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MUSCATINE, Iowa – After senior Nick Garretson replaced Paul Jindrich at quarterback in the second half last week at Burlington, it begs the question: Who will be the Muscatine football team’s starting quarterback for Friday night’s homecoming game against Davenport North?

If Muscatine coach Tony Napierala knows, he’s not saying publicly.

“We’re undecided yet,” Napierala said. “There’s a chance you’ll see Nick (Garretson). We’re trying to figure out who it will be. We’ll know more on Thursday at 5 p.m.”

But if Jindrich, a junior, is the starter, he’ll go into Friday’s game without a lot of practice time.

“I didn’t take any reps (this week),” Jindrich said Wednesday night. “I’m going into practice with the same positive attitude and trying my best.”

Garretson, on the other hand, said he’s taken reps, but wouldn’t tip his hand on whether he was the definitive starter.

“I’m not exactly sure,” he said. “It’s up to coach. I’ve been taking reps all week. I’m pretty sure I’ll get in the game (at quarterback) at one point or another. I just have to run it (the offense) and play all four quarters; keep everything going like in the second half of the Burlington game.”

While there may be questions surrounding Muscatine’s starting quarterback, there is no question on who will be starting for Davenport North. The Wildcats have only 20 players eligible with 12 players out because of eligibility issues.

“We are sitting 12 with disciplinary, injury and grade eligibility reasons,” North coach Greg Kern said. “Every week, we’ve been going in with 20 players. They just have to play tough and their best until we get the rest of the team back. In all of my years of coaching, I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Kern, who had coached for 16 years at Davenport West, said that 10 players go both ways for his team.

“It’s hard to hang with teams that have 40 to 50 guys on their roster,” Kern said, “and Bettendorf and Clinton had 80.”

Meanwhile, Napierala and his staff have their own issues – like playing with consistency.

So far, Muscatine can’t seem to piece it together on both sides of the ball. If the offense is clicking, the defense gives up big plays. Then, last week, the defense forced four fourth-quarter fumbles at Burlington, but the offense managed just three points.

“We’re inconsistent,” Napierala said, “and turning the ball over which is putting the defense in a bad spot. Then we move the ball and give up the big play on defense. We need to grow up and get better.”

Garretson said that his team has an opportunity to get its first win against the Wildcats.

“We have a real good chance,” Garretson said. “We need this one because we’re 0-4. We’ve had a good week of practice and everyone is going hard and we want to win since it is homecoming week.”

However, the players on Davenport North’s roster are quite good, including linebacker/receiver Brad Frick, linebacker/receiver Joe Kern and defensive end Diante Luke.

“They’ve got some good kids at skill positions,” Napierala said. “Both teams will take their shots and we’ll see what happens.”

Davenport North (0-4)

at Muscatine (0-4)

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

- Where: Muscatine Community Stadium

- Last week: Muscatine forced five turnovers, but had four turnovers of its own in a 21-13 loss to Burlington. Davenport North remained winless with a 42-7 loss at Brady Street Stadium on Thursday night against Davenport West.

- Coaches: Davenport North (Greg Kern, first year, 0-4); Muscatine (Tony Napierala, second year, 4-10 overall).

- Last meeting: Muscatine overwhelmed Davenport North, 41-14. In that game, Edwin Arceo set one of the oldest-standing school records by scoring 28 points.

- Stat leaders: North: (Rushing: Keenan Humphries 53-204; Joe Kern 44-22; Passing: Eric Reynolds 21-64-260-1-8; Receiving: Brad Frick 4-101; Adam Rohlf 3-48; Defense: Joe Kern 14 tackles, 2 TFL; Brad Frick 14 tackles; Diante Luke 2 fumble recoveries). Muscatine: (Rushing: Tanner Bohling 40-165; Paul Jindrich 28-43; Passing: Paul Jindrich 53-102-594-3-10; Nick Garretson 8-19-106-1-2; Receiving: Tanner Bohling 16-174; TJ Husar 15-123; Jeff Failor 9-122; Griffen Gaeta 8-93; Defense: Mat Snider 23 solo tackles, 19 assists; Isaac Ales 17 solo tackles, 13 assists; Nick Garretson 13 solo tackles, 9 assists; Mitch Shelladay 11 solo tackles, 9 assists; Derick Minch 5 fumble recoveries; Isaac Ales 2 fumble recoveries).

- Key facts: Both teams are looking for its first win in this Muscatine’s homecoming game. The Wildcats are missing 12 players because of eligibility issues and injuries, suiting up only 20 players for Friday night. Muscatine has a big question mark on who will start at quarterback. Will it be junior Paul Jindrich or senior Nick Garretson? The decision will be made at 5 p.m. today, according to Muscatine coach Tony Napierala. … Minch, who had three fumble recoveries last week against Burlington, leads the state with five recoveries.