6 Central Dauphin 10-2; Central Dauphin is in the midst of great run of talent and teams going 76-17 the last 7 years with a Quad-A title in 2011. The problem the last 4 years is that West Shore nemesis Cumberland Valley has owned them by the narrowest of scores, scores like 25-24, 24-21, 7-0 and the 2015 playoff epic where CV prevailed 62-61 in 7 overtimes. These were some outstanding teams that beat Harrisburg, Wilson, State College, Bishop McDevitt, etc, etc but all of a sudden, can’t beat the Eagles. But hey, hats off to CV who derailed at least one title team in the eyes of locals although my friends from Harrisburg are a little biased!
This year’s team faces a major rebuild rather than their typical reload with a near wipe out of both the offense that returns 3 starters and the D that returns 2. Last year’s team throttled Wilson 24-6, then zipped through the Mid Penn looking good in the process with the exception of the two losses to….guess who?
But about this year, they return a Qb that had 3 starts when AJ Millar went down for the last 3 games. CD is always going to have a quarterback that can throw rather than a linebacker that can run in Coach Glen McNamee system. Enter Brady Straub (6-1, 185, sr) who was on the money at 65% completion rate completing 32 of 48 passes for 442 yards. Impressively his Td/Pick ratio was 5/0. A couple lineman in Bo Heshler at 6-4, 275 and TE Grant Smith checking in at 6-4, 225 will steady the new line with their battering ram FB in Mike Wise-Belle (5-10, 225, 114/600, sr). A pile of subs will plug a lot of holes with the D solidified by the return of D1 talent LB Adam Burkhart, last year’s super soph who had 92 tackles. The schedule opens with the North Side guys from Susquehanna Township, followed by Manheim Township, then another district power house, Wilson. The North Side tussle often sets the tone. Then comes a tough Manheim team they cannot look past before going into Gurski for Wilson High taking on a pissed off bunch of Bulldogs remembering last year’s 24-6 pounding.
7 State College 10-2; The Lions look top heavy with skill although they are breaking in a pt QB in Drew Friberg (6-6, 205, sr) who will have a few wide bodies up front to protect in Collin De Boef 6-5 275, Robert Nachtman 6-4 300, and Jackson Heasley 6-2 230. But the defense is not as well set having to rebuild the line and a few Backers from a group that allowed 13ppg, their lowest yield since 2008’s that allowed 9. That group seemed destined for bigger things at 12-0 until losing to Bethel Park in the quarterfinals 17-14. Same with last year’s team that lost to Williamsport 35-28 after eliminating McDowell 35-14. The schedule is favorable and should provide for a strong start with McCaskey, Hollidaysburg Mifflin County, Mechanicsburg and Carlisle up first before taking on the meat of the Mid Penn Commonwealth including road games at Cumberland Valley, Harrisburg and Central Dauphin. Ouch!
8 Mt. Lebanon 7-4; The Blue Devils were close last year losing to Pine Richland 42-31 and North Allegheny 22-15 before the 49-43 loss to Seneca Valley in the postseason. With a decent core returning to offense including Qb James Stocker (6-1, 215, sr) two linemen and most of their skill (starters or subs), they should again compete at or above last year’s level of 38ppg. The issue last year was a porous defense that allowed 25ppg. But with 4 DLs, one that can also go both ways in Coleman Coco (6-3, 265, sr) they should improve despite the secondary needing rebuilt. A schedule of Fox Chapel, Pine Richland, Hempfield, Canon McMillan and Altoona could provide for a 4-1 start if they can avoid upsets like year’s 41-38 loss to Hempfield where that shaky D got them in trouble.
9 McDowell 9-2; The Trojans graduated record setting Qb Levi Becker but return almost all their skill (backs, receivers) and two quality linemen in Aaron Sanford 6-3 270 and Casey Baker 6-5 295 to pave the way. Xavier Pulliam is the man on offense with 806 yards rushing and over 200 passing. If the new quarterback gets it done they’ll again put points on the board after averaging 31 last year. The D looks like a major rebuild of a unit that allowed 17ppg last year. As always, the schedule is interesting and challenging, opening this year with St. Edward. Two weeks later they play Cathedral who is loaded with almost all their personnel returning, looking to defend their AAAA title. The Prep is always a bad ass and can prove it with a major statement in the opener against Central Catholic. Other news out of Erie is the rebranding of Central Tech now called Erie High, a 6A program.
10 Manheim Township 6-5; Exciting Qb Luke Emge returns with a 63% rate, 1594 yards passing plus 566 rushing. He’s one of the better kept secrets in D3 transferring in last year from Fleetwood. Right, where’s Fleetwood? Skill wise the Blue Streaks are loaded with their leading rusher and passer back; Grayson Salade with 885 yards and 170yards on 19 receptions plus Rece Bender who snagged 28 passes for 604 yards. As usual, they return a big, physical line with the likes of James Starer 6-2, 270, Joel Morris 5-10 240, Drake Puffenbarger 6-4 240, Cody Sparklin 6-5 290, Patrick Cloonan 6-6 295 (the water?) and others. Don’t know if they can move or not but they are impressive! (Haven’t seen the Streaks in 2 years) So they look good on that side with so many returning from a unit that scored 31ppg. Last year’s defense allowed 19ppg and returns a pile. They had 3 narrow losses to quality opponents; the Reading area powers Governor Mifflin 28-20, Wilson 17-10 and Warwick 31-28. Central Dauphin handled them winning 31-9 in the regular season and 34-14 in the playoffs. But this season should see the them improved across the board. So heads up to Central Dauphin in the opener, Governor Mifflin and finally LL rival Wilson who all have to come to Lancaster against a strong group looking to settle a few scores. Real toss up here for the 10th spot between the Streaks, Williamsport and CD East.
Others
Williamsport 12-2
Governor Mifflin 10-2
Central York 7-4
Central Dauphin East 7-5
Bethel Park 5-5
Seneca Valley 8-4
Penn Hills 4-6
This year’s team faces a major rebuild rather than their typical reload with a near wipe out of both the offense that returns 3 starters and the D that returns 2. Last year’s team throttled Wilson 24-6, then zipped through the Mid Penn looking good in the process with the exception of the two losses to….guess who?
But about this year, they return a Qb that had 3 starts when AJ Millar went down for the last 3 games. CD is always going to have a quarterback that can throw rather than a linebacker that can run in Coach Glen McNamee system. Enter Brady Straub (6-1, 185, sr) who was on the money at 65% completion rate completing 32 of 48 passes for 442 yards. Impressively his Td/Pick ratio was 5/0. A couple lineman in Bo Heshler at 6-4, 275 and TE Grant Smith checking in at 6-4, 225 will steady the new line with their battering ram FB in Mike Wise-Belle (5-10, 225, 114/600, sr). A pile of subs will plug a lot of holes with the D solidified by the return of D1 talent LB Adam Burkhart, last year’s super soph who had 92 tackles. The schedule opens with the North Side guys from Susquehanna Township, followed by Manheim Township, then another district power house, Wilson. The North Side tussle often sets the tone. Then comes a tough Manheim team they cannot look past before going into Gurski for Wilson High taking on a pissed off bunch of Bulldogs remembering last year’s 24-6 pounding.
7 State College 10-2; The Lions look top heavy with skill although they are breaking in a pt QB in Drew Friberg (6-6, 205, sr) who will have a few wide bodies up front to protect in Collin De Boef 6-5 275, Robert Nachtman 6-4 300, and Jackson Heasley 6-2 230. But the defense is not as well set having to rebuild the line and a few Backers from a group that allowed 13ppg, their lowest yield since 2008’s that allowed 9. That group seemed destined for bigger things at 12-0 until losing to Bethel Park in the quarterfinals 17-14. Same with last year’s team that lost to Williamsport 35-28 after eliminating McDowell 35-14. The schedule is favorable and should provide for a strong start with McCaskey, Hollidaysburg Mifflin County, Mechanicsburg and Carlisle up first before taking on the meat of the Mid Penn Commonwealth including road games at Cumberland Valley, Harrisburg and Central Dauphin. Ouch!
8 Mt. Lebanon 7-4; The Blue Devils were close last year losing to Pine Richland 42-31 and North Allegheny 22-15 before the 49-43 loss to Seneca Valley in the postseason. With a decent core returning to offense including Qb James Stocker (6-1, 215, sr) two linemen and most of their skill (starters or subs), they should again compete at or above last year’s level of 38ppg. The issue last year was a porous defense that allowed 25ppg. But with 4 DLs, one that can also go both ways in Coleman Coco (6-3, 265, sr) they should improve despite the secondary needing rebuilt. A schedule of Fox Chapel, Pine Richland, Hempfield, Canon McMillan and Altoona could provide for a 4-1 start if they can avoid upsets like year’s 41-38 loss to Hempfield where that shaky D got them in trouble.
9 McDowell 9-2; The Trojans graduated record setting Qb Levi Becker but return almost all their skill (backs, receivers) and two quality linemen in Aaron Sanford 6-3 270 and Casey Baker 6-5 295 to pave the way. Xavier Pulliam is the man on offense with 806 yards rushing and over 200 passing. If the new quarterback gets it done they’ll again put points on the board after averaging 31 last year. The D looks like a major rebuild of a unit that allowed 17ppg last year. As always, the schedule is interesting and challenging, opening this year with St. Edward. Two weeks later they play Cathedral who is loaded with almost all their personnel returning, looking to defend their AAAA title. The Prep is always a bad ass and can prove it with a major statement in the opener against Central Catholic. Other news out of Erie is the rebranding of Central Tech now called Erie High, a 6A program.
10 Manheim Township 6-5; Exciting Qb Luke Emge returns with a 63% rate, 1594 yards passing plus 566 rushing. He’s one of the better kept secrets in D3 transferring in last year from Fleetwood. Right, where’s Fleetwood? Skill wise the Blue Streaks are loaded with their leading rusher and passer back; Grayson Salade with 885 yards and 170yards on 19 receptions plus Rece Bender who snagged 28 passes for 604 yards. As usual, they return a big, physical line with the likes of James Starer 6-2, 270, Joel Morris 5-10 240, Drake Puffenbarger 6-4 240, Cody Sparklin 6-5 290, Patrick Cloonan 6-6 295 (the water?) and others. Don’t know if they can move or not but they are impressive! (Haven’t seen the Streaks in 2 years) So they look good on that side with so many returning from a unit that scored 31ppg. Last year’s defense allowed 19ppg and returns a pile. They had 3 narrow losses to quality opponents; the Reading area powers Governor Mifflin 28-20, Wilson 17-10 and Warwick 31-28. Central Dauphin handled them winning 31-9 in the regular season and 34-14 in the playoffs. But this season should see the them improved across the board. So heads up to Central Dauphin in the opener, Governor Mifflin and finally LL rival Wilson who all have to come to Lancaster against a strong group looking to settle a few scores. Real toss up here for the 10th spot between the Streaks, Williamsport and CD East.
Others
Williamsport 12-2
Governor Mifflin 10-2
Central York 7-4
Central Dauphin East 7-5
Bethel Park 5-5
Seneca Valley 8-4
Penn Hills 4-6
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