By DOUG DONNELLY

Sometimes it is hard to tell how good a 3-0 football team because there isn’t enough body of work to tell after three games.

That’s not the case with the Michigan Center team that Addison will host Friday. The Cardinals are 3-0 and haven’t given up a point on defense.

“They are every bit as good as advertised,” Addison coach Joshua Lindeman said this week while preparing his undefeated Panthers to go against Michigan Center in a Cascades Conference match-up. “They are a veteran team, well coached and have a lot of depth.

“For them to go three games with shutouts says a lot. They brought in a lot of kids because they’ve had big leads during games and still haven’t allowed a point.”

It’s a dream matchup in the Cascades Conference, which Addison is trying to win for the third straight season. The two teams didn’t play last season due to COVID-19 scheduling.

This season both teams are off to sensational starts and are ranked in the Associated Press top 10 poll. This week Addison is No. 3 in Division 8, and Michigan Center No. 4 in Division 6. Both offenses have been outstanding all season. Addison comes into the game averaging 48.3 points a game while Michigan Center is averaging 45.3 points a game.

Lindeman said he’s hoping for some long, sustained drives out of his offense Friday.

“I hope that for Friday and every game that I ever coach in for the rest of my life,” he said. “We would like every game to be won in the trenches. That’s our game plan. They have a veteran line and so do we. Our kids are excited to play them. It’s going to be a challenge for us, but we are looking forward to it.”

Michigan Center (3-0) at Addison (3-0)

Last meeting: Addison 62, Michigan Center 34, 2019

Series since 1950: Addison leads 20-12

Notes: This is a crucial Cascades Conference contest that will go a long way to deciding if Addison can three-peat. The biggest stat of the week is that the Cardinals have yet to give up a point. Michigan Center’s Kaydin Hiland is a threat to run the ball or catch the ball out of the backfield for the Cardinals. Ryan Worsham offers the same dimension for the Panthers after catching two passes for 65 yards and rushing for 193 yards last week.