Districts 3, 4, 5, 6
1 Manheim Central 5A 8-0
The Baron’s defense held Conestoga Valley to 10 first downs and 188 total yards (66 rushing) in a 48-7 demolition of the Bucks who at 3-1 in the conference and 5-2 overall, were thought to be a challenger before the game. But, playing Cocalico (7-2), where they lost 49-14 and Central back to back will definitely sort things out! CV had no answer for running back Tyler Flick who rushed for 286 of their 508 total yards of offense, with touchdown runs of 30, 50, 27 and 42 yards. Up next is 0-8 Garden Spot before the finale at home to Solanco’s inconsistent but dangerous Golden Mules who are currently 7th in the 5A standing with Manheim Central holding the top spot.
2 Harrisburg 6A 7-1
Kane Everson had an awesome first half, completing 9 of 10 passes for 206 yards then sat with the Cougars holding a 12-6 lead over the vastly improved Chambersburg Trojans. He left with an apparent shoulder injury of unknown severity. But the Cougar D as always was there, holding Chambersburg to 232 total yards (20 rushing) while closing things out with 2 Pick-6’s, one by Donte Kent for 49 yards in the 3rd quarter, the other by Elijah Scott of 48 yards in the 4th.. Of note, Harrisburg was down to their 3rd quarterback in safety/receiver Rynell Gantt who had never taken a snap, with Everson out and #2 John McNeil already sidelined for the game. Still, you got to credit to Chambersburg for holding Harrisburg to 302 total yards on the road. Slumping Carlisle (3-5) is next, losers of their last 5 games. Harrisburg currently hold the top seed.
3 State College 6A 7-1
This was a strange game with one momentum swing after another where the decision was finalized, sort of, when sophomore running back Dresyn Green scored on a 58 yard run at the 3:55 mark of the 4th quarter to give SC a 35-21 lead at Central Dauphin. But CD came right back, scoring on a Noah Hoffman touchdown toss to make it exciting with just over a minute to go. And that’s where it ended. What had to deflate Central Dauphin occurred well before this, when, after taking a 7-0 1st quarter lead, SC’s Tommy Friberg connected with Green for a 63 yard score, followed by their returning a CD fumble 30 yards for another touchdown, all in the span of 20 seconds to end the 1st quarter. Their new weapon, Dresyn Green, rushed for 154 yards on 16 carries (2 scores) and had 3 receptions for another 64 yards. Friberg was strong, completing 10 of 13 passes for 132 yards with 2 touchdowns. The Rams outgained them 386 to 349 but were undone by the turnover returned for a score. SC is home to Altoona who lost 4 of their last 5 games after a 2-1 start, then closes at Cumberland Valley (2-6) who showed a pulse the last 2 weeks.
4 Bishop McDevitt 4A 7-1
McDevitt had another easy Mid Penn-Keystone Division win last week, this time against Hershey (2-6) where they rolled out 558 total yards of offense (312r-246p) in a 38-3 win. Its pretty amazing seeing them top the 500 yard mark almost every week! Some stats; Chase Diehl completed 20 of 30 passes for 230 yards (2 Tds) with Nazir Burnett and Mario Easterly accounting for 82 and 77 yards respectively. CJ Reyes-Diggs was unstoppable, gaining 224 yards on 19 carries for 2 touchdowns. Hershey was held to 84 total yards. 1-7 Mechanicsburg is next averaging 8ppg. Some of the locals feel it’s time for McDevitt to move back to the Mid Penn Commonwealth for some real competition. Wouldn’t that be something, seeing them again in the mix with State College, Cumberland Valley, Central Dauphin, Harrisburg, CD East and a rejuvenated Chambersburg program.
5 Manheim Township 6A 7-1
Manheim Township got an unexpected battle from quirky Cedar Crest (4-4) with Jack Rodenberger saving the day kicking a 35 yards field goal as time expired to force overtime. Even here the Streaks got a nod from the football gods following their drive when Qb Harrison Kirk fumbled into the end zone where running back Cam Horst recovered for the 16-10 win. Nice first year for Kirk, completing 59% for 1610 yards with a 13/3 ratio. Jaden Floyd was out with an injury while Horst carried the load for 82 yards on 14 carries. Credit the Falcons for bringing it, banging out 168 on the ground with Qb Logan Horn pecking away with 12 completions on 23 attempts for 118 yards, then rushing for another 60 yards. He makes things exciting in Lebanon! Nice D effort too, holding Township to 90 yards rushing. The Streaks are home Friday against J.P. McCaskey, currently with the 2 seed.
6 Central Dauphin 6A 5-3.
Fullback Adam Burkhart had an impressive performance against State College, rushing for 196 yards on 29 carries for 3 touchdowns with Tyler Leisher adding another 76 on 10 carries. But as the Rams fell short at home, losing to the Lions in a key division game 35-28. See SC above. Noah Hoffman completed 12 of 18 for 86 yards and a score as they piled up 386 yards of offense to SC’s 349. They close out the season with two road games, playing at Chambersburg Friday then archrival CD East the following week and Landis Field. They currently have the 4th seed.
7 Berks Catholic 4A 6-2
Berks Catholic’s special teams put the first two touchdowns on the board when Abdul MacFoy returned the opening kickoff 68 yards and Jaden Bookser fell on a blocked punt in the end zone, propelling the Saints to a 41-0 halftime lead and yet another mercy rule win against Schuylkill Valley 41-7. Like Southern Columbia and McDevitt in Harrisburg, it’d be nice seeing them move to a conference where there is real competition that clearly doesn’t exist now. Easier said than done! BC is presently 3-0, winning by an average score of 53-5 against Hamburg, Kutztown and SV. 1-7 Fleetwood is next who has already lost to Hamburg and SV! BC holds the 4th seed.
8 Warwick 5A 6-2
Warwick did a number on Wilson last week, taking them apart to the tune of 601 total yards of offense, repeat….601 total yards of offense in a surprisingly easy 38-12 rout of the Lancaster Lebanon Section-1 alpha. Sophomore Qb Joey McCracken (6-2, 170) unleashed their vaunted air attack, throwing for touchdowns of 53, 59, 85, 99 and 85 yards on the way to a record setting 530 yards passing. Wow! And you gotta wonder what coach said at half time with the Warriors leading 17-12, then reeling off 21 3rd quarter points to blow it open. The win keeps them atop the LL-1 at 4-1 with Wilson and Manheim Township at 3-1. Conestoga Valley (10th seed) is next. They’re a capable 5-3 team coming off back-to-back losses to power teams Cocalico and Manheim Central. Warwick currently holds the 6th slot for 5A Districts.
9 Southern Columbia 2A 8-0
Southern continued their march through the Heartland Conference unchallenged, dismantling Shikellamy 69-7 to go 4-0 in conference action. Part of the reason they are so dominant is a lineup filled with record setting players. Quarterback Stone Hollenbach is their All Time leading passer, junior Julian Fleming their All Time leading receiver while another junior, linebacker Cal Haladay is their All Time leading tackler. Conference action continues at home against Hughesville who at 0-8 is struggling, scoring 80 points the entire season. Come on Southern, play someone in your non-conference games. Berks Catholic did in scheduling Exeter Twp, Central Dauphin, McDonogh and Malvern Prep.
10 Cocalico 5A 6-2
A half time score of 48-0 tells the story with Cocalico winning another LL-2 win against Garden Spot (0-8), 55-21. Qb Noah Palm ran for 120 yards and 4 touchdowns while slot back Ronald Zalm had 2 touchdowns and 98 yards rushing as the Eagles pounded out 284 yards on the ground in the 1st half alone before letting the subs play the entire 2nd half. While they have a good one in Qb Palm, they are one-dimensional, running 77% of the time. But it’s hard arguing 259 yards rushing a game. At 3-1 in-conference and currently holding the 2nd seed, they remain a game behind 4-0 Manheim Central (top seed) who defeated them 41-23 in Denver. This week sees them playing a near mirror image of themselves in Solanco (6-2) who also play old school football, rushing 91% of the time. And they do it well, averaging 416 yards per game! These Mules have some kick and are currently 7th seeded behind 2nd place Cocalico, well positioned for the 5A postseason.
11 Cedar Cliff 5A 6-2
The 5th seeded Colts had no trouble with Mechanicsburg (1-7), routing the Wildcats 56-7 to go 4-0 in the MP-Keystone, a game ahead of Bishop McDevitt. Jaheim Morris had 208 yards rushing, bringing his season total to 1098 yards while Qb Chris Dare stayed super-hot, completing 13 of 16 passes for 156 yards. His 3 game totals are 35 of 43 for 525 yards, with a Td-Pick ratio of 8 to 0. At 68% completion percentage, throwing for 1728 yards on the season with a Td-Pick stat of 28 to 2, he is one of the more talented quarterbacks in central Pennsylvania. This week’s action finds them in Harrisburg for a key division game against co-leader Susquehanna Township (4-0, 6-2), who have been on fire since opening the season with losses to Manheim Central and Milton Hershey.
12 Chambersburg 6A 6-2
Chambersburg gave it a run staying right with highly regarded Harrisburg in a bitter division matchup before falling 28-13. See Harrisburg above. Brady Stumbaugh was pretty much the entire attack, completing 14 of 24 passes for 192 yards, while the Cougars held their powerful ground game in check, limiting the Mid Penn-Commonwealth’s leading rusher Keyshawn Jones to 19 yards on 11 carries! Without a running game, Harrisburg pinned their ears, pressuring Stumbaugh into too many hurries and 2 Pick 6’s. Still, The Trojans held Harrisburg to 98 yards rushing and 302 total yards. What the game showed us is Chambersburg has become a competitor in the division which is saying something. It also confirmed Harrisburg has a rock solid rush defense. Next up is another tough divisional game against Central Dauphin, coming in with some attitude following their narrow loss at home to State College. The Trojans hold the 5th seed.
13 Wilson 6A 5-3
Qb Anthony Futrick completed 17 of 31 passes for 214 yards but it wasn’t enough as the Warriors of Warwick pounded them 38-12 in a critical league game. The Bulldogs mustered 359 total yards that might win a number of games but not against Warwick’s high flying aerial assault that blitzed them for 530 yards through the air with a sophomore quarterback. Sophomore! Wilson better adjust or be scrambling the way the entire SEC is addressing Alabama’s quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. They’re home Friday with the 7th seed to schizophrenic Cedar Crest (4-4, 11th seed) who’s coming off a 16-10 overtime loss to Manheim Township. CC has some weapons but this is probably the wrong week to be going into West Lawn after leaving it on the field against Township in ot….against a Wilson bunch coming off an embarrassing loss.
14 Middletown 3A 7-1
Middletown jumped on winless Trinity for a 35-0 half time lead before pulling the starters then settling in for an easy 42-0 win. The tandem backfield of Jose Lopez and Richie Sykes led the charge again, rushing for 104 and 116 yards respectively. M-town finished with 480 total yards of offense while holding the Shamrocks to 110 total yards. They’re at East Pennsboro next who is really struggling at 3-5, coming off last year’s 9-3 outing in a major rebuild. They finish up at home against Palmyra (3-1, 7-1, 9th seed-5A) who’s a game back after losing last week to Milton Hershey. Middletown currently has the 2nd seed behind resurgent and undefeated Lancaster Catholic.
15 Red Lion 6A 6-2
Zach Mentzer completed 13 of 20 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 45 yards in a 48-21 rout of New Oxford. Randy Fizer caught 5 of those passes for 104 yards with 2 scores, one rushing, allowing the Lions to remain deadlocked with York, Central York and Dallastown at 4-1 atop the York Adams-1. Spring Grove (1-7) is next, a town that used to be called Paper Town that gave off an incredibly foul odor when the mill was cooking all the way over to the mountains! After Spring Grove, the Lions conclude the regular season at D-town. Red Lion currently holds the 6th seed.
1 Manheim Central 5A 8-0
The Baron’s defense held Conestoga Valley to 10 first downs and 188 total yards (66 rushing) in a 48-7 demolition of the Bucks who at 3-1 in the conference and 5-2 overall, were thought to be a challenger before the game. But, playing Cocalico (7-2), where they lost 49-14 and Central back to back will definitely sort things out! CV had no answer for running back Tyler Flick who rushed for 286 of their 508 total yards of offense, with touchdown runs of 30, 50, 27 and 42 yards. Up next is 0-8 Garden Spot before the finale at home to Solanco’s inconsistent but dangerous Golden Mules who are currently 7th in the 5A standing with Manheim Central holding the top spot.
2 Harrisburg 6A 7-1
Kane Everson had an awesome first half, completing 9 of 10 passes for 206 yards then sat with the Cougars holding a 12-6 lead over the vastly improved Chambersburg Trojans. He left with an apparent shoulder injury of unknown severity. But the Cougar D as always was there, holding Chambersburg to 232 total yards (20 rushing) while closing things out with 2 Pick-6’s, one by Donte Kent for 49 yards in the 3rd quarter, the other by Elijah Scott of 48 yards in the 4th.. Of note, Harrisburg was down to their 3rd quarterback in safety/receiver Rynell Gantt who had never taken a snap, with Everson out and #2 John McNeil already sidelined for the game. Still, you got to credit to Chambersburg for holding Harrisburg to 302 total yards on the road. Slumping Carlisle (3-5) is next, losers of their last 5 games. Harrisburg currently hold the top seed.
3 State College 6A 7-1
This was a strange game with one momentum swing after another where the decision was finalized, sort of, when sophomore running back Dresyn Green scored on a 58 yard run at the 3:55 mark of the 4th quarter to give SC a 35-21 lead at Central Dauphin. But CD came right back, scoring on a Noah Hoffman touchdown toss to make it exciting with just over a minute to go. And that’s where it ended. What had to deflate Central Dauphin occurred well before this, when, after taking a 7-0 1st quarter lead, SC’s Tommy Friberg connected with Green for a 63 yard score, followed by their returning a CD fumble 30 yards for another touchdown, all in the span of 20 seconds to end the 1st quarter. Their new weapon, Dresyn Green, rushed for 154 yards on 16 carries (2 scores) and had 3 receptions for another 64 yards. Friberg was strong, completing 10 of 13 passes for 132 yards with 2 touchdowns. The Rams outgained them 386 to 349 but were undone by the turnover returned for a score. SC is home to Altoona who lost 4 of their last 5 games after a 2-1 start, then closes at Cumberland Valley (2-6) who showed a pulse the last 2 weeks.
4 Bishop McDevitt 4A 7-1
McDevitt had another easy Mid Penn-Keystone Division win last week, this time against Hershey (2-6) where they rolled out 558 total yards of offense (312r-246p) in a 38-3 win. Its pretty amazing seeing them top the 500 yard mark almost every week! Some stats; Chase Diehl completed 20 of 30 passes for 230 yards (2 Tds) with Nazir Burnett and Mario Easterly accounting for 82 and 77 yards respectively. CJ Reyes-Diggs was unstoppable, gaining 224 yards on 19 carries for 2 touchdowns. Hershey was held to 84 total yards. 1-7 Mechanicsburg is next averaging 8ppg. Some of the locals feel it’s time for McDevitt to move back to the Mid Penn Commonwealth for some real competition. Wouldn’t that be something, seeing them again in the mix with State College, Cumberland Valley, Central Dauphin, Harrisburg, CD East and a rejuvenated Chambersburg program.
5 Manheim Township 6A 7-1
Manheim Township got an unexpected battle from quirky Cedar Crest (4-4) with Jack Rodenberger saving the day kicking a 35 yards field goal as time expired to force overtime. Even here the Streaks got a nod from the football gods following their drive when Qb Harrison Kirk fumbled into the end zone where running back Cam Horst recovered for the 16-10 win. Nice first year for Kirk, completing 59% for 1610 yards with a 13/3 ratio. Jaden Floyd was out with an injury while Horst carried the load for 82 yards on 14 carries. Credit the Falcons for bringing it, banging out 168 on the ground with Qb Logan Horn pecking away with 12 completions on 23 attempts for 118 yards, then rushing for another 60 yards. He makes things exciting in Lebanon! Nice D effort too, holding Township to 90 yards rushing. The Streaks are home Friday against J.P. McCaskey, currently with the 2 seed.
6 Central Dauphin 6A 5-3.
Fullback Adam Burkhart had an impressive performance against State College, rushing for 196 yards on 29 carries for 3 touchdowns with Tyler Leisher adding another 76 on 10 carries. But as the Rams fell short at home, losing to the Lions in a key division game 35-28. See SC above. Noah Hoffman completed 12 of 18 for 86 yards and a score as they piled up 386 yards of offense to SC’s 349. They close out the season with two road games, playing at Chambersburg Friday then archrival CD East the following week and Landis Field. They currently have the 4th seed.
7 Berks Catholic 4A 6-2
Berks Catholic’s special teams put the first two touchdowns on the board when Abdul MacFoy returned the opening kickoff 68 yards and Jaden Bookser fell on a blocked punt in the end zone, propelling the Saints to a 41-0 halftime lead and yet another mercy rule win against Schuylkill Valley 41-7. Like Southern Columbia and McDevitt in Harrisburg, it’d be nice seeing them move to a conference where there is real competition that clearly doesn’t exist now. Easier said than done! BC is presently 3-0, winning by an average score of 53-5 against Hamburg, Kutztown and SV. 1-7 Fleetwood is next who has already lost to Hamburg and SV! BC holds the 4th seed.
8 Warwick 5A 6-2
Warwick did a number on Wilson last week, taking them apart to the tune of 601 total yards of offense, repeat….601 total yards of offense in a surprisingly easy 38-12 rout of the Lancaster Lebanon Section-1 alpha. Sophomore Qb Joey McCracken (6-2, 170) unleashed their vaunted air attack, throwing for touchdowns of 53, 59, 85, 99 and 85 yards on the way to a record setting 530 yards passing. Wow! And you gotta wonder what coach said at half time with the Warriors leading 17-12, then reeling off 21 3rd quarter points to blow it open. The win keeps them atop the LL-1 at 4-1 with Wilson and Manheim Township at 3-1. Conestoga Valley (10th seed) is next. They’re a capable 5-3 team coming off back-to-back losses to power teams Cocalico and Manheim Central. Warwick currently holds the 6th slot for 5A Districts.
9 Southern Columbia 2A 8-0
Southern continued their march through the Heartland Conference unchallenged, dismantling Shikellamy 69-7 to go 4-0 in conference action. Part of the reason they are so dominant is a lineup filled with record setting players. Quarterback Stone Hollenbach is their All Time leading passer, junior Julian Fleming their All Time leading receiver while another junior, linebacker Cal Haladay is their All Time leading tackler. Conference action continues at home against Hughesville who at 0-8 is struggling, scoring 80 points the entire season. Come on Southern, play someone in your non-conference games. Berks Catholic did in scheduling Exeter Twp, Central Dauphin, McDonogh and Malvern Prep.
10 Cocalico 5A 6-2
A half time score of 48-0 tells the story with Cocalico winning another LL-2 win against Garden Spot (0-8), 55-21. Qb Noah Palm ran for 120 yards and 4 touchdowns while slot back Ronald Zalm had 2 touchdowns and 98 yards rushing as the Eagles pounded out 284 yards on the ground in the 1st half alone before letting the subs play the entire 2nd half. While they have a good one in Qb Palm, they are one-dimensional, running 77% of the time. But it’s hard arguing 259 yards rushing a game. At 3-1 in-conference and currently holding the 2nd seed, they remain a game behind 4-0 Manheim Central (top seed) who defeated them 41-23 in Denver. This week sees them playing a near mirror image of themselves in Solanco (6-2) who also play old school football, rushing 91% of the time. And they do it well, averaging 416 yards per game! These Mules have some kick and are currently 7th seeded behind 2nd place Cocalico, well positioned for the 5A postseason.
11 Cedar Cliff 5A 6-2
The 5th seeded Colts had no trouble with Mechanicsburg (1-7), routing the Wildcats 56-7 to go 4-0 in the MP-Keystone, a game ahead of Bishop McDevitt. Jaheim Morris had 208 yards rushing, bringing his season total to 1098 yards while Qb Chris Dare stayed super-hot, completing 13 of 16 passes for 156 yards. His 3 game totals are 35 of 43 for 525 yards, with a Td-Pick ratio of 8 to 0. At 68% completion percentage, throwing for 1728 yards on the season with a Td-Pick stat of 28 to 2, he is one of the more talented quarterbacks in central Pennsylvania. This week’s action finds them in Harrisburg for a key division game against co-leader Susquehanna Township (4-0, 6-2), who have been on fire since opening the season with losses to Manheim Central and Milton Hershey.
12 Chambersburg 6A 6-2
Chambersburg gave it a run staying right with highly regarded Harrisburg in a bitter division matchup before falling 28-13. See Harrisburg above. Brady Stumbaugh was pretty much the entire attack, completing 14 of 24 passes for 192 yards, while the Cougars held their powerful ground game in check, limiting the Mid Penn-Commonwealth’s leading rusher Keyshawn Jones to 19 yards on 11 carries! Without a running game, Harrisburg pinned their ears, pressuring Stumbaugh into too many hurries and 2 Pick 6’s. Still, The Trojans held Harrisburg to 98 yards rushing and 302 total yards. What the game showed us is Chambersburg has become a competitor in the division which is saying something. It also confirmed Harrisburg has a rock solid rush defense. Next up is another tough divisional game against Central Dauphin, coming in with some attitude following their narrow loss at home to State College. The Trojans hold the 5th seed.
13 Wilson 6A 5-3
Qb Anthony Futrick completed 17 of 31 passes for 214 yards but it wasn’t enough as the Warriors of Warwick pounded them 38-12 in a critical league game. The Bulldogs mustered 359 total yards that might win a number of games but not against Warwick’s high flying aerial assault that blitzed them for 530 yards through the air with a sophomore quarterback. Sophomore! Wilson better adjust or be scrambling the way the entire SEC is addressing Alabama’s quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. They’re home Friday with the 7th seed to schizophrenic Cedar Crest (4-4, 11th seed) who’s coming off a 16-10 overtime loss to Manheim Township. CC has some weapons but this is probably the wrong week to be going into West Lawn after leaving it on the field against Township in ot….against a Wilson bunch coming off an embarrassing loss.
14 Middletown 3A 7-1
Middletown jumped on winless Trinity for a 35-0 half time lead before pulling the starters then settling in for an easy 42-0 win. The tandem backfield of Jose Lopez and Richie Sykes led the charge again, rushing for 104 and 116 yards respectively. M-town finished with 480 total yards of offense while holding the Shamrocks to 110 total yards. They’re at East Pennsboro next who is really struggling at 3-5, coming off last year’s 9-3 outing in a major rebuild. They finish up at home against Palmyra (3-1, 7-1, 9th seed-5A) who’s a game back after losing last week to Milton Hershey. Middletown currently has the 2nd seed behind resurgent and undefeated Lancaster Catholic.
15 Red Lion 6A 6-2
Zach Mentzer completed 13 of 20 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 45 yards in a 48-21 rout of New Oxford. Randy Fizer caught 5 of those passes for 104 yards with 2 scores, one rushing, allowing the Lions to remain deadlocked with York, Central York and Dallastown at 4-1 atop the York Adams-1. Spring Grove (1-7) is next, a town that used to be called Paper Town that gave off an incredibly foul odor when the mill was cooking all the way over to the mountains! After Spring Grove, the Lions conclude the regular season at D-town. Red Lion currently holds the 6th seed.
