Districts 3, 4, 5, 6
I cut this down to 30 this week as 40 was a big over reach….but fun trying. Also did some reshuffling, a midseason adjustment per results. But as always, the bottom line is about getting information out.
1 State College 6A 5-0
After spotting State College a 21-0 1st quarter lead, Chambersburg came roaring back to outscore the Lions 16-14 before falling short in a 35-16 loss. It was a sloppy game for SC with 2 wild snaps (over heads), 2 muffed punts and 2 lost fumbles with 6 put on the ground! One fumble was returned for a touchdown. Chambersburg came to play, grinding out over 250 yards rushing. For State, Tommy Friberg completed 10 of 12 for 148 yards and 2 scores while rushing for 66 yards. Isaiah Edwards had 74 yards on 13 carries as the Lions rushed for 210 yards and passed for 152. Central Dauphin East (2-3) is next, coming to SC off a 17-16 overtime win against Altoona. Spunky bunch but not enough for the Lions who won’t be looking ahead to Harrisburg. Right?
2 Manheim Central 5A 5-0
The Barons breezed to a dominating 55-0 win at Elizabethtown holding the Bears to 22 net yards rushing and sacking Qb Cole Patrick 5 times. But Central’s Qb Evan Simon was unpressured, completing 11 of 19 passes for 268 yards and 2 Tds. Tyler Flick rushed for 100 yards. Next is their first road test of the year after defeating Warwick and Wilson in Manheim against 9th ranked Cocalico (4-1), coming off a 36-24 loss at 4th rated Manheim Township. MC won both last year, 17-7 in the regular season and 21-20 in the postseason. This one will match Central’s balance and experience against Cocalico’s Flexbone.
3 Harrisburg 6A 4-1
I’ll probably be a broken record with this but the Cougars are not the same team they were a few weeks ago since Kane Everson settled in at the quarterback position. Last week saw him rush for 188 yards while completing 12 of 22 for 182 yards, totaling over half of their offense that garnered 538 yards beating Cumberland Valley 45-0. Next is an important division game and road test at 5th ranked Central Dauphin (4-1) who has discovered a passing game. This one will tell us if anyone in the district can keep up with these Cougars. Cougars-Coatesville again?
4 Manheim Township 6A 5-0
How about first year starting senior quarterback Harrison Kirk topping the 200 yard mark (9 of 17 for 236) in passing (60% thru 5) for the fourth straight week. Before his emergence there was real concern replacing predecessor Luke Emge’s 1885 yards (62%) and 465 rush yards that had alot to do with Township’s district title last year. Jaden Floyd has emerged as well rushing for 132 yards on 18 carries behind a solid line led by seniors Sean Marks 6-1 250, Klye Babcock 6-1 225, Blake Hoffmaster 6-2 220, Ethan Hoffman 6-5 265 and juniors Grayson Kuhns 6-0 210 and Justin Herr 6-0 215. Back to the game; their 24-9 half time lead did not hold up against Cocalico who pounded them for 246 yards rushing to make a game of it only to loss in another exciting crossover game, 36-24. This week sees them back in Section action playing at home to Wilson (3-2) who they beat twice last year. It’s getting exciting in the district with Harrisburg at CD, Manheim Central vs Cocalico, Exeter at Weiser and Township battling Wilson.
5 Central Dauphin 6A 4-1
Central Dauphin blew out to a 35-3 halftime lead then coasted to a 35-17 win at revitalized Carlisle. The win was a milestone for the Rams getting #400 for the program. Quarterback Noah Hoffman continued his maturation completing 4 of 4 passes for 98 yards and a score. He was relieved in the 2nd half by the hot shot freshman Max Mosey (6-0, 155) who completed 5 of 8 for 110 yards and a score. The Ram D allowed 288 yards (subs in 2nd half) while the offence totaled 365 yards, 208 through the air. Friday night’s alright for a fight (or is it Saturday?) with Harrisburg in for an important division battle. There’s always emotion between these two but especially after Harrisburg embarrassed them last year 48-10.
6 Bishop McDevitt 4A 4-1
McDevitt jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the 1st quarter then collapsed, allowing Cedar Cliff to outscore them 50-22 at Ortenzio Stadium (McDevitt’s home) and pull off the 50-43 stunner of the midseason. A broken play led to a Cedar Cliff score with 6:52 seconds left for the tie at 43 all followed by an interception and short drive with Jaheim Morris (152 yards) scoring on a 2 yard burst with 23 seconds left in the game. Qb Chris Diehl was hot, completing 25 of 34 passes for 426 yards and 4 TDs, but suffered the key pick towards the end. Few can cover T’nyis Becker and Nazir Becker who had 186 and 152 yards in receptions respectively. As mentioned last week “if the Colts (Cedar Cliff) don’t get them no one will”. So look for McDevitt to run out beginning with Waynesboro (3-2) Friday, then enter the postseason on a 9-1 roll.
7 Berks Catholic 4A 3-2
BC lost to Malvern Prep 42-32 but wow, what a preseason playing muscle teams Central Dauphin, McDonogh School and Malvern Prep before going into Berks-Inter County Section 2 play where they will dominate. Malvern simply had too much of about everything, especially balance which the Saints don’t have with Qb Drew Gunther passing for over 392 yards (!) for 3 touchdowns to receivers BC couldn’t handle. To date, no one including the Friars have stopped BC’s tandem of Brandon George and Abdul MacFoy who rushed for over 300 yards. Berks-2 play begins Friday at home against Hamburg (2-3) where like Southern Columbia up in District-4, they will win then run the table as the next 4 opponents are 5-15. Then comes nemesis, Wyomissing (4-1), another fierce Reading rival.
8 Wilson 6A 3-2
The Bulldogs ground out 472 yards of total offense (410 rushing) in a 44-0 destruction of winless Penn Manor. Running back Elijah Morales had 172 yards on 15 carries and 2 touchdowns while the Comets were held to 20 yards rushing and 142 total. Next is an important section game against 4th ranked and undefeated Manheim Township who won both of last year’s games, 38-14 in the regular season, 28-14 in the postseason. This is a tough stretch for a number of teams but particularly Wilson playing Township, Hempfield then Warwick. Their primary comp for league honors is Township who’s going through their stretch as well having played Cocalico, Wilson then Warwick the following week.
9 Cocalico 5A 4-1
The Eagles got their first loss of the year losing to Manheim Township 36-24 in a hard fought game. Like the Berks Catholic against Malvern Prep last week, you felt they might be in trouble without a credible passing game. That proved true in both cases although their Flexbone functioned to the tune of 246 yards with Garrett Longenecker gaining 106 yards on 15 carries. Everyone thinks the Flexbone is outdated until they try to defend it! Section-2 action continues against Manheim Central Friday in Denver as the Eagles enter the heart of the schedule having played Township (5-0), now Manheim (5-0) then surprising Conestoga Valley (4-1) who edged Solanco last week.
10 Southern Columbia 2A 5-0
The Tigers got a battle from archrival Central Columbia who fought them to a 20-20 stalemate at the half. Nice. But you can only hold these guys down so long as they rallied for 27 3rd quarter points to walk away with a 54-27 win. That’s something when you characterize a 27 margin win as a competitive game. But then the other wins came by 34, 48, 48 and 50 points. They’re at 1A South Williamsport (4-1) Friday whose loss was to Muncy (1A, 5-0) 32-24. Barring major injuries, they’ll name the score this weekend and subsequent weekends going into the postseason undefeated.
11 York (William Penn) 5A 5-0
The Bearcats got a little fight from Spring Grove (1-4), holding a slim 28-14 lead at the half before defusing the Rockets with 26 unanswered points for a runaway 55-14 victory in York-Adams play. This is a big attack, averaging 50ppg and their best start since going 6-0 in 2009. Surprisingly, they’re playing defense this year holding opponents to 12ppg. They’re home to Dallastown Friday who will test their secondary with record setting quarterback Cade Pribula, seeing if they can duplicate last year’s 26-16 win in Dallastown.
12 Warwick 6A 4-1
Joey McCracken completed 8 of 10 passes for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Warriors rolled to their 4th win of the season at home against McCaskey 49-0. The shutout was their 3rd of the year as they moved up two spots in the rankings and still deadlocked atop the LL-1 with Wilson and Manheim Township. They’re at Cedar Crest Friday.
13 Cedar Cliff 5A 3-2
The Colts won the must win division game on the road last week against Mid Penn-Keystone rival Bishop McDevitt, coming back from a 21-0 1st quarter deficit for the 50-43 win. Wow, at McDevitt! After losing to Cocalico and Harrisburg on the road, this one was critical. Qb Chris Dare was solid completing 11 of 18 passes for 140 yards and 3 scores while Jaheim Morris dented the Crusader D for 152 yards and 2 scores. Versatile Bobby Whalen (sounds like a football player doesn’t it) rushed for 106 yards, caught 2 passes for 57 yards and completed 3 of 3 passes for 58 yards, one going for the tying score late. And how about the Colt D holding McDevitt to 15 2nd half points. Lowly Lower Dauphin (1-4) is next but they need to concentrate after last week with LD upsetting them last year 35-21.
14 Middletown 3A 4-1
It’d be easy penalizing teams this week not knowing some of the matchups were fierce, historic rivalries. None larger than the shootout Friday in Steelton where Middletown escaped the upset by their next door neighbor, the Steelton Highspire Rollers (3-2). Steel High was up 27-13 at one point in the 2nd quarter before the Raiders punched it in with 4 seconds left to trail 27-20 at the break. That momentum carried over as they outscored SHHS 28-13 in the 2nd half to catch, then pull away for the 48-40 win. Total yardage was Middletown 374 to 424 Rollers. But the Raiders controlled the clock, pounding out 364 on the ground to 120. Conversely, Steelton threw for 324 yards to Middletown’s 10; repeat, 10! But a W is a W and it keeps them even with undefeated Palmyra and Milton Hershey with the Rollers a game back. Boiling Sprigs (2-3) is next, catching Middletown between Rollers and undefeated Milton Hershey.
15 Chambersburg 6A 4-1
Can’t drop them too far after showing up at State College last week in a losing 35-16 cause while rushing for 256 yards. Keyshawn Jones was largely unstoppable, rushing 22 times for 180 yards. He’s the real deal. Brady Stumbaugh was heavily pressured, completing 4 of 13 passes for 5 yards (5!) although he got 72 yards on 17 carries. They’re home to winless Cumberland Valley Friday where they just may be able to reverse years of hurt by the Eagles who’ve had their way with the Trojans. But don’t get cocky Chambersburg, it’s still a program. CV won last year 35-13.
I cut this down to 30 this week as 40 was a big over reach….but fun trying. Also did some reshuffling, a midseason adjustment per results. But as always, the bottom line is about getting information out.
1 State College 6A 5-0
After spotting State College a 21-0 1st quarter lead, Chambersburg came roaring back to outscore the Lions 16-14 before falling short in a 35-16 loss. It was a sloppy game for SC with 2 wild snaps (over heads), 2 muffed punts and 2 lost fumbles with 6 put on the ground! One fumble was returned for a touchdown. Chambersburg came to play, grinding out over 250 yards rushing. For State, Tommy Friberg completed 10 of 12 for 148 yards and 2 scores while rushing for 66 yards. Isaiah Edwards had 74 yards on 13 carries as the Lions rushed for 210 yards and passed for 152. Central Dauphin East (2-3) is next, coming to SC off a 17-16 overtime win against Altoona. Spunky bunch but not enough for the Lions who won’t be looking ahead to Harrisburg. Right?
2 Manheim Central 5A 5-0
The Barons breezed to a dominating 55-0 win at Elizabethtown holding the Bears to 22 net yards rushing and sacking Qb Cole Patrick 5 times. But Central’s Qb Evan Simon was unpressured, completing 11 of 19 passes for 268 yards and 2 Tds. Tyler Flick rushed for 100 yards. Next is their first road test of the year after defeating Warwick and Wilson in Manheim against 9th ranked Cocalico (4-1), coming off a 36-24 loss at 4th rated Manheim Township. MC won both last year, 17-7 in the regular season and 21-20 in the postseason. This one will match Central’s balance and experience against Cocalico’s Flexbone.
3 Harrisburg 6A 4-1
I’ll probably be a broken record with this but the Cougars are not the same team they were a few weeks ago since Kane Everson settled in at the quarterback position. Last week saw him rush for 188 yards while completing 12 of 22 for 182 yards, totaling over half of their offense that garnered 538 yards beating Cumberland Valley 45-0. Next is an important division game and road test at 5th ranked Central Dauphin (4-1) who has discovered a passing game. This one will tell us if anyone in the district can keep up with these Cougars. Cougars-Coatesville again?
4 Manheim Township 6A 5-0
How about first year starting senior quarterback Harrison Kirk topping the 200 yard mark (9 of 17 for 236) in passing (60% thru 5) for the fourth straight week. Before his emergence there was real concern replacing predecessor Luke Emge’s 1885 yards (62%) and 465 rush yards that had alot to do with Township’s district title last year. Jaden Floyd has emerged as well rushing for 132 yards on 18 carries behind a solid line led by seniors Sean Marks 6-1 250, Klye Babcock 6-1 225, Blake Hoffmaster 6-2 220, Ethan Hoffman 6-5 265 and juniors Grayson Kuhns 6-0 210 and Justin Herr 6-0 215. Back to the game; their 24-9 half time lead did not hold up against Cocalico who pounded them for 246 yards rushing to make a game of it only to loss in another exciting crossover game, 36-24. This week sees them back in Section action playing at home to Wilson (3-2) who they beat twice last year. It’s getting exciting in the district with Harrisburg at CD, Manheim Central vs Cocalico, Exeter at Weiser and Township battling Wilson.
5 Central Dauphin 6A 4-1
Central Dauphin blew out to a 35-3 halftime lead then coasted to a 35-17 win at revitalized Carlisle. The win was a milestone for the Rams getting #400 for the program. Quarterback Noah Hoffman continued his maturation completing 4 of 4 passes for 98 yards and a score. He was relieved in the 2nd half by the hot shot freshman Max Mosey (6-0, 155) who completed 5 of 8 for 110 yards and a score. The Ram D allowed 288 yards (subs in 2nd half) while the offence totaled 365 yards, 208 through the air. Friday night’s alright for a fight (or is it Saturday?) with Harrisburg in for an important division battle. There’s always emotion between these two but especially after Harrisburg embarrassed them last year 48-10.
6 Bishop McDevitt 4A 4-1
McDevitt jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the 1st quarter then collapsed, allowing Cedar Cliff to outscore them 50-22 at Ortenzio Stadium (McDevitt’s home) and pull off the 50-43 stunner of the midseason. A broken play led to a Cedar Cliff score with 6:52 seconds left for the tie at 43 all followed by an interception and short drive with Jaheim Morris (152 yards) scoring on a 2 yard burst with 23 seconds left in the game. Qb Chris Diehl was hot, completing 25 of 34 passes for 426 yards and 4 TDs, but suffered the key pick towards the end. Few can cover T’nyis Becker and Nazir Becker who had 186 and 152 yards in receptions respectively. As mentioned last week “if the Colts (Cedar Cliff) don’t get them no one will”. So look for McDevitt to run out beginning with Waynesboro (3-2) Friday, then enter the postseason on a 9-1 roll.
7 Berks Catholic 4A 3-2
BC lost to Malvern Prep 42-32 but wow, what a preseason playing muscle teams Central Dauphin, McDonogh School and Malvern Prep before going into Berks-Inter County Section 2 play where they will dominate. Malvern simply had too much of about everything, especially balance which the Saints don’t have with Qb Drew Gunther passing for over 392 yards (!) for 3 touchdowns to receivers BC couldn’t handle. To date, no one including the Friars have stopped BC’s tandem of Brandon George and Abdul MacFoy who rushed for over 300 yards. Berks-2 play begins Friday at home against Hamburg (2-3) where like Southern Columbia up in District-4, they will win then run the table as the next 4 opponents are 5-15. Then comes nemesis, Wyomissing (4-1), another fierce Reading rival.
8 Wilson 6A 3-2
The Bulldogs ground out 472 yards of total offense (410 rushing) in a 44-0 destruction of winless Penn Manor. Running back Elijah Morales had 172 yards on 15 carries and 2 touchdowns while the Comets were held to 20 yards rushing and 142 total. Next is an important section game against 4th ranked and undefeated Manheim Township who won both of last year’s games, 38-14 in the regular season, 28-14 in the postseason. This is a tough stretch for a number of teams but particularly Wilson playing Township, Hempfield then Warwick. Their primary comp for league honors is Township who’s going through their stretch as well having played Cocalico, Wilson then Warwick the following week.
9 Cocalico 5A 4-1
The Eagles got their first loss of the year losing to Manheim Township 36-24 in a hard fought game. Like the Berks Catholic against Malvern Prep last week, you felt they might be in trouble without a credible passing game. That proved true in both cases although their Flexbone functioned to the tune of 246 yards with Garrett Longenecker gaining 106 yards on 15 carries. Everyone thinks the Flexbone is outdated until they try to defend it! Section-2 action continues against Manheim Central Friday in Denver as the Eagles enter the heart of the schedule having played Township (5-0), now Manheim (5-0) then surprising Conestoga Valley (4-1) who edged Solanco last week.
10 Southern Columbia 2A 5-0
The Tigers got a battle from archrival Central Columbia who fought them to a 20-20 stalemate at the half. Nice. But you can only hold these guys down so long as they rallied for 27 3rd quarter points to walk away with a 54-27 win. That’s something when you characterize a 27 margin win as a competitive game. But then the other wins came by 34, 48, 48 and 50 points. They’re at 1A South Williamsport (4-1) Friday whose loss was to Muncy (1A, 5-0) 32-24. Barring major injuries, they’ll name the score this weekend and subsequent weekends going into the postseason undefeated.
11 York (William Penn) 5A 5-0
The Bearcats got a little fight from Spring Grove (1-4), holding a slim 28-14 lead at the half before defusing the Rockets with 26 unanswered points for a runaway 55-14 victory in York-Adams play. This is a big attack, averaging 50ppg and their best start since going 6-0 in 2009. Surprisingly, they’re playing defense this year holding opponents to 12ppg. They’re home to Dallastown Friday who will test their secondary with record setting quarterback Cade Pribula, seeing if they can duplicate last year’s 26-16 win in Dallastown.
12 Warwick 6A 4-1
Joey McCracken completed 8 of 10 passes for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Warriors rolled to their 4th win of the season at home against McCaskey 49-0. The shutout was their 3rd of the year as they moved up two spots in the rankings and still deadlocked atop the LL-1 with Wilson and Manheim Township. They’re at Cedar Crest Friday.
13 Cedar Cliff 5A 3-2
The Colts won the must win division game on the road last week against Mid Penn-Keystone rival Bishop McDevitt, coming back from a 21-0 1st quarter deficit for the 50-43 win. Wow, at McDevitt! After losing to Cocalico and Harrisburg on the road, this one was critical. Qb Chris Dare was solid completing 11 of 18 passes for 140 yards and 3 scores while Jaheim Morris dented the Crusader D for 152 yards and 2 scores. Versatile Bobby Whalen (sounds like a football player doesn’t it) rushed for 106 yards, caught 2 passes for 57 yards and completed 3 of 3 passes for 58 yards, one going for the tying score late. And how about the Colt D holding McDevitt to 15 2nd half points. Lowly Lower Dauphin (1-4) is next but they need to concentrate after last week with LD upsetting them last year 35-21.
14 Middletown 3A 4-1
It’d be easy penalizing teams this week not knowing some of the matchups were fierce, historic rivalries. None larger than the shootout Friday in Steelton where Middletown escaped the upset by their next door neighbor, the Steelton Highspire Rollers (3-2). Steel High was up 27-13 at one point in the 2nd quarter before the Raiders punched it in with 4 seconds left to trail 27-20 at the break. That momentum carried over as they outscored SHHS 28-13 in the 2nd half to catch, then pull away for the 48-40 win. Total yardage was Middletown 374 to 424 Rollers. But the Raiders controlled the clock, pounding out 364 on the ground to 120. Conversely, Steelton threw for 324 yards to Middletown’s 10; repeat, 10! But a W is a W and it keeps them even with undefeated Palmyra and Milton Hershey with the Rollers a game back. Boiling Sprigs (2-3) is next, catching Middletown between Rollers and undefeated Milton Hershey.
15 Chambersburg 6A 4-1
Can’t drop them too far after showing up at State College last week in a losing 35-16 cause while rushing for 256 yards. Keyshawn Jones was largely unstoppable, rushing 22 times for 180 yards. He’s the real deal. Brady Stumbaugh was heavily pressured, completing 4 of 13 passes for 5 yards (5!) although he got 72 yards on 17 carries. They’re home to winless Cumberland Valley Friday where they just may be able to reverse years of hurt by the Eagles who’ve had their way with the Trojans. But don’t get cocky Chambersburg, it’s still a program. CV won last year 35-13.