Form held except for Central Dauphin who crashed and burned against Harrisburg High, losing 48-10 in a Mid Penn Commonwealth game at home, knocking them out of the West Top 10. The rest won by an average score of 43-11. About Harrisburg (5A, 7-0), they are crushing everyone by a combined score of 348-34, with wins against Imhotep (7-1) 33-14, Harrisburg-McDevitt (5-2) 35-0, Central Dauphin (4-3) 48-10 and CD East (5-2) 45-7. Giving you some idea of the strength of teams in other classifications, consider Cathedral Prep (4A, 8-0), who is even more impressive with a wicked schedule showing wins against Pittsburgh Central Catholic (6-2) 40-7, Detroit De La Salle (6-2, MI) 33-23, Benedictine (5-3, OH) 62-28, Erie High (6-2) 38-0 and McDowell (4-4) 63-7 by an average score of 51-13. Phew! Too bad they dropped down in class a few years ago as they’d challenge for the 6A title, being favored in some circles.
1 Pine Richland 8-0, D7; The Rams went on the road to beat hapless Shaler 49-0 where Phil Jurkovec was special again completing 16 of 19 passes for 246 yards and 2 touchdowns. This brings his total career passing yards to 6357. They’re home this week against Butler (2-5) who is coming off a 7-6 loss to Norwin. The Golden Tornado gave them a game last year before dropping a 28-13 decision. A bit about Butler; They have not had a winning season in 20 years but returned a nice core of 7 to each side this year including two running backs, a quarterback returning from a season injury from last year and one of the top lineman in the state. At 6-4, 290 pounds, Jake Kradel had offers from a number of schools including Pitt, West Virginia, Ucla, Ohio State, Va Tech and Maryland. He opted for Pitt. Don’t get many chances to mention programs like Butler. After Butler comes the conference finale against North Allegheny who is 4-1 in the Northern 7, tied with Central Catholic with the Rams on top at 4-0. Penn Hills is behind them at 3-2. It all gets sorted out the final week of the regular season with the Rams at North Allegheny and Penn Hills at Central Catholic.
2 Cumberland Valley 6-1, D3; “Big Red” had it going Friday night when the Thundering Herd from Carlisle came in all full of themselves with a 4-2 record before exiting after a 37-7 thumping. The Eagles ran at will, pounding out 319 yards on the ground while taking the “thunder” out of the Herd, holding them to 68 yards rushing and 66 up top. CV has always taken particular joy in whooping up on their next door neighbor. The bad news is PSU commit Charlie Katshir who rushed for 3 Tds and 108 yards left with his arm in a sling. (Had a torn labrum last year all season, repaired last winter) This week see them home to Lower Dauphin (cross over game) who upset them last year in a major upset 15-10. Then it’s back to the business at hand sorting out the Mid Penn Commonwealth with road games at CD East and Harrisburg.
3 Bethel Park 6-1, D7; Bethel really got it together last week thumping Canon McMillan 48-16 with Tanner Volpatti running for 103 yards on 16 carries, netting 3 touchdowns. But the big story may be sophomore quarterback Anthony Chiccitt (6-1, 170) now starting and having a strong outing completing 10 of 13 passes for 282 yards. This sheds a whole new light on the Black Hawks with a passing game to compliment their big senior O-line and the strong running of Tanner Volpatti and John Doleno….and changes the Wpial dynamic. Look out Lebo! But first there’s a road trip to 2-6 Altoona before deciding the Southeastern Conference the following week at Mt. Lebanon.
4 Pittsburgh Central Catholic 6-2, D7; Defense and special teams were all the Vikings needed to dismember Altoona last week, returning 2 interceptions for scores by Khalil Weathers and Gavin Thomson (2 called back!)….and returning a punt 60 yards by Cam Laconi for another score in a 59-14 rout of the Mountain Lions. Central’s D held Altoona to 49 rush yards and 114 passing as Troy Fisher was solid as ever, completing 5 of 7 passes for 3 touchdowns, 2 going to Gavin Thomson. Norwin’s Knights are next and at 4-4 and probably won’t offer too much. But they have been playing better their last 4 games, beating C-Mac 34-14, losing to Peters Township 13-7 and Mt. Lebanon 27-14 before defeating Butler last week 7-6.
5 Manheim Township 6-1, D3; Township put a hurtin on Warwick last week crushing the Warriors 45-7 while holding them to 28 yards rushing. Luke Emge threw for 216 yards and 4 scores and Jake Rodenberger showed his leg with a 46-yard field goal. That was a revenge game with Warwick beating Township last year in Lancaster 31-28. And it brings us to “Wilson Week” where they look to end the Bulldogs 68 game Section-One winning streak. This looks to be a tight game with Manheim averaging 28ppg while allowing 19 to Wilson’s 31 to 20 average score against the same 4 opponents. The most interesting common opponents are Central Dauphin and Governor Mifflin. Wilson lost to both 28-20 and 21-14 respectively while Township beat CD 17-14 then lost to the Mustangs 49-14. It’s a homer for Township, their 4th of the year where a packed house will give them a slight edge. Otherwise, toss this one up.
1 Pine Richland 8-0, D7; The Rams went on the road to beat hapless Shaler 49-0 where Phil Jurkovec was special again completing 16 of 19 passes for 246 yards and 2 touchdowns. This brings his total career passing yards to 6357. They’re home this week against Butler (2-5) who is coming off a 7-6 loss to Norwin. The Golden Tornado gave them a game last year before dropping a 28-13 decision. A bit about Butler; They have not had a winning season in 20 years but returned a nice core of 7 to each side this year including two running backs, a quarterback returning from a season injury from last year and one of the top lineman in the state. At 6-4, 290 pounds, Jake Kradel had offers from a number of schools including Pitt, West Virginia, Ucla, Ohio State, Va Tech and Maryland. He opted for Pitt. Don’t get many chances to mention programs like Butler. After Butler comes the conference finale against North Allegheny who is 4-1 in the Northern 7, tied with Central Catholic with the Rams on top at 4-0. Penn Hills is behind them at 3-2. It all gets sorted out the final week of the regular season with the Rams at North Allegheny and Penn Hills at Central Catholic.
2 Cumberland Valley 6-1, D3; “Big Red” had it going Friday night when the Thundering Herd from Carlisle came in all full of themselves with a 4-2 record before exiting after a 37-7 thumping. The Eagles ran at will, pounding out 319 yards on the ground while taking the “thunder” out of the Herd, holding them to 68 yards rushing and 66 up top. CV has always taken particular joy in whooping up on their next door neighbor. The bad news is PSU commit Charlie Katshir who rushed for 3 Tds and 108 yards left with his arm in a sling. (Had a torn labrum last year all season, repaired last winter) This week see them home to Lower Dauphin (cross over game) who upset them last year in a major upset 15-10. Then it’s back to the business at hand sorting out the Mid Penn Commonwealth with road games at CD East and Harrisburg.
3 Bethel Park 6-1, D7; Bethel really got it together last week thumping Canon McMillan 48-16 with Tanner Volpatti running for 103 yards on 16 carries, netting 3 touchdowns. But the big story may be sophomore quarterback Anthony Chiccitt (6-1, 170) now starting and having a strong outing completing 10 of 13 passes for 282 yards. This sheds a whole new light on the Black Hawks with a passing game to compliment their big senior O-line and the strong running of Tanner Volpatti and John Doleno….and changes the Wpial dynamic. Look out Lebo! But first there’s a road trip to 2-6 Altoona before deciding the Southeastern Conference the following week at Mt. Lebanon.
4 Pittsburgh Central Catholic 6-2, D7; Defense and special teams were all the Vikings needed to dismember Altoona last week, returning 2 interceptions for scores by Khalil Weathers and Gavin Thomson (2 called back!)….and returning a punt 60 yards by Cam Laconi for another score in a 59-14 rout of the Mountain Lions. Central’s D held Altoona to 49 rush yards and 114 passing as Troy Fisher was solid as ever, completing 5 of 7 passes for 3 touchdowns, 2 going to Gavin Thomson. Norwin’s Knights are next and at 4-4 and probably won’t offer too much. But they have been playing better their last 4 games, beating C-Mac 34-14, losing to Peters Township 13-7 and Mt. Lebanon 27-14 before defeating Butler last week 7-6.
5 Manheim Township 6-1, D3; Township put a hurtin on Warwick last week crushing the Warriors 45-7 while holding them to 28 yards rushing. Luke Emge threw for 216 yards and 4 scores and Jake Rodenberger showed his leg with a 46-yard field goal. That was a revenge game with Warwick beating Township last year in Lancaster 31-28. And it brings us to “Wilson Week” where they look to end the Bulldogs 68 game Section-One winning streak. This looks to be a tight game with Manheim averaging 28ppg while allowing 19 to Wilson’s 31 to 20 average score against the same 4 opponents. The most interesting common opponents are Central Dauphin and Governor Mifflin. Wilson lost to both 28-20 and 21-14 respectively while Township beat CD 17-14 then lost to the Mustangs 49-14. It’s a homer for Township, their 4th of the year where a packed house will give them a slight edge. Otherwise, toss this one up.
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