2023 District 3: Top 20 (Week 8)
Week #8 Standings
1 Bishop McDevitt 4A 8-0
Following the pattern used for most of the season, Bishop McDevitt raced out to a 42-0 lead at the half, ran up some big stats and played a lot of people (the rich get richer!) in a 49-0 win against Red Land (2-6). Kentucky commit Stone Saunders completed 13 of 19 passes for 253 yards with six touchdown tosses. For the year, he’s at 71% for 1839 yards with a 29/1 ratio. Most of those went to his favorite receiver Rico Scott, an Alabama commit, who had seven receptions for 168 yards and two touchdowns along with Chase Regan with 54 yards and two touchdowns. Senior tight end Nick Slogik and freshman Jontai Quick had a touchdown apiece. That’s a lot of people to keep track of. Sophomore running back Nazir Jones-Davis rushed for 78 yards and a score. Impressive as that was, the defense played at another level than earlier in the season with four different players getting interceptions and a recovered fumble. The win further secured the top seed with previously unbeaten Twin Valley losing. Mifflin County (6A, 4-4) is next, coming off a 24-14 home loss to Hershey. The Huskies have some studs and quality veterans from last year’s team at quarterback and running back but not enough to keep up with McDevitt who beat them 54-6 last year.
2 Manheim Township 6A 8-0
Manheim Township got their second shutout in a row in a 41-0 rout of Reading (1-7). As much as the offense can be celebrated at 45.8ppg, it’s the defense that may put them at another level this year with no team scoring more than a touchdown except Spring-Ford in a 63-28 win back on September 15th. Against Reading, they allowed two first downs and 47 total yards of offense. The offense was Hayden Johnson, completing 9 of 11 passes for 142 yards with touchdown passes of 10, 6, 9, 36 and 8 yards. For the year he’s at 78% completion rate for 1818 yards with a Touchdown to Interception ratio of 33/0. The first unit sat early (41-0 halftime) with backups finishing including seven running backs, six receivers and three quarterbacks. Rival Penn Manor (3-5) is next, coming off a well fought 24-6 loss at Wilson.
3 Harrisburg 6A 7-1
Harrisburg went up to State College last week and absolutely dominated, holding the Lions to 147 total yards in a 20-0 shutout. Having no idea when SC was last shutout, I looked it up to see it was way back in 2014 by Cumberland Valley, 13-0, State’s last losing team at 6-7. With St. Joseph’s Prep and Pittsburgh Central Catholic getting considerable coverage this year in the media, teams like Manheim Township and Harrisburg keep rolling along with two of the best quarterbacks in the state. Shawn Lee has to be one of the top junior quarterbacks in the state along with the kid four miles away at Bishop McDevitt. Against State College, he completed 15 of 20 for 193 yards and rushed for 153 yards on 13 carries at State College. That’s 346 yards of offense, a level few teams achieve at State College. Through eight games, he’s at 71% (67 of 95) for 1162 yards with a 16/3 ratio while rushing for 595 yards. His gifted wide out sophomore Elias Coke caught five passes for 152 yards with a 40-yard touchdown reception. Junior Nehemiah Ewell had 68 yards on 10 carries with wide out Quincy Brannon, another junior, at 31 yards on six receptions. Freshman Saleem Penn is also being worked into the lineup. Point being, as talented as they are, it’s a young group at many positions. Total yardage figures were 470 to 147. Chambersburg (4-4) is next at Harrisburg before the Cougars close out at rival Central Dauphin.
4 Central York 6A 8-0
Central York got WAY more than they planned for at Red Lion (3-5) last week where the host team held a 27-22 lead going onto the fourth quarter. But the Panthers have running back Juelz Goff who could not be stopped despite RL stacking the box. Goff (Pitt commit) managed to rush for 249 yards to set the new rushing record for Central York at 3447 yards. No one has stopped him all year including road games at Central Dauphin and Cumberland Valley. That was probably a good wake up call for Central York. Of note, they allowed 371 yards of offense; one of their worst defensive performances of the year. As mentioned last week, this is not last year’s team. But it ain’t bad! They’re at Reading (1-7) Friday in an out-of-conference game.
5 State College 6A 5-2
See Harrisburg above. State was shut down last week in a key Mid Penn-Commonwealth game, losing to Harrisburg 20-0. Harrisburg’s defense was outstanding, holding quarterback Eddie Corkery to 32% completion rate (8 of 25) for 94 yards. For the year, he’s at 61% for 1484 yard with a 15/2 ratio. Well regarded running back D’Antae Sheffy was held to 32 yards on 16 carries. The loss drops them to second in the division with Harrisburg in first at 6-0. Rest assured they’ll be fired up this week traveling to Mechanicsburg to play Cumberland Valley (4-4) who won their last three games and three of the last four after a 0-3 start. SC won a shootout at home last year 48-31 on the way to an undefeated MP- Commonwealth campaign, and a 13-1 season. This is often a physical and combative game. Especially interesting seeing how they respond following the Harrisburg loss.
6 Steelton Highspire 1A 8-0
The Rollers had a short week playing Newport (0-8) last Thursday. But that didn’t faze them as they routed the Buffaloes 67-12. Quarterback Alex Erby (6-3, 210, sr) broke the State’s passing yardage mark two weeks ago. He followed that up last week by breaking the touchdown record of 146 set by Jeff Hoenstine of Central Martinsburg with seven….repeat….seven touchdowns. The new record is 147. His numbers have been uncanny this year, completing 17 of 21 passes for 435 yards against the Bufs! For the year he’s thrown for 2390 yards at 80% (128 of 161) with a 26/0 ratio. And everyone on the team can catch, led by Rell Ceasar catching seven passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns. Kam Chisholm (6-5, 220) with three receptions for 90 yards and two scores and Jaeion Perry at six receptions for 85 yards and three touchdowns. The ground game is there too with James Evans III taking the first snap of the game 75 yards for a score, ending with two carries for 86 yards and another 9 yard burst for six. All totaled, they had 655 yards of offense while holding Newport to 60 yards. It’s a great race in the Capital this year with the program revived at Trinity (5-2) who they play this week, followed by West Perry’s undefeated Mustangs who get the Rollers in two weeks at home to conclude the regular season.
7 Cocalico 5A 7-1
With earlier wins against Lamperter Strasburg (7-1) and Wyomissing (7-1), Cocalico essentially wrapped up the Lancaster-Lebanon-Section 4 title (LL-4), with last week’s 37-0 win at Donegal (2-6). They’ll play out the string at home to a rebuilding Berks Catholic (4-4) team, closing out on the road at Conrad Weiser (2-6). Donegal barely threatened last week with 119 total yards of offense behind nine first downs. Cocalico was on cruise control doing what was necessary with 255 yards rushing and 50 passing. Eight running backs had carries with Sam Steffey leading the way at 84 yards on 13 carries with a 2-yard touchdown. Aaryn Longenecker who leads Steffey by 19 yards at 760 for the season was next with 59 rush yards.
8 Wilson 6A 6-2
Wilson kept it going with their sixth straight win following a 0-2 start beating Penn Manor (3-5) in West Lawn. Quarterback Tommy Hunsicker is still their leading running back (419), rushing for 199 yards on 19 carries while completing 16 of 27 passes for 188 yards. Nice game! Like Steel High, everyone on the team can catch, with five receivers at 200 plus yards. So far it’s worked, producing a balanced offense of 188 passing and 168 rushing vs Penn Manor. Still, they don’t have a breakaway running back. Edison Case and Austin Valukevich led them last week with both snagging five passes for 56 yards each. Correll Akings is a nice threat out of the backfield with two receptions for 43 yards and 17 rushing on eight carries last week. He’s a versatile option as a first year starter with 331 rush yards and 220 passing for the season. J.P. McCaskey or Lancaster High as some still call it is next at 2-6 before the big one at home against Manheim Township.
9 Manheim Central 4A 7-1
Central has rounded into a complete team if last week was any indication after gaining 225 yards on the ground and 192 above against a capable 6-2 Conestoga Valley team. It was reasonably close in the first half with CV hangin in at 20-7. Then the Barons lowered the boom with Brycen Arnold rushing for 208 yards, wide out Aaron Enterline catching nine passes for 139 yards and quarterback Zac Hahn getting red hot, completing 16 of 22 passes by games end for 188 yards and three touchdowns. 447 yards later it was all over for CV, going down hard 47-14 after looking like a real challenger coming in at 6-1. Governor Mifflin (4-4) is next in Manheim before closing at undefeated Exeter.
10 Wyomissing 3A 7-1
Wyomissing recovered with the 34-14 loss to Cocalico two weeks ago with a 35-14 home win against Conrad Weiser (2-6). But it took them a while to recover after a scoreless first quarter when they erupted for 35 middle quarter points to put Weiser away. Credit Weiser’s Sevon Parham who rushed for 140 yards kept the score from being worse. For Wyo, Justice Hardy had 106 yards rushing and a touchdown with Ryker Jones adding 70 yards on nine carries. Except for Parham’s rushing, Weiser was held to 33 yards of offense. Octorara (2-6) is next, coming in on ‘E’ after a tough 22-19 road loss at Berks Catholic. Then comes a major test on the road at Lampeter Strasburg (7-1) who is also fighting for a high seed.
TIE
York (William Penn) 6A 6-1
York had just the kind of game you want coming down the stretch with an all-out offensive against Spring Grove, winning 66-36. Youth served them well with sophomore quarterback Najee Still (6-3, 185) completing 22 of 32 for 335 yards and five touchdowns, and Shavane Anderson (5-11, 180), another sophomore, rushing for 98 yards on 17 carries. Wide out Wa’Neiq Scott had 150 yards in reception on nine catches and three touchdowns, with David Warde collecting seven passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Both are juniors. Look out next year! We’ll see what they’re made of as they close on the road at South Western (5-3) and Central York (8-0).
11 Exeter Township 5A 8-0
Exeter may have been looking past a feisty Hempfield team in a dangerous cross over game last week. But they got it done in a game that was well contested for three quarters for a 49-27 win. Exeter’s Nathan Pashley opened the game with a 90-yard kickoff return for six to get things started while Jayden Zandier rambled for 262 yards, scoring on runs of 33, 23 and 77 yards to hold the Black Knights at bay. He finished with a 79-yard kickoff return in the third quarter. But hats off to the Knights who battled with quarterback Jackson Landis completing 24 of 34 throws for 279 yards. He has 1575 yards for the year. And running back Elijah Walls (21/83-504 season) and receiver Micah Gates (7/72-595 season) will keep most defenses busy. Exeter’s special teams and a defense holding them to 103 yards rushing was the difference while Exeter pounded out 337 yards on the ground. The Eagles are a well-balanced team, averaging 127 yards passing at 60% and 232 yards a game. They’ll have to finish strong with Conestoga Valley (6-2) and Manheim Central (7-1) completing the regular season, deciding the LL-2 and significantly impacting seeding.
12 Central Dauphin 6A 5-3
Central Dauphin bounced back from a 19-14 loss at Cumberland Valley two week ago by pummeling Altoona 48-14. They did it with a big offense, producing 497 total yards while holding the Mountain Lions to 197. That’s CD. When they’re on, they’re impressive, winning a 36-35 road game at Wilson or pounding Coatesville 35-13. Quarterback Key’Ron Plummer continues developing, completing 7 of 18 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for 78 yards on another seven carries, one, a 53-yard touchdown sprint. Mateo Crummel (5-11, 150, 4.4-40) ran away from coverage to catch all the passes for 199 yards, with touchdowns of 65 and 62 yards. Miles Copper had touchdowns of 2 and 9 yards, rushing for 68 yards. This was the most productive game for the Rams to date, winning 48-14. They finish the year at home against a very dangerous rival Central Dauphin East team (3-5). How dangerous? They have losses to Cumberland Valley (4-4) 31-24 in overtime, Harrisburg 34-27 and last week to Chambersburg (4-4) 34-33. Then comes Harrisburg, also at Landis Field.
TIE
Garden Spot 5A 7-1
Like Central Dauphin above, Garden Spot had a disappointing loss two weeks ago, in a hard fought LL-3 game at Twin Valley, 35-34. But they too bounced back, taking all their frustration out on Central Mountain (District-6, 5A, 2-6) who probably didn’t know what to think about the team from Amish Country putting a 48-0 hurtin on them. G-Spot is not to be confused with the Harrisburg’s and Wilson’s of the district, but they’re a long way from the comp Central Mountain regularly plays from District-4 including 4A Shamokin (4-4), 3A Mifflinburg (4-4) and 4A Shikellamy (2-6). They pounced on them hard and early with a 21-0 first quarter, then a 14-0 second quarter with a balanced attack (207ry, 163py) generating 370 yards to the Wildcats 91. Quarterback Kye Harting completed 8 of 10 passes for 175 yards with touchdowns of 35 and 57 yards. All that while rushing for 44 yards and an 8-yard score on three carries. It was a three-hour bus ride for Garden Spot but everyone got to play with seven running backs and five receivers involved. They should finish strong with home games against Elizabethtown (1-7) and Solanco (3-5).
13 West Perry 3A 8-0
The Mustangs beat Middletown 31-6 with a good all-around effort in a division win that keeps them even with Steel High at 5-0. West Perry’s quarterback had another great game, breaking the 5000-yard passing mark, throwing for 234 yards and rushing for 130 yards. He had four touchdowns. Ian Goodling was unstoppable as always, catching eight passes for 136 yards. As their kicker, he was a perfect four of four in extra points and kicked a 34-yard field goal. They’re on the road where they’ve had success against good comp in tight games, edging Trinity (6-2) 19-16 and Big Spring (4-4) 38-35. The game at Camp Hill (4-4) Friday has the potential of being a wild one knowing the Lions are nine points away from a 7-1 record with one point losses to Big Spring and Trinity last week, and the upset by Middletown 14-7. Their quarterback Drew Branstetter can be a problem. He’s at 67% completion rate for 1391 yards and a 15/2 ratio. After that comes Steel High at West Perry where we’ll likely have two undefeated teams squaring off.
TIE
Ephrata 5A 7-1
Ephrata had their biggest win ever last week where they dominated previously undefeated Twin Valley (7-1) 52-33. Some fast history here to remind they’ve been a 26-21 program the last five years, following a winless streak from 2013 through 2017 where they went 0-50! Evidently getting smacked 42-22 by Garden Spot three weeks ago was the tonic with subsequent wins at Fleetwood 52-28 and last week’s rout of Twin Valley. Quarterback Sam McCracken lit it up, completing 8 of 14 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for two more scores on 16 carries for 25 yards. Two running backs broke the century mark with Brayden Brown at 138 yards and Angel Collazo at 119. Receivers Nick Keller and Jeremiah Knowles had 100 yards and 65 yards respectively and a touchdown a piece. They rolled out the big numbers last week with 486 total yards (288r, 198p) while controlling Twin Valley at 307 total yards. The win throws the LL-3 into utter chaos with T-Val at 4-1, Garden Spot 3-1 and Ephrata at 4-1. Their at downtrodden Muhlenberg (1-7, one winning season last 10) in a cross over game where they’ll rack up big numbers again and play a lot of people.
14 Trinity 2A 6-2
Trinity and Camp Hill got into a good one last week with the Shamrocks edging the Lions of Camp Hill 14-13. It’s often a tight game when these two Camp Hill schools get together. This one was no different with Trinity stopping a 2-point conversion for the win. Sophomore running back sensation Messiah Mickens was again on the sidelines with an injury. No matter, Christian Joy lugged it 28 times for a season high 178 yards and a four-yard score on a keeper. Camp Hill quarterback Drew Branstetter was the Lion’s offense, completing 23 of 38 passes for 136 yards. Next up for Trinity is a road game at Cottage Hill, taking on Steelton Highspire’s Rollers in a crucial Capital Division game. They took them to overtime last year at Trinity losing 35-28. The Rocks ended that year with the 2A district crown at 10-5, losing to Southern Columbia while the Rollers won it all at 13-1, beating Union in the final.
TIE
Twin Valley 4A 7-1
Twin Valley’s seven game winning streak came to an end in Ephrata last week where they were stunned by the Mountaineers 52-33. The collapse is more understandable knowing they just escaped in two highly competitive section games beating Solanco 29-28 and Garden Spot 35-34 the week before. They probably had some dings and dents as Solanco often leaves you black and blue. Whatever, Ephrata jumped on them hard, with a 20-9 first quarter and never let up, while the defense did a good job holding TV’s big offense to 307 total yards; 157rushing, 150 passing. Quarterback Evan Myers did his part to keep it close completing 12 of 25 for 158 yards and rushing for 54 more. Still, 48% completion rate with no touchdowns is well below his season average of 60%. Boone (1-7) is next to conclude ‘Section’ play. They’ll finish up at home against Hatboro Horsham (4-4), an independent just north of Philadelphia, formerly of the Suburban One League.
15 Lampeter Strasburg 4A 7-1
Lampeter Strasburg got their third shutout of the season with a 49-0 rout of ELCO (5-3) who’s fading fast, losing three of their last four. Conversely, LS recovered from the 24-10 Cocalico loss three weeks ago, winning their last three games by a combined score of 144-24. They broke out the passing game last week, completing 11 of 13 for 221 yards with Trent Wagner throwing touchdowns of 21, 43 and 30 yards. Running back Jonathan Mellinger ran for 11 yards and two scores with Dean Herr pulling down five throws for 106 yards and two scores. Barring the 24-10 loss at Cocalico, this veteran defense has allowed just 37 points. And with an improving pass attack, they’ll be a load in the postseason with a high seed. Conrad Weiser (2-6) is next at Weiser before ending at home against Wyomissing.
TIE
New Oxford 5A 8-0
New Oxford built a 34-0 lead at the half before finishing off outmanned West York (0-8) 41-7. Quarterback Idriz Ahmetovic returned from injury to complete 5 of 12 passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Last week’s starter, sophomore Luke Frey also played, showing promise completing 5 of 9 passes for 106 yards and two touchdown passes. Leading rusher Clayton Nieves, a junior, had 28 yards on nine carries with senior Jarret Bitzer rushing for 56 yards. Sophomore Alex Brown had 38 yards on eight carries. The defense had another strong outing holding West to 145 total yards; 34 rushing. Up next is Fort Hill from Cumberland Maryland who was mentioned in last week’s write up. Here’s that information.
New Oxford looks to go undefeated if they get past Fort Hill who beat them 28-0 last year. Fort Hill is the perennial 1A (smallest) state champ, winning the last two title at 13-1 and 12-0, and four in a row from 2013-2016 going 54-1. They’re 117-7 the last 10 years, coming at you with a lot of speed that will give the Colonials fits.
16 Cedar Cliff 5A 7-1
Quarterback Bennett Seacrest (6-0, 190, Jr) put on a show last week against Palmyra, rushing for 144 yards where he had three touchdowns while passing for 112 more yards with another touchdown in a dominating 55-18 win at Palmyra. Running back Erik Schriver rushed for 130 yards with three touchdowns. With their ground game and a versatile quarterback like Seacrest, the Colts can definitely make some noise in the 5A postseason where they’ll be a favorite along with Exeter and New Oxford, both 8-0. Red Land (2-6) is next before concluding the season at an underrated Milton Hershey (4-4) team.
17 Cedar Crest 6A 6-2
Quite a few teams were rebounding from bad losses last week with Cedar Crest among them. Two weeks ago saw the Falcons disappear on the road at Manheim Township, losing 42-0 in something of a shocker. Last week saw them resurrect with a 48-6 win at home in Lebanon against J.P. McCaskey (2-6). Cedar Crest is a run heavy team with quarterback Jackson Custer completing 3 of 7 passes for 52 yards. One went for a 37-yard touchdown to Aiden Schomp. But the big gun was Fernando Marquez who pounded it for 178 yards, scoring on runs of 3, 1, 21 and 41 yards. With losses to Wilson 21-13 and Township 42-0, they’re out of the ‘section’ race but still playing for a high seed, locked in a battle with Central Dauphin for the 6th seed. They’re at Hempfield (2-6) Friday who averages 21ppg despite a shutout to Central York and just a touchdown vs Township. Against everyone else they average 27ppg. Their problem is a defense that allows 33.7ppg.
18 Hershey 5A 6-2
Hershey made great strides this year, bouncing back from a 5-5 campaign with a lot of youth, including sophomore quarterback Cameron Sweeney. At 6-1, 185, he doesn’t look or act much like a sophomore, completing 59% of his passes with an 8/3 ratio for 648 yards and 238 rushing on 40 carries. The senior laden defense has allowed 23ppg. This puts some burden on the offense. But they have a strong card here in their bruising running back Angel Cabrera, a load at 6-0, 230 pounds, running for 928 yards to date. He had 200 yards last week enabling them to come away with a 24-14 win at Mifflin County, their fourth road win of the year. OL/DL Isaiah Danner (6-6, 270, sr) and Cabrera get along real well! With losses to McDevitt and Cedar Cliff, the season is now about seeding, making this week’s game against Lower Dauphin (5-3), also a 5A team, essentially a playoff game. Adding to that realism, the game is at Hershey Park Stadium.
19 Susquehanna Township 4A 6-2
Six different players scored touchdowns as the Indians had no trouble on the road defeating Northern 42-16. This was an important win, keeping them tied with East Pennsboro atop the Mid Penn-Colonial Division. Susquehanna Township is from the North Side, making Harrisburg well represented this year with good football at every quarter; Harrisburg, McDevitt, Central Dauphin, Steel High. Quarterback Torin Evans was outstanding vs the Polar Bears, completing 14 of 18 passes for 235 yards with three touchdown passes. Wide outs Zikhere Leaks had one reception for an 84-yard touchdown, Jarrett Kern had six for 60 yards and a touchdown and Lex Cyrus had three catches for 58 yards and a touchdown. Running back Dorian Smith had a breakout game, rushing for 186 yards, with an 85-yard touchdown jaunt on their first play from scrimmage. The defense allows 14ppg since the 35-34 opening loss (upset?) to Milton Hershey (4-4). DL Aubrey Carter (6-2, 275, sr) with offers from J. Mad, Navy and Cent Mich is a load! Up next is East Pennsboro from across the river in Enola. It’s at ‘Hanna’ in Harrisburg for a game that will likely decide the division. Both are tied at 4-1, with Greencastle (6-2) and Gettysburg (4-4) hanging around at 3-2. The game will have the feel of a playoff game with seed positioning also at stake.
20 East Pennsbor0 4A 7-1
East Pennsboro fell behind Shippensburg 7-0 by the end of the first quarter before exploding for 20 points in the second quarter on the way to a 34-14 win, keeping them deadlocked with Susquehanna Township (6-2, 4-1) atop the Mid Penn-Colonial division. Quarterback Keith Oates had one of his best performances of the season completing 17 of 24 passes for 228 yards. He threw touchdowns of 28 and 30 yards. Lead back J.J. Gossard rushed for 78 and two scores with Breckin Swope catching 5 passes for 91 yards and a score. Next up is a key game at Susquehanna Township in Harrisburg to decide the division title. ‘Hanna’ has been a tough out all year, losing to Milton Hershey 35-34 in the opener and the upset at Mechanicsburg 14-13.
OTHERS:
Lower Dauphin 5A 5-3 at Hershey
Milton Hershey 4A 4-4 home vs Palmyra
Greencastle-Antrim 5A 6-2 at Mechanicsburg
Cumberland Valley 6A 4-4 home vs State College
** Central Dauphin East 6A 3-5 home vs Central Dauphin
Conestoga Valley 5A 6-2 home vs Exeter
Annville-Cleona 2A 5-2 home vs Schuylkill Valley
Schuylkill Valley 3A 7-1 at Annville-Cleona
Dallastown 6A 3-5 at Spring Grove
Littlestown 3A 6-2 home vs Biglerville
** CD and CD East share the same field.
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