Districts 3, 4, 5, 6
16 Central York 6A 6-1
Central York cruised to their 3rd consecutive romp, blistering Spring Grove (1-6) 58-14. The halftime score was 51-7. The 2 previous routs were road win at New Oxford 60-21 and South Western 54-14. Qb Cade Pribula completed 15 of 18 passes for 282 yards and 5 touchdowns before sitting, bringing his season total to 106 completions on 165 attempts (64%) for 2172 yards. His Td/Pick ratio is 27/4. He holds the all-time York County record of 6226 yards passing. And the defense held the Rockets to 46 total yards to their 380. Nice! They’re at Northeastern (4-3) this week where the men from Manchester won 4 of their last 5 games including the 23-16 upset of Red Lion 2 weeks ago. With record setting Cade Pribula at the helm for CY, the Bobcats are disadvantaged. But barring weeks 1 and 2 where they lost to Solanco and Carlisle, they are undefeated at home. Then there’s the Red Lion upset reminding Central needs to stay focused to gain their 7th win.
17 York (William Penn) 5A 6-1
Dayjure Stewart had a 73 yard run in the 2nd quarter while Rob Rideout added an 80 yard run in the 3rd giving the explosive Bearcat team a 20-7 lead that wasn’t quite enough. Two unanswered Red Lion scores (see Red Lion) in the 4th quarter along with York’s missing an extra point sealed the deal in a 21-20 loss. Dayjure Stewart had 162 yards on 22 carries and a 52 yard reception for a score, showing why he is one of the best running back in the York-Adams with a season total of 1555 yards rushing. Red Lion is the best team they’ve played to date with previous opponents having a 12 and 29 record headlined by Dallastown and Cedar Crest, both 4-3, followed by Reading (1-6), McCaskey (1-6). New Oxford (2-5) and Spring Grove (1-6). They’ll get back on track this week at home against winless South Western.
18 Dallastown 6A 4-3
Dtown humbled 2-5 New Oxford 45-14 to secure a 5 way tie in the York-Adams Conference (See Red Lion). The win was their 4th in the last 5 games after opening with losses to Hempfield and Manheim Township of the Lancaster Lebanon League. Nyzair Smith showed why he is right there with Dayjure Stewart of York High, rushing for 362 yards and 4 touchdowns, giving his 18 touchdowns for the year and 1604 yards rushing on the season. The Wildcats will continue their winning ways Friday at Spring Grove (1-6) in what should be a tune up before the big one at Central York the following week.
19 Williamsport 6A 5-2
Williamsport returned a fumble 72 yards for a score at the mid-point of the 4th quarter, then failed to stop Pittston who drove the field for what appeared to be the winning score with just over a minute left in regulation, leading 33-29. But that was no problem for Williamsport’s explosive yet inconsistent attack as they converted a 4th and 10 from Pittston’s 46, before moving in behind Qb Joe Fagnano’s legs and arm, hitting his favorite target Marcus Simmons for and 11 yard strike in the middle of the end zone with 7 seconds left to give the Millionaires a 36-33 win. They’re at Milford Friday playing Delaware Valley (4-3) who is rebuilding after graduating arguably their best team ever. They are 3-1 in their last 4 games.
20 Susquehanna Township 4A 5-2
Susquehanna Township rose in the ratings from 29th after beating Conrad Weiser 19-6 who was previously ranked 17th . The game held significance for seeding concerns with both in Distict-3’s 4A classification. So it was a special Homecoming taking down Weiser and holding them to 200 total yards of offense. Troy Ambush (5-11, 190) who is a load to tackle rushed for 118 yards on 15 carries while Jequest Garced had a 59 yard punt return for 6. Qb Rahsaan Carlton threw effectively completing 5 of 8 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown as “Hanna” gained their 5th straight win. They return to Mid Penn-Keystone action Friday at home against Red Land (1-6). Currently they are tied with Cedar Cliff in 1st place, a game ahead of Bishop McDevitt.
21 Conrad Weiser 4A 5-2
Hats off to Conrad Weiser despite losing a tough road trip in Harrisburg to Susquehanna Township 19-6. They’ve stepped up the schedule to play the Indians the last 5 years and earlier in the year played Cocalico. They played Berks Catholic in last year’s upgrade plus Wyomissing and LL members over the years. Berks Inter County-Section 1 action continues Friday at home against 1-6 Reading where they will cruise. Then Muhlenberg (0-7) before the regular season closer at Governor Mifflin with whom they are currently tied atop the Berks at 4-0, a game ahead of Exeter Township.
22 Governor Mifflin 5A 4-3
The Mustangs stock keeps rising winning their 4th straight since consecutive losses to Cedar Cliff, Wilson and Cocalico. Clearly the comp got easier but winning is winning and apart from allowing the rebuilt offense to jell, it has developed great confidence. You might say they’ve arrived….or are arriving, outscoring their last 4 opponents 181-33. With a great sophomore class, a new head coach in Jeff Lang (replaced legendary Mick Vecchio), and the growth pains of breaking in talented but young skill types (Qb Kolbie Reeser-Jr, Rb Nicholas Singleton-Fr), you knew it’d take time. They graduated a loaded team last year that beat the state’s top rated 5A Harrisburg 26-14 in Districts and the 6A District-3 champ Manheim Township 49-14 in the regular season before losing to Manheim Central 30-29 in the district final. Last week saw them defeat Boone 49-0 with Qb Kolbie Reeser completing 7 of 8 passes for 198 yards and 3 touchdowns. They’re at Lower Dauphin (1-6) who’s coming off consecutive losses to Cedar Cliff 48-14 and Bishop McDevitt 56-7.
23 Exeter Township 5A 4-3
Qb Kolby Haag had a memorable outing against Reading completing 17 of 21 passes for 384 yards and 2 touchdowns as they overwhelmed the Knights 51-14. It was a balanced attack with receivers Alex Javier catching 5 passes for 126 yards and a score, and Matt Feeney snagging 2 for 94 yards. Jeremiah Nixon and Steven Rose led the ground assault with Nixon getting 94 yards and 2 touchdowns on 15 carries and Rose getting 90 yards on 13 carries with 3 touchdowns. All totaled the Eagles generated 569 total yards of offense to Readings 182. Conference action continues Friday at home against Twin Valley (4-3) before the showdown with Mifflin’s Mustangs.
24 Mount Carmel 2A 5-2
The Red Tornadoes recorded their 2nd straight shutout defeating winless Hughesville 48-0. 7 Sacks and 18 negative plays says the Spartans were overwhelmed! Conference action continues Friday at South Williamsport where the Mounties season at 4-3 is unraveling after losing two straight to Columbia County teams, Southern 54-20 and Central 48-27. They’ll likely be cranked up after losing in the District-4 2A Quarterfinals last year 28-14.
25 Hempfield 6A 3-4
Tough year for the Black Knights reloading from last year’s 8-4 group but now facing a higher quality of teams with a group ravaged by graduation. But they’re still a tough squad, holding Wilson to 2 field goals and 306 total yards of offense in a 26-16 loss. A Pick-6 of 55 yards in the 3rd quarter really hurt. Notably, all 7 of Hempfield’s opponents have a winning record. Not too many teams can say that at this point in the season. Many teams in the Mid-State would have a difficult time against Manheim Central (7-0), Central York (6-1), Warwick (5-2) and Wilson (5-2), teams the Knights lost to 28-7, 35-31, 27-0 and 26-16 respectively. But they’re well coached by Ron Zieber who has them in most games. They’re at 1-6 McCaskey Friday where they should get to .500.
26 Palmyra 5A 7-0
Palmyra spread it around with Qb Grant Hause completing 8 of 12 passes for 132 yards and 2 scores, mostly to Sean Carter who caught 6 of them for 108 yards. Caleb Hawkins gashed the Bubbler defense for 198 yards on 24 carries as the Cougars rolled to an easy 47-0 win at Boiling Springs, keeping them even with Middletown in the Mid Penn-Capital Division at 4-0. 2nd place Milton Hershey (6-1) is next, coming off a 32-21 loss at home to Middletown last week. Palmyra has no games of that caliber or wins of note while the Spartans show road wins at Annville Cleona (5-2) of the LL-3 and Susquehanna Township (5-2) of the MP-Keystone. Palmyra’s more liberal defense allowing 19ppg may catch up to them here against the Spartan’s stiffer D allowing 12ppg. Both have explosive offenses.
27 Milton Hershey 4A 6-1
Milton Hershey rose in the rankings as a result of their competitive loss to Middletown 32-21, one of the top 3A teams in the state. It was a competitive game until 4th quarter scores at the 6:47 and 1:40 mark did them in after holding a 21-20 lead. The Spartans move on in conference action to play undefeated Palmyra at their place.
28 Shippensburg 5A 6-1
Shippensburg joins the Top 30 for the first time this year following an impressive road win at previously undefeated West Perry, 34-21. They’re led by a dynamic running back in Adam Houser who has rushed for 1125 yards on 141 carries. This guy is lethal in an open field! Most people felt Ship would fold with the graduation of quarterback Carter Van Scyoc (Bloomsburg) and others, but here they are with 4 returning lineman and a sophomore Qb in Zach Manning taking over. The line has great size with Trey Lynch 5-11 265, Wyatt Craig 6-1 225, Colton Musser 6-3, 245 and Noah Foust 5-11, 235 as return starters. Wyatt’s brother Craig is the other lineman at 6-1 225 with Nick Gustafson 6-5 220 in at End. DL Colby Tracy 6-1 255 anchors the line with 2 LBs back and a safety. They have a big game this week with always competitive Northern (5-2), who at 2-1 are tied with West Perry a half game behind Ship and Mifflin Country at 3-1. Should mention Coach Eric Foust is in his 17th season at the helm.
29 Lancaster Catholic 4A 7-0
Lancaster Catholic remained undefeated with an easy 43-0 win against outmanned Octorara (2-5). Octorara came over from the ChesMont-American Conference this year where they play as a 4A in the Lancaster Lebanon Section-3 alongside a number of weaker teams, Lancaster Catholic not being among that number. LC had their way with them rushing for 348 yards with Luke Miller getting 112 yards on 4 carries for touchdowns of 79, 6 and 8 yards. Qb Gavin Sullivan completed 8 of 13 passes for 129 yards. With Coach Todd Mealy at the helm, look for the Crusaders to rejoin the top 4A teams in the district (state titles 2009, 15-1 and 2011, 16-0) in a few years knowing what he did at Penn Manor in Section 1, going 56-35 from 2007 to 2014. They are already averaging 36ppg with his forte, defense, being center stage at 9ppg. Keep your eye on Lancaster Catholic. They’re at Northern Lebanon (1-6) Friday who is allowing 40ppg against an average of 14 scored per game.
30 Delone Catholic 2A 7-0
Delone snapped a 9 year losing streak against rival Bermudian Springs (4-3. 3A), winning 17-7 in a defensive game that kept them atop the York Adams-3 in a tie with York Catholic (4-0, 7-0). They meet in two weeks in York. Talk about a defensive struggle! Neither side gave much with Delone edging the Eagles 181 to 165 in total yards. Logan Brown led the Squires with 62 yards on 12 carries. As with most defensive struggles it was decided by a turnover when Delone recovered a fumble and returned it 30 yards for the score. Bermudian Springs is always a tough out for Delone down in southern Pennsylvania with their only losses being to Delone, York Catholic 10-7 and 5A Shippensburg (6-1) 37-17. 1A Fairfield at 1-5 is next as the Squires pursue their first undefeated season since 2003.
TIE
Altoona 6A 3-4
Altoona came crashing down to Earth following the exhilaration of their 49-42 double overtime win in Carlisle two weeks ago when visiting Central Dauphin laid a 49-7 thumping on them, pounding out 484 total yards of offense. With Cumberland Valley, State College and Harrisburg left on the schedule, Carlisle could be their last win of the season. But a bright spot for them was the steady play of running back Mitchell Lawhead, rushing for 100 yards while Connor McCarthy completed 7 of 18 passes for 94 yards. Good seeing Altoona back in the Mid Penn where division action continues this week at Cumberland Valley (1-6), fresh off their first win of the season against Carlisle 35-14. How weird is that to say?
OTHERS:
District 3
Mid Penn Conference
Carlisle 6A 3-4, The Herd lost their thunder losing 4 straight since the 3-0 start, now home to CD East in what could be their last shot at another win with Harrisburg and rival Chambersburg pending.
West Perry 4A 6-1, finally played someone, and lost to Shippensburg, at Big Spring who just ended a 4 game slide.
Berks Inter Country
Wyomissing 3A 6-1, Wing-T Qb Ben Terefenko at 70% with a D allowing 11ppg , loss was to Pottsville, at Kutztown then Schuylkill Valley before Berks Catholic.
Lancaster Lebanon League
Conestoga Valley 5A 5-2
CV’s OL is Waverly Thomas 6-5 290, Henok Teklu 6-6 295, Josh Methia 6-1 250, Chris Ballard 6-0 285 and Yodhe Desta 6-3 290. Didn’t help losing to Cocalico 49-14 with Manheim Central up next.
Solanco 5A 5-2, still a good team where 5 pts separate them from 7-0, home to Lampeter Strasburg who skunked them last year 46-0!
Elizabethtown 5A 4-3, recovered from the mid-season grind of Weiser, Cocalico and Manheim Central to win their last 2, home to Penn Manor.
York Adams
York Catholic 2A 7-0, home to hapless Hanover then Delone. Toughest come (came) to them, Littlestown 22-19, Bermudian Spgs 10-7, Delone on 10/19.
Northeastern 5A 4-3, quirky team upset Red Lion with Central York and York next at home.
Gettysburg 4A 5-2, great back in Ammon Johnson with quality skill that hung 35 on McDevitt, strong D-Front (11ppg), home to Suburban.
Dover 5A 5-2, won 5 straight tied with Gburg in YA-2 with red hot 6A Mifflin County next.
D4
Danville 3A 6-1, vet team upset 41-40 by Loyalsock Twp prevents 7-0, at Milton, get Southern Columbia at home 10/26.
D5/6
Mifflin County 3-4, decent team masked by 2 close calls, won last 3.
Hollidaysburg 5A 3-4, only State High blew them out, at 4-3 struggling Tyrone coming off Bellefonte, Bald Eagle and Clearfield losses!
Bald Eagle 3A 7-0, score 43 allow 13 now home to undefeated Clearfield.
Ligonier Valley 2A 7-0, still rolling (13-1, lost 2A state quarterfinal to Dunmore) scoring 52 allowing 12 with Northern Cambria (6-1) next in a Heritage Conference showdown.
Chestnut Ridge 2A 7-0, cruising with an awesome D at 8ppg with toughest vs Bishop McCort, Bishop Guilfoyle and Richland Twp coming up.
Richland Township 2A 7-0, another Laurel Highlands team blowing everyone away by 48 to 11 with Bedford next at home.
