Picks and Predictions for November 22-23

Standings:

Name: Last Week; Overall

Andy Sandrik: 6-4; 189-53

Andy Shay: 6-4; 186-56

Adam Kulikowski: 5-5; 179-63

District 3-6A Championship

Harrisburg (4) vs. Wilson (2)

at Exeter Township, Saturday, November 23 at 1 p.m.

Andy Shay: Harrisburg 21, Wilson 14: Defense seems to be the key right now for both clubs. When it comes to the second season, is it me or do the Cougars resemble a certain professional football team from Kansas City? Just asking.

Andy Sandrik: Harrisburg 27, Wilson 14: Picking Harrisburg to beat No. 1 Manheim Township last week felt more like a leap of faith than anything else, but after the way the Cougars roughed up the Blue Streaks, I’m much more confident in this pick. 

Adam Kulikowski: Harrisburg 35, Wilson 31:  Harrisburg running back Messiah Mickens is playing his best football in the biggest moments–just what you hope for from one of your blue chip players. Cougars will need another big performance from this lad and his crew to get past a resurgent Bulldogs squad. 

District 3-5A Championship

Bishop McDevitt (6) vs. Exeter Township (8)

at ELCO, Friday, November 22 at 7 p.m.

Andy Shay: Bishop McDevitt 33, Exeter Township 27: Something tells me each offense will get some in this matchup. The better balance and more diversity on that side of the ball gives McD a slight edge. Very slight. 

Andy Sandrik: Bishop McDevitt 36, Exeter Township 18: Exeter Township has been nothing short of locked in this postseason, but if there was ever a team equipped with the big-game experience to finally put the Eagles to bed, it’s McDevitt.

Adam Kulikowski: Bishop McDevitt 34, Exeter Township 21: If Bishop McDevitt can find a way to keep dynamic running back Jayden Zandier under wraps, hoisting another District championship is well within reach. Zandier carved up opponents all season en route to nearly 2,100 yards rushing and 30 touchdowns. 

District 3-4A Championship

Wyomissing vs. Lampeter-Strasburg

at Warwick, Friday, November 22 at 7 p.m.

Andy Shay: Lampeter-Strasburg 28, Wyomissing 14: What the Spartans tend to do to clubs this time of year is EXACTLY the Pioneers’ strength as well. The over under for pass attempts combined is 20 and the brute force of L-S is a tall ask to stop.

Andy Sandrik: Lampeter-Strasburg 24, Wyomissing 17: With two 1,200-yard rushers in the backfield — QB Caileb Howse and RB Dominic Brown — it’s no surprise Lampeter-Strasburg has beaten every it’s faced this season, including Wyomissing. No reason to pick any differently this week. 

Adam Kulikowski: Lampeter-Strasburg 21, Wyomissing 14: Just three weeks ago, the Pioneers handed Wyomissing its second loss of the season. While I normally am hard-pressed to pick against Ross Tucker’s Spartans, the path for the Pioneers to advance is attainable. 

PIAA 6A Quarterfinal:

State College vs. Pittsburgh Central Catholic

at Mansion Park in Altoona, November 22 at 7 p.m.

Andy Shay: Pittsburgh Central Catholic 40, State College 38: This is the matchup where the opposition has just as much horsepower and firepower as the Little Lions. I went back and forth on this one and PCC gets the call in a wild guess.

Andy Sandrik: State College 42, Pittsburgh Central Catholic 36: My understanding is that Pittsburgh Central Catholic has a superb squad, but it’s hard to pick against an SC squad that has dudes like Eddie Corkery, Ty Salazer, and Michael Gaul in the lineup. 

Adam Kulikowski:  Pittsburgh Central Catholic 41, State College 38: Airing it out won’t be an issue for either of these two high-powered offenses–each of which has a more-than-capable QB1.  An off-the-radar X-factor to me is sophomore Pitt linebacker Roman Thomson who leads his crew in tackles with 73 tackles and 14 tackles for loss and four sacks.  

PIAA 4A Quarterfinal:

Juniata vs. Southern Lehigh

at Shamokin, November 22 at 7 p.m.

Andy Shay: Juniata 20, Southern Lehigh 14: I’m not going to pick against the Indians and that defense again when all the indicators are Juniata is up against it. SL clearly has to go out and take the game from these Indians because they don’t surrender much.

Andy Sandrik: Juniata 24, Southern Lehigh 20: I’m leaning on a Juniata defense that is allowing 6.5 points per game this postseason. The Indians’ 27-7 spanking over previously-unbeaten Shamokin Area was a surprise.

Adam Kulikowski: Southern Lehigh 24, Juniata 21: The Indians continue to defy the odds as their playoff run continues another week. Southern Lehigh packs a punch with a four-star tight end and a 2,400 yard passer to get him the rock posing the biggest threats to a Thanksgiving holiday without meaningful football practices.