District 3 Top 25: Nov 18, 2020
District-3 Playoff picture.
6A Central York defeated Delaware Valley 48-27 in the quarterfinals
5A Governor Mifflin declared champ, forfeit win vs Warwick
4A Lampeter Strasburg defeated ELCO 20-3 in the District-3 final
3A Wyomissing defeated Lakeland 47-0 in the quarterfinals
2A Camp Hill lost to Bishop McDevitt (Wyncote) 26-14 in the quarterfinals
1A Steel High defeated Old Forge 39-36 in the quarterfinals
1 Central York 9-0, 6A
You might think a 49-27 score reflects a blowout. In reality Central York was stressed to the point of having to play a four quarter football game to beat Delaware Valley in the Class 6A quarterfinal on DV’s home field. Home field was a factor as the Warriors came out pumped against the well touted Panthers. Taking a closer look at the game; the first quarter was scoreless, but saw the Warriors serve notice picking off Beau Pribula on the first play of the game. They traded scores in the second quarter with DV hitting pay dirt first on an Aiden Oliver to Jason Henderson 17 yard score. Pribula followed suit connecting with Judah Tomb for a six yard score at the 9:01 mark. Oliver followed this with a 27 yarder to Henderson again with Pribula doing the same on a 22 yard toss to Tomb near the end of the second quarter. They again traded scores entering the third quarter where DV took a 21-20 lead after blocking an extra point attempt. And that’s as good as it got for the Warriors. Like the Rollers of Steelton Highspire, trading points with Central York is a bad idea as they simply have too many weapons. That was the case here. The Panther explosion started when Judah Tomb, one of the top receivers in the state, returned a punt 82 yards near the end of the third, followed by Beau Pribula engineering a few quick drives, scoring on 13 and 2 yard runs to open a 42-21 lead with 9:47 left in the game. Talk about flipping a switch! A 3 yard run by Paulie Weinrick pulled DV to 42-27 (missed extra point) before Pribula got loose again for a back breaking 75 yard touchdown sprint. He finished the game with 118 yards rushing, scoring on runs of 1, 13, 1 and 75 yards. He also completed 10 of 16 passes for 116 yards with touchdowns of 6 and 22 yards. Not a bad day. Judah Tomb had a great game, catching five passes for 68 yards including both of Pribula’s touchdowns. He also had a 35 yard punt return that set up a second half score, an interception and the recovery of a second half onside kick! Isaiah Sturgis had a quiet 105 yards on 15 carries. They advance to play McDowell (7-0, D-10) who hasn’t played since Oct 30th. Covid related issues caused the cancellation of games with both Erie High and Pittsburgh Central Catholic, meaning they advanced to the state semifinal on the strength or rather weakness of two forfeit wins. What a strange season this has become. The Trojans are a balanced offense with solid quarterbacking from Chris Juchno (6-2, 210, sr) who if I got this right from a few online sites completed 80 of 117 passes for 928 yards, a 68% clip. Justo Rivera and Taha Ramahi are the primary rushers. Their last game was against Cathedral Prep, a 24-6 win, where Juchno completed 20 of 26 for 182 yards with Rivera rushing for 81 yards. Rashawn Tate ran a kickoff back 92 yards for a score while Ramahi ran for two scores. The defense was impressive, holding Cathedral Prep (6-2) to 195 total yards. It’s hard getting a fix on McDowell who only played Baldwin, then Erie and Cathedral twice each. Same with Erie High and Cathedral as their season was in fact a Erie city round-robin. That’s not the case with Central York who crushed all the quality teams on their schedule; Red Lion (5-2) 55-0, Central Dauphin (5-1) 42-15, York High (7-1) 48-21 and Delaware Valley (5-2) 49-27. The game is at Mansion Park Stadium in Altoona, Saturday at 1PM. It’s always fun playing at the Mansion on their fast carpet where both teams will put a lot of athletes on the field to light up the scoreboard.
2 Harrisburg 4-1, 6A.
Barring a late scheduled game, Harrisburg’s season is over.
3 Governor Mifflin 8-0, 5A
Unfortunately for Warwick, the game with Governor Mifflin was cancelled per covid issues, allowing Mifflin to advance by way of a forfeit win while Pine Richland (9-0) was defeating Peters Township 35-0 to win another WPIAL title. It’s probably fair to say covid affects not only the team knocked out of the playoffs but also the one not playing. We’ll see Saturday at 1 in Hollidaysburg where they meet in the Class 5A state semifinal. Governor Mifflin has been discussed through the year so here’s some information on the Rams. They are a veteran group with size and good team speed. Like other great teams, they’ve won their games so effortlessly as to create the impression they play a weak schedule. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Any other year would see Penn Trafford (6-2), Peters Township (8-1), maybe USC (5-2) sitting where Pine is now. But they’re not here because the Rams walloped all three by a combined score of 118-13. They did it with real talent, depth and veterans on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they throw multiple weapons at you in the form of a backfield stocked with four good ball carriers used in a variety of combinations and three good receivers, especially Eli Jochem. At quarterback, who would have thought in 2018 that anyone could fill the void left by Phil Jurkovec’s graduation? Entering Saturday’s game, here we are in 2020 with quarterback Cole Spencer, who at well north of 6000 yards, has done just that. He’s matured from a solid sophomore in 2018 (1469, 57%) to a soaring talent this year, completing 73% of his passes for 2196 yards. He threw for 2294 at 68% last year. In a nutshell, that’s Mifflin’s problem. No matter how good they are, there’s Cole Spencer’s skills plus the multitude of diverse weapons he can distribute to. All this operates behind a veteran and sizeable line that averages 6-1, 260 (Hays, Jackson, Swisher, King, Kearns). Defensively, they are big and mobile with an excellent front seven that’s allowed 82 points all year. That’s key against Mifflin’s Mid Line where Pine looks particularly strong and fast. From the little I’ve actually seen of them, Miller, Halsey and Waranka look good, active, as does the line of Domer, Schurman, Lenz, Jackson. They should be difficult to run against especially rotating in with good depth on offense and defense. They’ll be fresh. Importantly, they have a great staff that might just be too modern for the likes of traditional WPIAL powers like Central Catholic and North Allegheny to keep up with. We’ll see if Governor Mifflin can.
**** West guys, jump in with any corrections and opinions that are welcomed.
4 Warwick 8-1, 5A.
Warwick’s game with Governor Mifflin was cancelling per covid and concludes their highly successful season where they won the LL-Section Three title. It would have been nice seeing a Warwick-Governor Mifflin district final between the two best teams (arguably?) each has ever suited up. Next year will see a major rebuild with the graduation of key components to Warwick’s success. Gone are quarterback Joey McCracken, fullback Colton Miller, wide out Caleb Schmitz, tight end Thatcher Miller and one of the top lineman in the country, Nolan Rucci. The defense graduates well over 300 tackles. If history means anything, they’ll rebuild well although they are graduating exceptional talent.
5 Central Dauphin 5-1, 6A
Season over
6 Wyomissing 9-0, 3A
Wyomissing caught Lakeland way off guard on the opening kickoff with a pooch kick they recovered at the Chiefs 35 yard line to signal the beginning of the end for Lakeland. Seven plays later saw Evan Niedrowski (6-2, 240) blast in from the 1 yard line. Two more turnovers led directly to scores and a 14-0 first quarter lead that ballooned to 33-0 at the half. Despite the game being at Lakeland, they made it easier than it should have been with six turnovers, one being a second quarter Pick-Six by LB Darren Brunner. The bottom line was a 47-0 rout of a decent Lakeland team. Apart from Lakeland miscues, the Spartans had too much athleticism, too much size and way too much speed throughout their team for the Chiefs to manage. Wyo has size and power where they need it; egs….in OT Seamus Filoon (6-4, 310), OT/DT Rashad Williams (6-5, 315), TE Aiden Mack (6-4, 220), FB/MLB Evan Niedrowski and NG Steven Olexy (6-0, 240). Spelling them are OT/DT Garrett Metzger (6-4, 260), OT/DT Jevin Williams (6-4, 280), OT/DT Preston Aikman (5-11, 225), C Alexander Kauffman (6-2, 230), OL/DL Pacen Ziegler (6-3, 230). Their inside starters are C Owen Scargle (6-0, 190), OG/LB Jack Freighter (6-0, 200), OG Mahe Salha (6-1, 175) with great speed to pull and trap. I’ll stop there but all the above played against Lakeland. All their skill people are quick and sure handed, headed by RB/CB Amory Thompson, JRB/SS Jordan Auman and WR/LB Darren Brunner. They’ll attack the perimeter with Thompson and Auman then blast it up the gut with Niedrowski. QB/FS Zach Zechman (6-1, 180) is the complete athlete, recovering a fumble, throwing and running for a touchdown and intercepting a pass against Lakeland! He can fling it (waggle, flood patterns) as needed, completing 65% (37/57, 10-1 ratio) for 465 yards. Danville (8-1, D4) is next in the Class 3A quarterfinals after disposing of Archbishop Carroll (2-3, D12) 42-21. The defense sacked quarterback Nick Lamey 8 times. Danville Qb KJ Riley (6-2, 200, sr, +7000 career yards) hurt the Patriots up top, completing 18 of 32 passes for 269 yards and 3 touchdowns. To date he’s thrown for 1867 yards (62%, 25/6 ratio), often to sophomore Carson Persing (5-8, 155) who can scoot with 50 receptions for 868 yards. He will not likely find that level of success against Wyomissing’s first-team defense and athletic secondary that has not allowed a touchdown all year. The game is Saturday at 1 on Wyomissing’s A-Field where the Spartans are hard to beat.
7 Lampeter Strasburg 9-0, 4A
Once again Lampeter Strasburg fought off a determined foe when ELCO paid a visit looking for a fight. They got one! This one came on the heels of last week’s 56-35 shootout against Conrad Weiser where the Scouts jumped the Pioneers early, trailing 35-28 in the third quarter. ELCO also came out breathing fire, but in a defensive struggle, holding a 3-0 lead at the half. Unfortunately for the Raiders, Rheece Shuey’s 25 yard field goal in the second quarter was all they could get. As a veer team, a ground game and a stiff defense pretty much sizes them up, along with a lot of heart. ELCO couldn’t muster much, completing three passes for 48 yards while rushing for 164. Same with LS who didn’t put anything together until Andrew Reidenbaugh booted 27 and 25 yard field goals in the third quarter for a 6-3 lead. With little help from the offense, ELCO’s defense was stressed, allowing quarterback Sean McTaggart to find Beau Heyser and Austin Stoltzfus against a tiring secondary for scores of 17 and 72 yards in the fourth quarter to put it away. This was a well fought contest between two Lancaster Lebanon League Section champions who played like it. LS moves on to the PIAA semifinal at home against Jersey Shore (9-0, D4) who beat previously undefeated Crestwood (8-1, D2) 26-14.
8 Bishop McDevitt 6-0, 4A
McDevitt’s game with Hershey that would have decided the Mid Penn-Keystone Division was cancelled by Hershey for covid related issues. Barring a late addition to the schedule, that will close out a season that was both successful and frustrating with one of McDevitt’s more exciting teams missing the playoffs. But don’t worry about these guys with a 118-26 won/loss since 2010 and 19 consecutive winning seasons. They graduate Qb Lek Powell who is being recruited by Cornell, Harvard, Holy Cross, Penn, LIU, New Hampshire et al. But when haven’t they had solid quarterbacking? Add in super soph running back Marquese Williams (53/248, injured), promising Cyncir Bowers, another soph, and freshman Ty Kephart. Two outstanding receivers return in Kamil Foster (35/502) and Mario Easterly (34/465). A defense that returns nearly intact that allowed 8ppg will give next year’s offense and new quarterback every chance to develop.
9 Wilson 6-1, 6A
The season is over but what a great recovery from the opening loss at home to Governor Mifflin, winning their last six games scoring 36ppg with a defense allowing 14, minus Mifflin. This was not your typical Bulldog team with a deep threat passing attack. Fortunately, they had an athlete under center in Kaleb Brown who softened the impact of that with his rushing ability, leading the team in rushing at 746 yards on 66 carries. He completed 50 of 94 passes for 567 yards. Next year’s offense will build around their bruising running back Jadyn Jones (6-0, 220, 75/519). Gannon Brubaker may get the nod at quarterback or two sophomores in the hunt. And you’ll see more of sophomore Cam Jones who is a special talent that can play multiple positions. The defense returns a few. Not having a losing season since 1963 says they’ll be back like they were this year after graduating big numbers and their entire line.
10 Steelton Highspire 8-0, 1A
In one of the most exciting games of the postseason, Steelton Highspire rallied from a nine point deficit (36-27) to get the winning score on an untimed down following a holding penalty on the game’s final play. Given a second chance, freshman Alex Erby hit Mehki Flowers on a 5 yard toss to ease past Old Forge 39-36. On the previous play that seemed like the last play of the game with 9 seconds remaining, Erby’s throw into the end zone was batted away with the Old Forge crowd and players erupting, thinking the game was won. But the excitement was short lived, with the penalty giving the Rollers another opportunity. What a comeback, scoring two touchdowns in the final 3 minutes of the game! Looking at the video, it was quite a catch with Flowers leaping high while twisting just enough to get his feet inside the baseline. How about freshman Alex Erby leading the Rollers on a 87 yard drive (1:28 on clock) to the Blue Devil’s 5 yard line after what looked like a game winning punt by Michael Di Gregorio pinned the Rollers on their 8 yard line. What a punt! But Erby is special, completing 17 of 29 for 228 yards with touchdowns of 22, 5, 19 and 40 yards. Not bad for a freshman on the road. Receivers Damein Hammonds (7/79pass yds), Mehki Flowers (4/58py) and Tyrone Moore (2/46py) all had touchdowns, plus running back Odell Green who rushed for 84 yards. Flowers also had an 85 yard kickoff return. Old Forge was a typical District 2 bruiser, gouging Steelton for 235 rush yards, led by fullback Colin Holzman’s 166 yards. Their pass offense was nonexistent, completing 2 of 5 passes for 36 yards. The Rollers were held to 85 yards rushing but kept them honest the entire game after Odell Green had a 75 yard touchdown on the second play from scrimmage. The win earns them a trip to the Class A state semifinals to play perennial powerhouse Bishop Guilfoyle (7-2, D6). The Marauders have been a force from Altoona for years, with consecutive state titles from 2014 through 2016, going 16-0, 16-0 and 15-0. The 2019 edition (12-3) lost in the semifinal to Farrell (14-2) 10-7 in overtime. This year’s team lost to Richland Township (8-2) 19-10 in the opener plus the forfeit loss to Forest Hills. They play out of the Laurel Highland League with teams like Chestnut Ridge, Bedford and Richland Township. This year’s team is veteran, 8 returning to the offense, 10 to the defense. In part this explains their 37ppg average on offense and eye catching 8ppg on defense. Head coach Justin Wheeler is well respected throughout the state, winning the Pa Sports Writers Coach of the Year Award multiple times. Got his 100th win this year! Steel High gets a break this year (per covid) with the semifinal played at their place, Saturday at 1 where they’ll need a disciplined performance against a poised group from Altoona.
11 Manheim Township 5-2, 6A
Township’s game with State College did not materialize last week so that’s a wrap unless a late game is found. Looking ahead to 2021, any team would be a factor with receiver Anthony Ivey (5-11, 180, jr) returning to the fold. He’s listed as the 6th receiver in the state and 20th in the nation depending on which site you view. He committed to Penn State with almost the entire country wanting him including LSU, Pitt, Auburn, Arizona State, etc. The way Penn State is plummeting, 5-14 vs Michigan, OSU, MSU under Franklin, who’d be surprised if he de-commits for another school. Next year sees the Blue Streaks with decent numbers returning on defense and a receiver corps of Ivey, Elijah Fonseca and Michael Heckman. They’ll be looking for a quarterback with first year starter Evan Clark (6-3, 210, 1505p, 340r, 70%, 18/0 ratio….no picks!) graduating. Nice stats for seven games! He’s one of the more under rated single year starting quarterbacks at Township. One of the best kept secrets is their under publicized tradition recently that rivals Wilson’s in developing quality signal callers.
12 York High 7-1, 6A
Season over.
13 Hempfield 4-4, 6A
First year Coach George Eager, the youngest coach in the LL at 33 had a decent first year, building a solid staff in part from his connections at F&M where he was a standout. They also showed clear progress negotiating a difficult schedule that had them on the road at Exeter, a 41-34 overtime loss, and Wilson where they lost competitively 27-12. At 3-1 they got Manheim Township’s full attention in a 49-7 blowout before the Wilson loss, and a deceptive 34-20 loss to Warwick. They finished the year at home routing Cocalico 51-28. They’ll rebuild next year with one of the top junior quarterbacks in central PA, Cameron Harbaugh (6-1, 200). He completed 8 of 138 passes for 1173 yards with an 8/1 Td-Pick ratio and 59% completion rate. Maybe Eager’s the one to awaken the sleeping giant at Landisville.
14 Berks Catholic 5-3, 4A
Season over.
15 New Oxford 6-1, 4A.
Season over.
16 Conrad Weiser 6-1, 4A
Season over.
17 Middletown 4-2, 3A
Season over.
18 ELCO 7-1, 4A
Rheece Shuey’s 25-yard field goal was all the Raiders had at Lampeter Strasburg in a losing 20-3 effort on the road. The thing is, LS couldn’t do much either. But they were the first team of the year to have a total yardage advantage over the Raiders at 398-212. ELCO came in with a 2694 to 1312 total yardage advantage over previous opponents, but hadn’t played a complete team like LS. For next season, ELCO graduates quarterback Braden Bohannon (265py, 975ry, 20 TDs) but return just about everyone else including kicker Rheece Shuey, running backs Jake Williams (64/671), Luke Williams (62/449), Cole Thomas (37/225), Cam Martin (31/225) and good numbers on defense.
19 Red Lion 5-2, 6A
Season over
20 Exeter Township 6-2, 5A
Season over.
21 Mechanicsburg 7-1, 5A
The Wildcats got a much needed win Thursday evening at Central Dauphin East defeating the Panthers 40-20. This was great tonic following last week’s 68-14 playoff loss at Governor Mifflin. Senior Micah Brubaker had a career game, completing 12 of 17 passes for 211 yards with touchdowns of 13, 39 and 2 yards. He rushed for 114 yards and two more scores on 63 and 2 yard runs. They’re home vs Northern (5-3) Friday where a win clinches the Mid Penn-Colonial Division outright. Then they finish up Thanksgiving Day against the other Mechanicsburg team in what should be a good one at Cumberland Valley (3-5).
22 Carlisle 3-3, 6A
Season over
23 Cedar Cliff 4-4, 5A
Season over
24 Conestoga Valley 6-2, 5A
Nothing like going out a winner with five straight W’s after beginning the season 1-2 with non-competitive losses to Warwick 41-0 and Cocalico 33-7. The streak began five weeks ago with a 41-35 win at Manheim Central. Big plays dominated, with the Bucks scoring on 69 and 81 yard runs and a 44 and 60 yard pass. Nate Heck booted field goals of 27 and 39 yards. The win seemed to ignite the Bucks who defeated their last four opponents by an average score of 29-7, including Boone last week 21-7. Once again Booper Johnson (great name) was the go-to back, rushing for 102 yards on 17 carries, taking his season total to 621. Quarterback Macoy Kneisley had a strange outing completing just 7 of 21 passes where three went for touchdowns of 49, 23 and 27 yards. He’s back next year plus a decent core to see if they can build on this year’s success; their first winning season since 2009.
25 Boiling Springs 4-2, 3A
Season over
TIE
Delone Catholic 6-1, 1A
Season over
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