1 Pine Richland 3-0, D7; This offense is in mid-season form, rolling over Seneca Valley 42-7 while getting all their points in the first half. No one expected an upset but maybe a little more from rival Seneca Valley. Maybe not with the offense on fire scoring 41, 53 and 42 points their first 3 games! And with a quarterback like Phil Jurkovec completing 77% of his passes (17/22) for 256 yards and 3 Td passes while rushing for another 2 scores, he is an offense unto himself. Receiver Raymond Falcone who never drops a pass caught 5 for 152 yards and 3 touchdowns, making this one of the top combos in the East, and nearly an unstoppable force. Undefeated Penn Hills is next at PR who won last year 52-21.
2 Cumberland Valley 2-0, D3; Make that 6 quarters without a score on CV’s active defense (blanked Coatesville 2nd half) as they shut out Central York 35-0, keeping Qb Chris Pribula throwing underneath all night. The Eagles took few prisoners allowing 195 total yards. 2-1 McDevitt is next, fresh off an impressive win against Canisius-NY. CV won last year 24-14.
3 Pittsburgh Central Catholic 2-1, D7; Not a lot of bells and whistles when these two tangle but a solid win none the less as the Vikings get a road and conference win (3rd straight road) at Wexford defeating North Allegheny 14-7. Their fourth consecutive road game sees them in Greensburg Friday taking on Hempfield (1-2) who they beat last year 55-6. A win here then next week in the home opener against Sen Val (nothing like a midseason home opener!?) puts them with some momentum heading to Pine Richland for a Northern 7 showdown.
4 Manheim Township 2-0, D3; Township is rounding into a potent group, lighting up the scoreboard in Hanover beating South Western’s Mustangs 42-0, holding them to 3 first downs and 50 total yards of offense. Another group of Mustangs is in town this week when Governor Mifflin comes to Lancaster. Coming in off a 42-21 defeat at the hands of undefeated 5A terror Cocalico (2-0) says they’ll be ready. Mifflin won last year 28-20.
5 State College 2-0, D6; Like Pine Richland the Lions are in midseason form blasting Hollidaysburg 55-27 while generating 476 total yards of offense. Super soph Isaiah Edwards showed em how it’s done with 3 Tds and 172 rushing. Senior Tristen Lyons added 116 with Qb Tom Friberg toting it for 128! They’re having a lot of fun up in State College building a powerful, balanced machine. Mifflin County is next, a team they routed last year 51-7.
6. Wilson 1-1, D3; Dropped below State High after “escaping” rebuilding Spring Ford 28-21 and allowing 342 yards of offense. Rams Qb TJ Pergine shredded them for 278 yards, completing 23 of 34 passes for 68%. Not exactly vintage Wilson! This is not one of Central Dauphin’s strongest teams with essentially a full rebuild, but the Bulldogs still need to bring it at home Friday with CD in off a bye. The Rams won last year 24-6. This is a good gage of district strength with CD coming off a 17-14 loss at Manheim Twp 2 weeks ago and Township being the sole road block to Wilson’s 10th consecutive Lancaster Lebanon League-Section-1 title.
7 Bethel Park 2-0, D7; Bethel Park jumped Central Dauphin in the rankings after another strong defensive performance last week shutting down previously undefeated Peters Township 28-7. The Black Hawks front was near flawless, holding PT to 98 rush yards. And the O-Line did their thing springing Joe Doleno (13/196!) and Tanner Volpatti (19/102) for 298 yards rushing. 2-1 Norwin is next at Bethel and likely in for a hard night losing to a far lesser group last year 22-13.
8 Central Dauphin 1-1, D3; Central Dauphin was idle last week coming off a hard fought 17-14 loss to Manheim’s Blue Streaks. They’ll need a good effort in this one containing Wilson’s cannon-ball of a running back Iggy Reynoso and company in their cozy confines and great venue that is Gurski Field. These two are going to be sore at the end of this one. The Bulldogs and Rams do go at it!
9 Mt Lebanon 2-1, D7; Check out Lebo back in at 9 after taking Hempfield down hard, 31-0, although Hempfield was without Qb Justin Sliwoski, out with a separated shoulder vs C-Mac. This put a sophomore under center who was sacked 7 times. Importantly Qb James Stocker is back for the Blue Devils giving them great depth at the position where Seth Morgan filled in admirably. This combining with an aggressive and sizeable defensive front makes them a force in the district. They’re at Canon McMillan Friday
10 Williamsport 3-0, D4: Ran into a nasty Hazelton team that came to play before bowing out in a tight one 28-26. Williamsport had to overcome a 19-7 deficit, but got it going, rolling out 474 yards of offense to eke out the win. Qb Joe Fagnano threw for 278 yards. The Millionaires are home to struggling 0-3 Wyoming Valley West, a team they defeated last year 35-22. If they get past Valley West and they’ve had some good ones….then Scranton and Del Val in a few weeks, they’ll cruise through the rest of the schedule unscathed, setting up a great home finale against Berwick. Nice!
Others:
North Allegheny 1-2, D7; Dropped out of Top 10 but will influence things getting back on track at home against Shaler.
Peters Township 2-1, D7; At Altoona to rebound from the Bethel loss.
Penn Hills 3-0, D7; At Pine Richland for a reality check despite speed and athletes.
Canon McMillan 2-1, D7; Home to Mt. Lebanon. C-Mac can score points!
Norwin 2-1, D7; Tough one at Bethel Park then home to Canon McMillan
Central Dauphin East 2-0, D3; Home against city rival Susquehanna Twp (1-1) but should roll.
Central York 2-1, D3; Home licking their wounds to play Hempfield’s Black Knights. Should be a tussle. Central won last year 48-42.
Red Lion 2-0, D3; Picking up where they left off last year (10-1, 37-11ppg avg) at 35ppg on a total rebuild off the 1st round loss to CD East last year. Should handle Chambersburg on road.
2 Cumberland Valley 2-0, D3; Make that 6 quarters without a score on CV’s active defense (blanked Coatesville 2nd half) as they shut out Central York 35-0, keeping Qb Chris Pribula throwing underneath all night. The Eagles took few prisoners allowing 195 total yards. 2-1 McDevitt is next, fresh off an impressive win against Canisius-NY. CV won last year 24-14.
3 Pittsburgh Central Catholic 2-1, D7; Not a lot of bells and whistles when these two tangle but a solid win none the less as the Vikings get a road and conference win (3rd straight road) at Wexford defeating North Allegheny 14-7. Their fourth consecutive road game sees them in Greensburg Friday taking on Hempfield (1-2) who they beat last year 55-6. A win here then next week in the home opener against Sen Val (nothing like a midseason home opener!?) puts them with some momentum heading to Pine Richland for a Northern 7 showdown.
4 Manheim Township 2-0, D3; Township is rounding into a potent group, lighting up the scoreboard in Hanover beating South Western’s Mustangs 42-0, holding them to 3 first downs and 50 total yards of offense. Another group of Mustangs is in town this week when Governor Mifflin comes to Lancaster. Coming in off a 42-21 defeat at the hands of undefeated 5A terror Cocalico (2-0) says they’ll be ready. Mifflin won last year 28-20.
5 State College 2-0, D6; Like Pine Richland the Lions are in midseason form blasting Hollidaysburg 55-27 while generating 476 total yards of offense. Super soph Isaiah Edwards showed em how it’s done with 3 Tds and 172 rushing. Senior Tristen Lyons added 116 with Qb Tom Friberg toting it for 128! They’re having a lot of fun up in State College building a powerful, balanced machine. Mifflin County is next, a team they routed last year 51-7.
6. Wilson 1-1, D3; Dropped below State High after “escaping” rebuilding Spring Ford 28-21 and allowing 342 yards of offense. Rams Qb TJ Pergine shredded them for 278 yards, completing 23 of 34 passes for 68%. Not exactly vintage Wilson! This is not one of Central Dauphin’s strongest teams with essentially a full rebuild, but the Bulldogs still need to bring it at home Friday with CD in off a bye. The Rams won last year 24-6. This is a good gage of district strength with CD coming off a 17-14 loss at Manheim Twp 2 weeks ago and Township being the sole road block to Wilson’s 10th consecutive Lancaster Lebanon League-Section-1 title.
7 Bethel Park 2-0, D7; Bethel Park jumped Central Dauphin in the rankings after another strong defensive performance last week shutting down previously undefeated Peters Township 28-7. The Black Hawks front was near flawless, holding PT to 98 rush yards. And the O-Line did their thing springing Joe Doleno (13/196!) and Tanner Volpatti (19/102) for 298 yards rushing. 2-1 Norwin is next at Bethel and likely in for a hard night losing to a far lesser group last year 22-13.
8 Central Dauphin 1-1, D3; Central Dauphin was idle last week coming off a hard fought 17-14 loss to Manheim’s Blue Streaks. They’ll need a good effort in this one containing Wilson’s cannon-ball of a running back Iggy Reynoso and company in their cozy confines and great venue that is Gurski Field. These two are going to be sore at the end of this one. The Bulldogs and Rams do go at it!
9 Mt Lebanon 2-1, D7; Check out Lebo back in at 9 after taking Hempfield down hard, 31-0, although Hempfield was without Qb Justin Sliwoski, out with a separated shoulder vs C-Mac. This put a sophomore under center who was sacked 7 times. Importantly Qb James Stocker is back for the Blue Devils giving them great depth at the position where Seth Morgan filled in admirably. This combining with an aggressive and sizeable defensive front makes them a force in the district. They’re at Canon McMillan Friday
10 Williamsport 3-0, D4: Ran into a nasty Hazelton team that came to play before bowing out in a tight one 28-26. Williamsport had to overcome a 19-7 deficit, but got it going, rolling out 474 yards of offense to eke out the win. Qb Joe Fagnano threw for 278 yards. The Millionaires are home to struggling 0-3 Wyoming Valley West, a team they defeated last year 35-22. If they get past Valley West and they’ve had some good ones….then Scranton and Del Val in a few weeks, they’ll cruise through the rest of the schedule unscathed, setting up a great home finale against Berwick. Nice!
Others:
North Allegheny 1-2, D7; Dropped out of Top 10 but will influence things getting back on track at home against Shaler.
Peters Township 2-1, D7; At Altoona to rebound from the Bethel loss.
Penn Hills 3-0, D7; At Pine Richland for a reality check despite speed and athletes.
Canon McMillan 2-1, D7; Home to Mt. Lebanon. C-Mac can score points!
Norwin 2-1, D7; Tough one at Bethel Park then home to Canon McMillan
Central Dauphin East 2-0, D3; Home against city rival Susquehanna Twp (1-1) but should roll.
Central York 2-1, D3; Home licking their wounds to play Hempfield’s Black Knights. Should be a tussle. Central won last year 48-42.
Red Lion 2-0, D3; Picking up where they left off last year (10-1, 37-11ppg avg) at 35ppg on a total rebuild off the 1st round loss to CD East last year. Should handle Chambersburg on road.
