District-3 Top 20: (Oct 22, 23 games 2021)
All are 6A unless marked otherwise, last week’s rank in parenthesis
1 Governor Mifflin 5A 7-0 (1)
One of the more impressive aspects of Governor Mifflin this year is they are at or near last year’s averages despite playing arguably a more difficult schedule. Last year’s slate was tough enough playing Wilson (6-1), Exeter (6-2) and Berks Catholic (5-3) in the regular season, then Mechanicsburg (8-1) and Pine Richland (11-0) in the postseason. The average score in those games was 56-18 counting Pine Richland, 48-44. This year’s schedule of quality teams includes York (6-1), Wilson (5-3), Harrisburg (7-1), Episcopal (4-2) and Exeter (5-3). They won all those games by an average score of 50-16. Last week was more of the same, throttling winless Muhlenberg (0-7) 49-0. It was 42-0 at the half. Ty Harter’s 40-yard punt return was the only score in the second half. Nick Singleton had 3 touchdowns and 101 rush yards in the first quarter. He has 1394 for the season, a 13.28 yards per carry average. Boone (5-3) is next at Mifflin who has not had a home game since Harrisburg September 17th.
2 Central York 7-0 (2)
Here’s another game of little note where Central York sent reeling Northeastern (1-7) to their sixth consecutive defeat, 53-7. Despite having good numbers back this year, it hasn’t happened for the Bobcats who returned four to the line plus the quarterback. Coach Joe Scepanski noted they graduated their two most explosive players. But the problems go beyond offense, losing the last six games by a average score of 39-11. Meanwhile, Central York keeps rolling along, averaging 46ppg while allowing 14. Against the quality on their schedule, they’ve have road wins at Exeter 35-28, Cumberland Valley 21-3 and Spring Grove 48-17, with a home win against Hempfield 35-21. They currently hold the top seed just ahead of Harrisburg with games remaining at Dallastown and home to York, teams that are also battling for 6A playoff spots, so it could get interesting with two games to go.
3 Bishop McDevitt 4A 6-1 (3)
The trend of top teams whaling lesser opponents continued last week when Bishop McDevitt got their second straight shutout and third in the last four games defeating Milton Hershey 63-0. Since losing to LaSalle, they’ve outscored their opponents 378 to 21! That’s not a misprint. Much of that has to do with a kid you’ll be hearing much about the next few years, freshman quarterback Stone Saunders. He threw for 399 yards last week, completing 7 of 9 attempts with touchdown passes of 36, 79, 37, 51, 38, 38 and 59 yards. He has yet to throw an interception while tossing 30 touchdowns for 1681 yards at 69%. Receiver Kamil Foster caught 3 passes for 146 yards and 2 scores while Rico Scott has 3 receptions for 128 yards and 3 scores. Running back Marquese Williams had 199 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown with 3 receptions for 58 yards and another touchdown. Most of the starters sat at the half or early third leading 49-9 at the half. Look for scores and statistics of this magnitude to continue as they close out the regular season at Red Land (2-6) Friday then home to Hershey (1-7).
4 Harrisburg 7-1 (5)
It looks like Cumberland Valley finally ran out of gas, succumbing to Harrisburg 45-7 and a schedule of teams with a combined record of 45-18. This included Manheim Central (7-1), Central York (7-0), CD East (6-2) and Harrisburg (7-1). The rest were Spring Ford (5-3), Carlisle (5-3) and .500 teams Altoona and State College. CV came out on E for this one, down 25-0 at the half, mustering only 182 yards of offense. Harrisburg’s 285 yards don’t show a 42-yard Pick-6 by Kymir Williams, a 58-yard scoop and score by Terrell Reynolds and Justin Cook’s 102-yard Pick-6. Cook also caught 4 passes for 44 yards. Same for Kyle Williams snagging 6 for 68 yards. Nayquan Prather rushed for 70 yards. Freshman quarterback Shawn Lee is evidently well recovered from injury, completing 15 of 23 passes for 150 yards. He has been out since Manheim Township, missing Governor Mifflin, Carlisle and Altoona before splitting time with junior Zakii Lewis against CD East. Harrisburg and McDevitt are looking set at quarterback for the next three years. State College (4-4) is up next coming to Severance Field for the Cougars last regular season home game.
5 Central Dauphin East 6-2 (6)
The Eastie Boys jumped up a notch in the rankings with a dominating performance against Chambersburg, winning 40-7. East High has morphed into quite a team with a solid defense and diverse offense, well stocked with legit players that can beat you up top or on the ground. Running back Marcel McDaniels fits that bill as demonstrated last week gaining 210 yards on 24 carries with a touchdown, taking his season rushing total to 1015 yards. Tymere Thornton with 82 yards in receptions and 2 touchdowns and Mekhi Flowers with 84 yards receiving are real threats on the flanks. Quarterback Terrance Jackson-Copney threw for touchdowns of 16 and 44 yards, completing 7 of 14 tosses for 152 yards. He also had a 2-yard keeper for six. Not to be outdone, Jekari Rivera-Mouldin had a 46-yard Pick-6 for the defense. They end the season with a flourish playing two 6A playoff hopefuls. First up is bitter rival Central Dauphin Friday, then Carlisle. Both are home games.
6 Central Dauphin 5-1 (5)
CD dropped a few pegs in the rankings based on the play of CD East and Harrisburg, and allowing Altoona 38 points last week in a 42-38 win. Quarterback Max Mosey had an “all-time” game with 6 rushing touchdowns. The last one coming in the final 28 seconds of the game to pull it out. CD just couldn’t hold a lead, despite Mosey throwing for 260 yards and rushing for another 195. Wide outs Zion Allen and Juice Selby were un-guardable with Allen pulling down 3 throws for 114 yards and Selby getting 7 for 70 yards. Fortunately for the Rams they got record performances from the offense since the defense didn’t make the bus! At 4-4, Altoona came into the game averaging 19 points per game! But a win is a win and the Rams can make everything good with the rabid fan base Friday night beating arch rival Central Dauphin East.
7 York (William Penn) 6-1 (7)
Here’s another hot squad that is devouring all comers by an average score of 55 to 21 since the opening loss to Governor Mifflin. That includes a 44-39 road win at Ches-Mont and District-1 power Coatesville (7-1). Last week saw them beat South Western 70-24. This followed the 64-14 win against Red Lion the week before. York came out uninspired in this one, down 17-14 by the end of the first quarter. But thereon it was all York, with the Bearcats erupting for 24 second quarter points then a 32 point second half to blow the Mustangs right out of The Corral (their stadium) with a 56-7 response to the first quarter deficit. Running back Jaheim White was insane, rushing for 415 yards on 22 carriers (7Tds) making him the leading rusher in the District at 1449 yards. Northeastern (1-7) is next at York before the closer at Central York for all the York Adams-1 marbles
8 Wyomissing 3A 8-0 (9)
Blowouts have become the theme of the week, maybe the year with the Spread creating scores at previously unheard of levels. Many of the final scores shown here are actually first half scores. This Wyomissing bunch is used to that despite their running the Wing-T rather than the Spread. But, they pass well when needed with Ben Zechman completing 31 of 50 passes (62%) for 462 yards through 8 games. You know they have it down right when they destroy teams like Pottsville (6-2) 42-14 and Southern Columbia (7-1) 41-20. Last week’s victim was Kutztown, losing 56-6. For the year, Wyomissing is scoring 47ppg and allowing 10. 10! This is especially noteworthy per the aforementioned high scoring Spread offenses proliferating. There is no competition remaining for Wyo in the Berks-2 with home games against Schuylkill Valley (2-6) and a more threatening foe in Conrad Weiser (6-2), currently the 4A 5th seed. What makes them a live wire in many games is quarterback Logan Klitsch (6-3, 195, sr). He’s the quintessential dual threat in the district perhaps the state throwing for 1854 yards at 67% with a 15/5 ration and rushing for 657 yards on 109 carries for another 18 touchdowns.
9 Steelton Highspire 1A 7-0 (10)
Record setting quarterback Alex Erby (6-3, 195), only a sophomore, threw for 392 yards and 5 touchdowns in a 67-22 rout of Camp Hill in a Mid Penn-Capital Division game. For the year, he has completed 77% of his passes with a 30/2 touchdown-interception ratio for 2339 yards! His leading receiver, Tyrone Moore also had a great game with 3 touchdowns and a Pick-6, while Jaeion Perry had 2 scores and 162 yards in receptions. Running back Jakhai Noss had 100 yards rushing. Camp Hill falls to 3-5 with their third blowout loss in a row while the Rollers’ win keeps them deadlocked with Boiling Springs (7-1, 3-0). The Bubblers don’t possess all the Roller’s talents but are a legitimate challenge scoring 45ppg. As fortune would have it, they meet in the regular season final in Steelton. Oct 30th.
10 Warwick 5A 4-3 (11)
Covid issues cancelled Warwick’s game with Solanco last week, giving them an extra week to prepare for free-wheeling Cocalico (5-3), winners of their last three games. It’s a game of great significant for the LL-2 where both are tied and for postseason concerns with Warwick currently holding the 6th seed in a field of 14 while Cocalico has the 4th in the 4A field of 10.
11 Manheim Central 5A 7-1 (12)
Previously, Manheim Central had trouble with balanced attacks, defeating Perkoimen Valley at their place 43-40 and losing at home to Warwick 35-28. They ran into another such offense this week in Conestoga Valley where they had no issues, crushing the Bucks 63-0. Unlike PV and Warwick, CV doesn’t play defense, allowing 27ppg. Still, it was a road win and a critical one staying a game behind Warwick (5-3, 2-0) and Cocalico (5-3, 3-0) in the LL-2 race. Quarterback Judd Novak had an outstanding game completing 8 of 10 passes for 80 yards and 3 touchdowns and rushing for 81 yards with another 2 touchdowns. Wide out Owen Sensenig scored on 2 of his 5 receptions for 53 yards and returned a punt 45 yards for a score. Special teams and defense stood out with Nick Haas getting a 27-yard scoop and score and Kahlen Watt getting a 37-yard Pick-6. This one was over at the half with MC up 56-0. They finish the regular season at home against Elizabethtown (3-5) and Cocalico (5-3, 3-0).
12 Hempfield 5-3 (13)
A number of outlets have Hempfield beating Manheim Township 17-14 as some sort of an upset. A reminder is they already had a season opening win against Dallastown ((5-3) 28-21, a home win against Exeter (5-3) 17-14 and a road win at Warwick (4-3 27-21). What is surprising is how easily and thoroughly they beat Township. It was much worse on the field than the scoreboard with Hempfield rushing for 198 yards and passing for 172. Bear in mind this was at Township. Quarterback Cam Harbaugh was a one man wrecking crew completing 57% of his passes for 172 yards and a touchdown while rushing for another score and 85 more yards. The Black Knight defense played one of their best games of the year holding the Streaks to 149 total yards of offense. We’ll see if they have anything left with everything on the line again this week at home against Wilson (5-3, 3-0), who is one game ahead of them in the LL-1 and also battling for a 6A playoff spot.
13 Manheim Township 5-3 (8)
Township’s four game winning streak came to a crashing halt last week, losing a key Section-1 game with real playoff implications to Hempfield 17-14. Before the game, Township was 6th in a field of 8. Hempfield was 8th with Dallastown 7th. Dallastown also lost. Now the Streaks are in a tie with Hempfield a game behind Wilson in the LL-1 race. Back to the game; while quarterback Hayden Johnson had another solid outing completing 16 of 24 for 115 yards and a touchdown pass, the deep stuff was denied with Penn State commit Anthony Ivey held to 3 catches for 3 yards. No.2 receiver Michael Heckman was also held to 3 receptions for 13 yards, leaving #3 Landon Kennel open for 5 receptions for 55 yards. Leading rushers Nick Good and Isaiah Jones combined had 9 carries for 27 yards. With Township (5-3, 2-1) playing Wilson (5-3, 3-0) in two weeks and Hempfield (5-3, 2-1) playing them this week, each is in control of their own destiny. Township is at McCaskey (2-6) this week.
14 Exeter Township 5A 5-3 (14)
Exeter won a critical road game last week at Berks Catholic (5-3), 33-21, moving into a tie with them and Boone at 2-1 in the Berks-Section 1 behind Governor Mifflin (7-0, 2-0). It was not an easy win with the Eagles turning the Saints away at the 2-yard line late in the fourth quarter, then running out the clock with a final scoring drive. Eric Nangle rushed for 130 yards on 27 carries with a touchdown. Fullback Ty Ypcum had 30 yards and 2 scores while Colin Payne completed 8 of 17 passes for 136 yards, throwing 2 touchdowns. No one is catching Governor Mifflin but they can and likely will win out against Reading then Boone to secure a nice seed for the 5A postseason. Before last week’s win they held the 11th seed in a field of 14.
15 Wilson 5-3 (17)
Wilson has some mo going now with their third straight lopsided win, beating Cedar Crest 49-24. This followed a win the previous week against McCaskey 59-12 and the week before that against Penn Manor 40-6. While the passing game showed a pulse with Brad Johnson completing 6 of 11 passes for 58 yards, the deep threat is still not there. No matter, Johnson at 6-2, 210 turned fullback, rushing for 195 yards on 14 carries with touchdowns of 60 and 44 yards. The actual fullback and he’s one of the best in central Pennsylvania was Jadyn Jones with 162 yards and a touchdown. Checking out special teams finds Cam Jones with a 69-yard punt return and a 91-yard kickoff return. Who needs a deep threat receiver with Cam around? Wilson’s quest for the playoffs continues this week at Hempfield then concludes at home against rival Manheim Township.
16 Cedar Cliff 5A 6-2 (16)
Cedar Cliff returned to the plus side with a 42-14 win against Palmyra, easing the pain of a 56-0 loss at McDevitt the week before. Their three stars shined bright with quarterback Ethan Dorrell completing 12 of 17 passes for 235 yards and touchdowns of 18, 55 and 6 yards. Backfield mate Jontae Morris had another outstanding performance rushing for 221 yards and 3 scores (2, 9, 27 yards) on 26 carries. Leading receiver Trenton Smith set things up with 5 receptions for 130 yards. Milton Hershey is up next. And at 3-5, you might take them for granted. Bad idea knowing Dion Bryant, the Mid Penn’s leading rusher plays for the Spartans. Although Bishop McDevitt held him to 60 yards last week, his season total is 1209, just ahead of Cedar Cliff’s Jontae Morris at 1154 yards.
17 Berks Catholic 4A 5-3 (13)
Despite losing, Berks Catholic played well enough at home against Exeter to hold a 21-20 lead into the fourth quarter before Colin Payne connected with Joey Schlaffer on a 29-yard touchdown pass to eke out the win. BC battled but were turned away midway through the fourth quarter when Exeter made a goal line stand then a final scoring drive to seal it 33-21. Josiah Jordan was huge for BC, finishing with 58 yards rushing and 102 receiving with two touchdowns. With 418 rush yards and 305 in completions, he’s a weapon. But Christian Cacchione is the stat leader at 804 rushing yards and 233 in receptions. Quarterback Mitchell Gatz was held to only 3 completions, but is 65% on the year for 682 yards. Before Exeter they were the #1 seed in the 4A classification and will still hold a high seed finishing at Muhlenberg (0-8) then home against Governor Mifflin.
18 Spring Grove 5A 6-1 (20)
Spring Grove’s program took a step forward in the district winning on the road against a solid Dallastown team 28-21. Before last week, Dallastown was the only team to beat Manheim Township. This was a test of sorts for SG, seeing how they would respond after getting thumped at home by Central York 48-17. They passed with flying colors but it wasn’t easy. Zyree Brooks rushed for 198 yards. At 35 carries and 2 touchdowns, he was a large part of the offense and the winning piece scoring on an 8 yard run with 3 minutes left in the game. At 1386 rush yards for the year, he’s always a large part of the offence. Dtown’s star wide out Larry Johnson (Penn St offer, et al) was held to 25 yards and 3 receptions. The win elevates the Rockets to second in the York Adams-1 at 2-1 behind Central York and York at 3-0. It also further secures the 4th seed for the 5A postseason. They’re at home against Red Lion (2-5) Friday.
19 Shippensburg 5A 8-0 (HM)
This is Ship’s first appearance in the Top 20 where they feature a largely veteran Wing-T team on a 12 game winning streak, having won their last 4 games a year ago. Playing in the Mid Penn-Colonial, they’ve gone unchallenged, winning by an average score of 35-11 since opening with a 7-0 win at Hershey. This puts them atop the Colonial at 7-0 ahead of Waynesboro (6-2, 4-1) who they defeated 33-14 and Northern (5-2, 3-1) who they beat 21-3. They crushed West Perry (4-4, 2-3) last week 48-14. Traevon Kater did the most damage rushing for 105 yards and 2 touchdowns with Amari Kerr adding 76 yards on 3 carries. Linebacker Carter Foust had a 35-yard Pick-6. First year starter Tucker Chamberlin doesn’t throw often by heaved it well against Perry, completing 3 of 4 throws for 102 yards. Offensively, everyone runs away from Anthony Smith, their 6-7, 270-pound defensive end who committed to Minnesota. With two homers left against East Pennsboro (4-4, 2-3) and Greencastle Antrim (3-5, 1-4), the Greyhounds just may get through the regular season unscathed, entering the playoffs as the 2 seed, safely tucked in behind Governor Mifflin.
20 Lampeter Strasburg 4A 7-1 (HM)
The LS-Pioneers broke into the Top 20 after a wakeup call from then 2-4 Garden Spot. Garden Spot’s Spartans came in brimming with confidence at home, coming off consecutive shutouts of Pequea Valley (1-6) 56-0 and Lebanon (0-8) 36-0. And why not. A shutout is a shutout with Pequea held to 57 total yards while the Cedars of Lebanon were held to 58 yards! They came out full of themselves, putting LS in a 17-7 hole. But that’s where the party ended as the big machine that is Lampeter Strasburg (227 rush/game, 143 pass), responded with a 43-point outburst, holding the Spartans to a field goal, winning 50-20. Giovanni Malatesta and Jonathan Mellinger had 80 and 92 yards rushing respectively and a touchdown each with Berkeley Wagner completing 10 of 19 passes for 164 yards and 2 touchdowns. TE/DE Beau Heyser (6-2, 230, sr), a D1 talent who caught 26 passes for 531 yards last year and has 18 for 359 this year had 2 touchdowns and 70 yards on 4 receptions here. LS has Ephrata (5-3, 2-1) at home this week then Lebanon the following. Ephrata has one of the top backs in the LL in Andre Weidman with 1238 yards rushing.
Honorable Mention
All are 6A unless marked otherwise, last week’s rank in parenthesis
Mid Penn
Boiling Springs 3A 7-1 (HM)
The Bubblers won their fourth straight beating Middletown 26-23 when Colin Lunde hit Carson Garvey with a 15-yarder to win it in the last 28 seconds of the game. Camp Hill is next before the showdown at Steel High for the Mid Penn-Capital Division crown.
Waynesboro 5A 6-2 (NR)
Waynesboro ‘s Aidan Mencia rushed for 156 yards and 2 scores while Qb Jaylan Bean accounted for 64 rushing and 59 passing as the Indians shutdown East Pennsboro 28-3, holding them to 81 total yards. At 4-1 they are a game behind Shippensburg in the MP-Colonial race.
Carlisle 5-3 (HM)
Carlisle kept pace with Hempfield, Dallastown and Wilson for the 8th and final seed in 6A with a win at State College 21-14, picking off Jack Morris 3 times and recovered a fumble while holding him to 31% completion rate and 131 passing yards. Altoona (4-4) is next at Carlisle.
Lancaster-Lebanon
Cocalico 4A 5-3 (HM)
Cocalico is another team that’s surging, winning their third straight beating Elizabethtown 49-28. They’re home Friday against Warwick in a game that could decide the LL-2 with Cocalico at 3-0 and Warwick at 2-0, a game ahead of Manheim Central.
Donegal 4A 5-2 (HM)
Donegal bounced back from a 55-0 loss at Lampeter Strasburg (7-1, 3-0) to beat Ephrata (5-3, 2-1) 35-27 at Ephrata. Classy win on the road while shutting down one of the top backs in the league holding Andre Weidman to 50 yards. Donegal should win out with home games against Lebanon (0-8) and Lancaster Catholic (4-4) to secure one of ten seeds in the 4A playoffs.
York-Adams
Kennard Dale 4A 7-1 (HM)
Kennard Dale keeps rolling along with their seventh straight after beating West York 32-7. Wins against Susquehannock (5-3, 2-2) and Eastern York (1-7, 1-4) will secure the York Adams Division-2 title and a mid-level seed in the 4A playoffs.
York Catholic 2A 6-0 (NR)
York Catholic (6-0, 4-0) won again getting their sixth win of the season against Hanover 35-14. They can wrap up the York Adams-3 with a win at always ornery Delone Catholic (4-3. 4-0) who is tied with them atop the YA-1. Delone has won their last 4 after a 0-3 start and is always up for their bitter rival.
Dallastown 6A 5-3 (19)
The Wildcats lost their second home game in a row with the 28-21 loss to Spring Grove last week, jeopardizing their playoff spot in the struggle with Wilson, Carlisle and Hempfield for the final slot. Good luck improving their status this week hosting Central York (7-0, 4-0) who currently holds the top seed. Anything can happen but the Panthers are a hand full!
Berks Inter County
Conrad Weiser 4A 6-2 (HM)
Quarterback Logan Klitsch threw for 308 yards as the Scouts demolished New Oxford (5-3) 48-26 in a non-league game. He’s at 1831 passing and 660 rushing for the year. Wide out Aanjay Feliciano has 918 yards in receptions. They return to conference action Friday against Kutztown (2-6, 0-4) before the great challenge of playing Wyomissing (8-0, 4-0) at their place for the Berks-Section 2 title. Weiser is 3-1, a game out but looking good for a mid-range seed in the 4A postseason.
Fleetwood 5A 5-3 (NR)
Quarterback Tanner Maddocks (Villanova) threw for 140 yards and rushed for 62 getting 3 rushing touchdowns and their second straight road win beating Hamburg 28-26. At 3-2 in the Berks-2 with Wyomissing and Weiser ahead of them, there’s no title possibility. But they can get a 5A playoff spot by winning their last two games against Upper Dauphin (2A, 6-1) of the Mid Penn and rival Kutztown (2-6, 0-4).
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