Thoughts on the coming season: District 3, AAAA
Here's a brief summary of the district.
To say 3 looks impressive is an understatement with Mid Penn[/B] mainstays Central Dauphin 11-3[/B] and sister school CD East 10-3[/B] of the Commonwealth Division[/B] battling it out with Cedar Cliff 8-3 [/B]and Lower Dauphin 9-3[/B] of the Keystone[/B]
.returning veteran quarterbacks, two in the case of Central Dauphin, and other key parts to suggest big things again for all 4. Especially in the case of Central Dauphin who looks primed for another run at the gold medal with a loaded team. The Rams last won gold in 2011 (15-1) where they beat North Penn 14-7. Harrisburg and Cumberland will reload with new talent.
Central Dauphin:[/B] This looks like the West favorite. They return both QBs, AJ Millar (6-2, 170, jr, 421py, 133ry) and David Payton (5-9, 180, sr, 517py, 617ry), RB Raleigh Sirb (5-9, 190, sr, 1352ry), 4 of 6 lineman anchored by Evan Childs (6-3, 270, jr) and Steve Veronikis (6-5, 225, sr). Most of the D returns (13ppg yield) centered around last year's top freshman in the state, Micah Parsons (6-3, 215), 121 Tackles/14 Sacks/27TFL. Entire DL/DE's with 3 of 4 LBs return. Don't be surprised to see Central Dauphin and Parkland in the final.
Central Dauphin East:[/B] Return QB Jahad Neibauer (5-11, 180, sr, 1067py, 52%, 14/3, 426ry) and one of last year's top sophomores in DE Brandon Hickerson Rooks (6-1,220, jr, 98 tackles) and DT A.J. Perez (6-3, 270, sr), last year's transfer from CD. Receiver corps is a wipe out plus a solid back in Joe LeMelle (5-11, 190, 802ry, 414py). Coach Blanding has East High Panthers moving in the right direction.
Lower Dauphin: [/B]QB Tommy Klock (6-2, 210, sr, 1298, 49%, 13/8) returns with lead back George Hatalowich (5-11, 195, sr, 1382ry). For a tiny quad playing with the big boys, they hold their own well. Beat Cedar Cliff in opening round last year 21-18 (bitter Keystone conference rival) then lost to Central Dauphin 14-7.
Cedar Cliff: [/B]As a sophomore Grant Breneman (6-0, 185) threw for 2396 yards, completing 62% with 24 Tds to 8 picks. RB Jayden Demmy (5-9, 200, sr, 1789ry) returns with lead receiver Mike Viti (6-0, 175, sr, 41/438py) giving them a jump on many with that solid nucleus. Consecutive road trips to open the season at Penn Manor, South Western and Cocalico (10-3, Denver, PA) will tell the tale as Cocalico will again be one of the top Triple-A's in the district competing with McDevitt for honors. CC's conference game with McDevitt will tell how Crusaders have rebuilt and if Colts have matured enough to battle Central Dauphin and Wilson types on even terms. Scored 37ppg last year so look for another explosive offense.
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Over in the Lancaster Lebanon League, Section-1[/B], Wilson 14-1[/B] as always will dominate again with key parts returning to both sides of the line. Senior Jake Kline, the younger brother of Widener's QB Seth Kline will step in for graduated Jake Templin (126/249/1768/51%, 30/12 Td-Pick). Brother Seth, also a Wilson grad, led Widener (12-1, Div-III, Chester, PA) to the quarterfinals last year where they lost to Linfield after throwing for 3296 yards (60%) as a sophomore; 2809 as a frosh. Senior back Shane Dantzler (5-9, 170) had over 1700 yards rushing last year so look for the Bulldogs to field another force this year.
Manheim Township 8-4[/B] returns a 64 percenter in QB Erik Benjamin (6-1, 215, sr, 2108, 23/8) but lose a pile from a decent defense that allowed 16ppg. Defense is rarely a forte at Township but offenses is where the Blue Streaks often light things up.
Another LL-1 team, Hempfield,[/B] looks strong again with senior QB Sam Kramer's (6-3, 210) running and passing (1005ry, 1212py), enough to keep D's off balance til a replacement for Devin Washington (204/994) is developed. Last year's big armed freshman David Martin (6-3, 210) could press for time. They shook off a 35-14 loss to Manheim Township in the regular season final to pound Dallastown 36-21 in the first round before losing to CD East in the second, 41-40. The Black Knights can score points and should be exciting. Penn Manor 6-5[/B] always has talent but now must replace head coach Todd Mealy, a former Bishop McDevitt standout and winningest coach in school history going 56-35 the last 9 years. Injuries devastated a good, senior team last year that lost 4 of their last 5 games after a 5-1 start.
The Berk FB League[/B] could take a step back but not too far with Governor Mifflin 11-2[/B] and Exeter Township 8-3[/B] suffering tremendous grad losses. Reading's 6-5[/B] triple option could slip a little but return QB Elisiah Bayne and running back Jai Whitlock. Dontae Owens (RB/WR/athlete-Rutgers) will be missed. Coach Robert Flowers (4th year) clearly has Knights on the right path with a playoff game against CD, their first playoff appearance in 11 years when they went 10-3 under coach Al Wolski retired from State College following the 2013 season.
Things are always competitive in the York-Adams Division 1[/B] with Dallastown (9-2), Central York (5-5), Red Lion (6-5) [/B]and South Western (5-5)[/B] fielding exciting teams, especially this year with all 4 returning their quarterback. Red Lion and South Western look particularly loaded. Red Lion[/B] returns QB Dalton Grove, (6-2, 175, sr, 1051py, 50%) and his principle receivers plus most of the defense, keyed by leading tackler Stone Hill (6-2, 215, sr, 141 tackles), DT Nick Argento (6-3, 295, jr, 83 stops) and LB Alex Keough (6-0, 185, sr, 75 tackles). South Western's [/B]Mustangs [/B]began the year 0-3 but finished 5-2, winning their last 3 to enter this year on a high note. 3 of their losses came to Gettysburg 44-41 at home and away at Central York 20-13ot and Dallastown 28-27.
