Week 8
The West-AAAA teams:
In place of the usual listings and write-ups, here is a look at some of the Quad-A’s out west that could make the postseason and represent the West. Last week’s local scores and next week’s games are listed below with D5/6/7/8/9/10 teams with their current seed minus the write-ups. So here’s a mini breakdown to provide some insight on the Quad-A western teams.
District 3: Top 16 seeds that will make Districts.
Mid Penn Conference-Commonwealth Division
Central Dauphin Rams 7-1, #1
Here’s one of the favorites to win districts after finishing second to Wilson last year. Almost everyone is back from that team who has already flexed their muscles beating Lancaster Lebanon powers Wilson and Manheim Township. Last week’s 24-21 loss to Cumberland Valley at the gun may have put “blood in the water” but they still hold the top seed.
Cumberland Valley Eagles 7-1, #5
Same ole Eagles team with their Wing-T that typically rolls over opposition with an added feature this year of a quarterback who can actually throw a forward pass and a big offense scoring 36ppg! Big wins over CD East, Carlisle and Central Dauphin last week say they are a district favorite despite the early season collapse against McDevitt 41-14.
Central Dauphin East Panthers 5-3, #10
Except for the 29-24 win against rival Susquehanna Twp, East has not stacked up well against quality losing to Wilson 38-0 and Cumberland Valley 31-14. Finish with dangerous Carlisle and sister school Central Dauphin.
Harrisburg 4-4 Cougars, #14
They’re clinging by a thread at 4-4 but have no quality wins losing to Cumberland Valley 34-7, Central Dauphin 50-6 and State High 37-20. Began season 3-0.
State College Lions (District 6), 5-3
The Lions defeated good but not great teams, beating Upper Darby 28-0 and Carlisle 40-21 but lost to Spring Ford, McDevitt, and Central Dauphin. Won 5 of last 6 so they’re rolling with new QB settling in. RB Jordan Mischer has 1154 yards rushing. State won 6 of the 7 District 6/8/9/10 Sub Region since the inception of this format in 2008.
Carlisle 4-4 Thudering Herd, #15
One of the more dangerous, freaky teams in 3 averaging 36ppg with the best passing attack (yardage) in state with Eric Harris lighting things up at 2713 yards passing through 8 games but 16 picks with the 24 Tds. Think bombs away Baylor Bear (have scored 49, 49, 54, 56) when you think of the Thundering Herd.
Mid Penn Conference-Keystone Division
Cedar Cliff 6-2 Colts, #12
Lost in the last moments to McDevitt 34-28 two weeks ago in a game they had won and last week to surging AAA-Susquehanna Twp (5-3) 49-34. Defense? Not much allowing 28ppg but with an offense rolling out 44ppg its entertaining football! QB Grant Breneman 1288 15/2, Jayden Demmy 1134ry, Mike Viti 668 in receptions. Quality win beating Lower Dauphin 23-7 and South Western 42-14. Began season 6-0 but into the thick of it now.
Lower Dauphin Falcons 7-1, #6
Another balanced attack like the Colts scoring 37ppg with a veteran backfield that is “one of those teams”. Defense allows 14 keeping them in most games. Only loss is to CC Colts 23-7.
Lancaster-Lebanon Section 1
Wilson 7-1 Bulldogs, #3
Only thing separating them from an undefeated may be that running back Shane Dantzler missed most of the season and the 20-19 loss to Central Dauphin at Gerski Stadium Week 3. Back last week getting 134 vs Manheim so look out. Have quality wins against CD East 38-0 and fellow LL bad asses Hempfield 15-9 and Manheim Twp last week 48-27.
Hempfield Black Knights 7-1, #4
Notable wins over LL-2 powers Manheim Central and Lampeter Strasburg who are having less than spectacular seasons. Black Knights are a solid bunch many felt might overtake Wilson this year.
Manheim Township Blue Streaks 6-2, #8
The Blue Streaks have one of the coolest mascots in the district with matching helmets and a lightening like attack that is their M.O. They’re at 39ppg excepting the 42-12 collapse at Central Dauphin in the opener. Lost at home last week to Wilson.
York-Adams Division 1
Dallastown 7-0 Wildcats, #7
The Wildcats are back again (9-2 last year), winning the tight ones against a less than challenging schedule. Still, the D swarms and has been impressive, allowing only 8ppg with wins at South Western 29-21 and Northeastern (AAA, 6-1, Manchester, PA) 15-12. Red Lion looms in the finale.
South Western 6-2 Mustangs, #9
The Mustangs are beating decent not great teams with wins against Carlisle and Red Lion but losses, home losses to Cedar Cliff 42-14 (!) and conference leader Dallastown 29-21. Those losses say they are not ready for prime time but can still be a spoiler.
Red Lion 5-3 Lions, #13
Except for the 31-14 loss to South Western two weeks ago, they’ve been close, losing to Manheim Township 22-15 and Northeastern 14-13. Right, “one of those teams” you don’t want to run into in the first round. They close at Dtown.
Berks-Section 1
Exeter 8-0 Eagles, #2
Everyone thought they could be good but undefeated after graduating big numbers? But they return most of last year’s powerful OL plus an experienced QB who’s getting it done. Best win was on the road at Unionville in Week 2, 31-13. Close at home vs Governor Mifflin and Boone.
Governor Mifflin Mustangs 5-3, #11
Total rebuild but its Mifflin so they’re keeping heads above water and likely a good stretch runner even with the new crew. No standout wins with losses to LL powers Manheim Township 42-28, rival Wilson 14-3 in opener and AAA-Lehighton (8-0, D-11 semifinalist last year, vet bunch) 7-6. At Exeter this week in another Reading showdown.
Reading Knights 4-4, #16
The Scarlet Knights are capable if inconsistent with some new key parts this year but no significant wins to write home about. Two and three point losses to AAA-Conrad Weiser and Harrisburg respectively show potential balanced by the reality of last week’s 34-0 loss to Exeter.
The West-AAAA teams:
In place of the usual listings and write-ups, here is a look at some of the Quad-A’s out west that could make the postseason and represent the West. Last week’s local scores and next week’s games are listed below with D5/6/7/8/9/10 teams with their current seed minus the write-ups. So here’s a mini breakdown to provide some insight on the Quad-A western teams.
District 3: Top 16 seeds that will make Districts.
Mid Penn Conference-Commonwealth Division
Central Dauphin Rams 7-1, #1
Here’s one of the favorites to win districts after finishing second to Wilson last year. Almost everyone is back from that team who has already flexed their muscles beating Lancaster Lebanon powers Wilson and Manheim Township. Last week’s 24-21 loss to Cumberland Valley at the gun may have put “blood in the water” but they still hold the top seed.
Cumberland Valley Eagles 7-1, #5
Same ole Eagles team with their Wing-T that typically rolls over opposition with an added feature this year of a quarterback who can actually throw a forward pass and a big offense scoring 36ppg! Big wins over CD East, Carlisle and Central Dauphin last week say they are a district favorite despite the early season collapse against McDevitt 41-14.
Central Dauphin East Panthers 5-3, #10
Except for the 29-24 win against rival Susquehanna Twp, East has not stacked up well against quality losing to Wilson 38-0 and Cumberland Valley 31-14. Finish with dangerous Carlisle and sister school Central Dauphin.
Harrisburg 4-4 Cougars, #14
They’re clinging by a thread at 4-4 but have no quality wins losing to Cumberland Valley 34-7, Central Dauphin 50-6 and State High 37-20. Began season 3-0.
State College Lions (District 6), 5-3
The Lions defeated good but not great teams, beating Upper Darby 28-0 and Carlisle 40-21 but lost to Spring Ford, McDevitt, and Central Dauphin. Won 5 of last 6 so they’re rolling with new QB settling in. RB Jordan Mischer has 1154 yards rushing. State won 6 of the 7 District 6/8/9/10 Sub Region since the inception of this format in 2008.
Carlisle 4-4 Thudering Herd, #15
One of the more dangerous, freaky teams in 3 averaging 36ppg with the best passing attack (yardage) in state with Eric Harris lighting things up at 2713 yards passing through 8 games but 16 picks with the 24 Tds. Think bombs away Baylor Bear (have scored 49, 49, 54, 56) when you think of the Thundering Herd.
Mid Penn Conference-Keystone Division
Cedar Cliff 6-2 Colts, #12
Lost in the last moments to McDevitt 34-28 two weeks ago in a game they had won and last week to surging AAA-Susquehanna Twp (5-3) 49-34. Defense? Not much allowing 28ppg but with an offense rolling out 44ppg its entertaining football! QB Grant Breneman 1288 15/2, Jayden Demmy 1134ry, Mike Viti 668 in receptions. Quality win beating Lower Dauphin 23-7 and South Western 42-14. Began season 6-0 but into the thick of it now.
Lower Dauphin Falcons 7-1, #6
Another balanced attack like the Colts scoring 37ppg with a veteran backfield that is “one of those teams”. Defense allows 14 keeping them in most games. Only loss is to CC Colts 23-7.
Lancaster-Lebanon Section 1
Wilson 7-1 Bulldogs, #3
Only thing separating them from an undefeated may be that running back Shane Dantzler missed most of the season and the 20-19 loss to Central Dauphin at Gerski Stadium Week 3. Back last week getting 134 vs Manheim so look out. Have quality wins against CD East 38-0 and fellow LL bad asses Hempfield 15-9 and Manheim Twp last week 48-27.
Hempfield Black Knights 7-1, #4
Notable wins over LL-2 powers Manheim Central and Lampeter Strasburg who are having less than spectacular seasons. Black Knights are a solid bunch many felt might overtake Wilson this year.
Manheim Township Blue Streaks 6-2, #8
The Blue Streaks have one of the coolest mascots in the district with matching helmets and a lightening like attack that is their M.O. They’re at 39ppg excepting the 42-12 collapse at Central Dauphin in the opener. Lost at home last week to Wilson.
York-Adams Division 1
Dallastown 7-0 Wildcats, #7
The Wildcats are back again (9-2 last year), winning the tight ones against a less than challenging schedule. Still, the D swarms and has been impressive, allowing only 8ppg with wins at South Western 29-21 and Northeastern (AAA, 6-1, Manchester, PA) 15-12. Red Lion looms in the finale.
South Western 6-2 Mustangs, #9
The Mustangs are beating decent not great teams with wins against Carlisle and Red Lion but losses, home losses to Cedar Cliff 42-14 (!) and conference leader Dallastown 29-21. Those losses say they are not ready for prime time but can still be a spoiler.
Red Lion 5-3 Lions, #13
Except for the 31-14 loss to South Western two weeks ago, they’ve been close, losing to Manheim Township 22-15 and Northeastern 14-13. Right, “one of those teams” you don’t want to run into in the first round. They close at Dtown.
Berks-Section 1
Exeter 8-0 Eagles, #2
Everyone thought they could be good but undefeated after graduating big numbers? But they return most of last year’s powerful OL plus an experienced QB who’s getting it done. Best win was on the road at Unionville in Week 2, 31-13. Close at home vs Governor Mifflin and Boone.
Governor Mifflin Mustangs 5-3, #11
Total rebuild but its Mifflin so they’re keeping heads above water and likely a good stretch runner even with the new crew. No standout wins with losses to LL powers Manheim Township 42-28, rival Wilson 14-3 in opener and AAA-Lehighton (8-0, D-11 semifinalist last year, vet bunch) 7-6. At Exeter this week in another Reading showdown.
Reading Knights 4-4, #16
The Scarlet Knights are capable if inconsistent with some new key parts this year but no significant wins to write home about. Two and three point losses to AAA-Conrad Weiser and Harrisburg respectively show potential balanced by the reality of last week’s 34-0 loss to Exeter.