (Lancer Stadium)

- Last week: Muscatine lost a tough game against Davenport West by failing to convert an extra point, 17-16, in overtime. North Scott ended a three-game slide by topping Davenport Assumption, 27-13, to win at home.

- Coaches: Muscatine, Tony Napierala, second year, 5-12; North Scott, Kevin Tippett, third year, 18-8.

- Last meeting: North Scott held onto the ball for the majority of the second half in handing the Muskies a 26-3 loss.

- Stat leaders:  Muscatine, Rushing — Tanner Bohling 55-226; Nick Garretson 54-132, 3 TDs. Passing — Paul Jindrich 57-111-13, 642 yards, 3 TDs; Garretson 31-59-4, 420 yards, TD. Receiving — Bohling 22-286; TJ Husar 22-227; Jeff Failor 14-183, 3 TDs. Defense — Mat Snider 40 solo tackles, 25 assists; Isaac Ales 33 solo tackles, 24 assists; Mitch Shelladay 17 solo tackles, 10 assists; Derick Minch 6 fumble recoveries; Jared Hetzler 2 interceptions. North Scott, Rushing — Aaron Huber 108-638, 9 TDs; Cody Manthe 76-359, TD. Passing — Manthe 75-130-7, 955 yards, 10 TDs. Receiving — Travis Anderson 25-302, 4 TDs. Defense — Tyler Blondell 35 solo tackles, 18 assists, 2 fumble recoveries; Chris Seitz 29 solo tackles, 32 assists; Jeremiah Clark 28 solo tackles, 31 assists; Alex Rankin 5 interceptions.

- Key facts: North Scott is still looking for a playoff berth, tied with three other MAC teams for third place in the conference. … The Lancers broke a three-game losing skid to defeat Davenport Assumption. … Muscatine’s Derick Minch now is alone in leading the state in fumble recoveries with six.