EXPLAINING OUR PICKS: It’s Week 9 of the Pennsylvania high school football season, and the 4th Down Magazine team is here to tell you who’s going to win every game involving Mid-Penn Conference teams, as well as Schuylkill-Colonial League games featuring former members of the now-defunct Tri-Valley League.
This year’s group of experts includes veteran reporters Andy Shay and Andy Sandrik, as well as 4th Down owner and manager Adam Kulikowski.
Here’s who we think will win each game this week.
2023 Standings
Picker: Week 8 — Overall — Perfect Picks
Andy Sandrik: 17-5 — 159-45 — 0
Adam Kulikowski: 15-7 — 156-48 — 1
Andy Shay: 15-7 — 150-54 — 1
* Records in parentheses after school name; District and seed in parentheses before school name.
This week’s episode of 4th and Goal features an interview with Cumberland Valley’s Bryce Staretz plus Andy Shay and Jake Adams break down the division battles in the Mid-Penn Conference and look back on what stood out in Week 8.
FRIDAY, OCT. 20
Altoona 28, Carlisle 19
Andy Shay: Altoona 30, Carlisle 21: Rough ride for both clubs navigating the Commonwealth Division schedule this season. Just feels like the Mountain Lions are the pick here.
Andy Sandrik: Altoona 32, Carlisle 20: Mrs. 4th Down will be happy that all three of us went with her alma mater this week.
Adam Kulikowski: Altoona 34, Carlisle 28: Both teams have found the conference schedule perilous, but the Mountain Lions seem to have more fight left in the tank as we enter Week 9.
Central Dauphin 49, CD East 20
Andy Shay: CD East 28, Central Dauphin 24: If nothing else, neither squad has displayed a high level of consistency week-to-week this season. The Panthers’ offense has been playing well enough to win, but the defense struggles. Rams are better equipped to win here, but I’m taking the upset.
Andy Sandrik: Central Dauphin 21, CD East 18: Anyone remember when CD East hammered their rivals by a 35-0 score last fall? I’ll bet the Rams remember.
Adam Kulikowski: Central Dauphin 28, CD East 26: Which Panthers team will take the field in this matchup? The one that took Harrisburg to the wire or the crew that lost to Chambersburg? The variable is far too great in my eyes to bank on. Give me the Rams!
Cumberland Valley 17, State College 10
Andy Shay: State College 21, Cumberland Valley 14: I like what the Eagles have accomplished this season on so many fronts, but they lack the offensive balance to spring an upset at this level.
Andy Sandrik: State College 28, Cumberland Valley 14: No matchup in the Commonwealth is an easy one, but this week seems to be a tall order for a CV team squaring off against a State College team that has to be hopping mad after getting shut out at home.
Adam Kulikowski: State College 28, Cumberland Valley 20: The outcome of State College’s game might not be a shock, but the way in which the Cougars held the Little Lions in check sure was. Have to love the signs of life shown by oach Josh Oswalt’s crew in the second half of the season, just not sure it is enough to knock off an angry State College.
Bishop McDevitt 42, Mifflin County 0
Andy Shay: Bishop McDevitt 54, Mifflin County 0: Same as it ever was, right?
Andy Sandrik: Bishop McDevitt 56, Mifflin County 0: If McDevitt needed 20 yards instead of 10 for a first down, and made Stone Saunders throw with his opposite arm, would that be enough for the Keystone Division to have a chance against the Crusaders?
Adam Kulikowski: Bishop McDevitt 55, Mifflin County 6: Another week, another tune-up game for the Crusaders.
Cedar Cliff 41, Red Land 7
Andy Shay: Cedar Cliff 49, Red Land 14: Never pick against the Colts when they are stacking wins like this, and right now Cedar Cliff is arguably playing its best football of the season. West Shore School District battle doesn’t feel like a level playing field.
Andy Sandrik: Cedar Cliff 45, Red Land 14: I know this is a rivalry game, where they throw win-loss records out the window and all that good stuff, but this contest has “one-way ticket to blowout city” written all over it.
Adam Kulikowski: Cedar Cliff 48, Red Land 20: The only blemish on the Colts’ record is an understandable loss to Bishop McDevitt. The 1,000-yard rushing mark is within striking distance for the Colts’ Erik Schriver, now just 162 stripes short as we approach Week 9.
Lower Dauphin 21, Hershey 14 (OT)
Andy Shay: Hershey 34, Lower Dauphin 27: This is a very intriguing matchup on many fronts, but for me the bottom line is the Falcons are riding the struggle bus and this Trojans team requires more than nearly your best to knock them off. Falcons’ offense presents some challenges.
Andy Sandrik: Hershey 32, Lower Dauphin 26: Falcons have been right there with some good competition in recent weeks. I expect nothing less in this backyard brawl at the Concrete Palace.
Adam Kulikowski: Lower Dauphin 24, Hershey 21: If you like old-fashion, win-it-in-the-trenches, ground-and-pound football, this is the game for you. Two quality clubs who will simply line up and see who is the toughest group of young men.
Milton Hershey 41, Palmyra 6
Andy Shay: Milton Hershey 41, Palmyra 20: When the Spartans’ offense hits full speed, there is very little anybody can do to slow them down. They have trouble, though, creating space on the scoreboard because they give up a ton of points. Cougars aren’t equipped for a high-octane affair.
Andy Sandrik: Milton Hershey 35, Palmyra 14: In a perfect world where all else is equal, the Spartans still have a clear offensive edge over Palmyra. I expect that difference to show up Friday night.
Adam Kulikowski: Milton Hershey 33, Palmyra 20: Spartans have proven time and again they are ready to battle to the final whistle. That pays dividends coming down the stretch.
East Pennsboro 31, Susquehanna Township 28
Andy Shay: Susquehanna Township 34, East Pennsboro 30: Marquee matchup for the Colonial Division crown catbird seat. Expect some points to be scored and each offense to land a few big blows. Indians just have that in-the-groove feeling right now. That’s all I see in this one.
Andy Sandrik: Susquehanna Township 28, East Pennsboro 21: Every time I look at this ‘Hanna team, it is a little better than the last time I saw it. They’ll still need a clear-eyes, full-heart kind of game to outlast the upstart East Penn Panthers.
Adam Kulikowski: Susquehanna Township 31, East Pennsboro 28: Indians seem to have hit their stride heading down the stretch, while the Panthers have stumbled. Give the edge to Joe Headen’s troops.
Northern 63, Gettysburg 42
Andy Shay: Gettysburg 27, Northern 21: Since the Warriors still have a second season berth to play for, that’s enough for me to call their number here. Otherwise, this is a 50-50 game all the way.
Andy Sandrik: Gettysburg 28, Northern 20: It’s desperation mode for Gettysburg, which saw its playoff chances take a hit with a loss to Greencastle-Antrim. This is a game the Warriors need to win if they want any shot at the postseason.
Adam Kulikowski: Gettysburg 41, Northern 20: Anyone who comes in sleeping on the Polar Bears does so at their own peril — just ask East Pennsboro. With their playoff chances on the line, the Warriors should be fully charged and ready to go.
Mechanicsburg 34, Greencastle-Antrim 22
Andy Shay: Greencastle-Antrim 28, Mechanicsburg 21: Playoffs are on the horizon for the Blue Devils, but the Wildcats can be a dicey out if they find the game to their liking, especially on offense. G-A defense has to be on point.
Andy Sandrik: Greencastle-Antrim 21, Mechanicsburg 14: The Blue Devils have clinched their first winning campaign since the 2015 season. Can they take care of business down the stretch and slide into the Class 5A dance?
Adam Kulikowski: Greencastle-Antrim 31, Mechanicsburg 24: Blue Devils are getting contributions from a wide array of dudes. The inability to key in on one playmaker should pay dividends against the Wildcats.
Shippensburg 27, Waynesboro 0
Andy Shay: Waynesboro 33, Shippensburg 20: When you score enough points to win on a weekly basis, and the other team has trouble scoring points with any consistency, take the team who can roll over the scoreboard numbers. That’s the Indians here.
Andy Sandrik: Waynesboro 31, Shippensburg 21: While wins have been slightly easier to come by for Shippensburg, Waynesboro has had no problem finding the end zone this fall, even in defeat. If the Indians turn this into a high-scoring game, that could be a big problem for the ‘Hounds, who are averaging 11.6 points per contest.
Adam Kulikowski: Shippensburg 23, Waynesboro 21: Greyhounds will need to play their best on defense to limit the Indians and keep the score within reach for an offense that lacks the dynamic firepower of recent years.
Boiling Springs 6, Middletown 5
Andy Shay: Middletown 27, Boiling Springs 14: Both teams are having a tough campaign, but the Blue Raiders have been more competitive overall. That’s enough.
Andy Sandrik: Middletown 28, Boiling Springs 14: I think Middletown may have a slight size advantage in a game where all else seems about equal. Give me the Blue Raiders in the battle of one-win teams.
Adam Kulikowski: Middletown 24, Boiling Springs 14: Notching a second win in Week 9 can do wonders to fuel an offseason program that will need to reestablish a winning formula.
West Perry 48, Camp Hill 24
Andy Shay: West Perry 35, Camp Hill 14: In Marcus Quaker the Mustangs trust. He’s earned all the accolades he gets, and he will make sure West Perry gets across the 9-0 finish line.
Andy Sandrik: West Perry 36, Camp Hill 10: Camp Hill has had a way of being sneakily good in games where it is not favored. The Mustangs, however, have way too much leadership, not to mention talent, to let the Lions steal an upset.
Adam Kulikowski: West Perry 45, Camp Hill 32: Give the Lions some credit. They are a feisty group even when they are undermanned for the battle at hand, as they are in this tussle.
Big Spring 42, Upper Dauphin 14
Andy Shay: Big Spring 34, Upper Dauphin 14: There is a lean that the Bulldogs bring to the table with their running game that the Trojans won’t be able to counter. Big Spring is hunting down a postseason invite as well.
Andy Sandrik: Big Spring 38, Upper Dauphin 14: High-powered matchups with Steel-High, Trinity and West Perry, followed by a rivalry win over Boiling Springs, have the Bulldogs beyond ready for everything UD has to offer.
Adam Kulikowski: Big Spring 28, Upper Dauphin 20: The Bulldogs’ 4-4 record doesn’t do justice for the quality of this team. Big Spring gets rewarded in the win column Friday.
Halifax 46, Newport 22
Andy Shay: Halifax 28, Newport 14: Simply put, the Buffaloes don’t score enough points to keep up with Wildcats, who when the playing field is level have shown plenty of offensive firepower.
Andy Sandrik: Halifax 21, Newport 6: This is a game where I see Newport needing about three TDs to have a chance at an upset. Easier said than done for a Buffs squad that has scored 45 points all season and maxed out at 14 points in a game.
Adam Kulikowski: Halifax 33, Newport 20: Chalk this one up as win No. 4 for the Wildcats, a feat that hasn’t occurred since that magical 2018 season.
Susquenita 48, James Buchanan 6
Andy Shay: Susquenita 42, James Buchanan 7: Blackhawks will make it three straight wins against a Rockets squad where points are awfully hard to come by.
Andy Sandrik: Susquenita 36, James Buchanan 12: A hard-earned win over Halifax has ‘Nita on a two-game victory streak. Make that three wins after the ‘Hawks host Jimmy Buck.
Adam Kulikowski: Susquenita 48, James Buchanan 6: Five of the Rockets’ eight games have ended with seven or less points on the board. Not the recipe for success.
Line Mountain 40, Juniata 30
Andy Shay: Juniata 28, Line Mountain 21: Did you see what the Indians did to UDA last week? If not, check out their schedule. I’m not picking against Juniata in this game no matter what Line Mountain brings to the table.
Andy Sandrik: Juniata 28, Line Mountain 14: It’s never a smart idea to pick against the team Michael Bullock predicted to win the Liberty, but Juniata seems to have hit a late-season level up. The Indians also have a pretty nice sophomore receiver in Jasper Shepps, who has hauled in 46 catches, including 11 TDs, and is averaging 19.7 yards per reception.
Adam Kulikowski: Line Mountain 33, Juniata 31: The contrarian pick among our group, the Eagles will need to play their best football to beat an Indians club riding a five-game winning streak.
Tri-Valley 16, Marian Catholic 6
Andy Shay: Marian Catholic 23, Tri-Valley 14: Been a grind for the Bulldogs lately, and Marian has a defense that is driving the train. Tough matchup.
Andy Sandrik: Marian Catholic 23, Tri-Valley 17: It’s been a couple of mentally exhausting weeks for the Bulldogs, who have fallen just short in losses to Nativity BVM and Mahanoy. Meanwhile, Marian Catholic’s defense hasn’t allowed more than two TDs in a game since Sept. 8.
Adam Kulikowski: Tri-Valley 26, Marian Catholic 17: Bulldogs may be considered the underdogs in this tilt, but this crew has the ability to stymie an opponent.
Notre Dame-Green Pond 56, Pine Grove 6
Andy Shay: Notre Dame-Green Pond 42, Pine Grove 7: The Crusaders have the best player on the field playing quarterback and posting spiffy dual-threat numbers. The Cardinals are not equipped for this in 2023.
Andy Sandrik: Notre Dame-Green Pond 38, Pine Grove 13: If the Cardinals want to have a prayer against the Crusaders, they’re going to have to find an answer for QB Danny Darno, who is not only dangerous in the air, but also leads his team in rushing.
Adam Kulikowski: Notre Dame-Green Pond 45, Pine Grove 6: Two-way weapon Darno garners a lot of attention when folks talk about the Crusaders, but take away one blowout loss to Southern Lehigh (8-0) and this is a defense that will present serious problems for the Cardinals.
Williams Valley 54, Shenandoah Valley 0
Andy Shay: Williams Valley 40, Shenandoah Valley 13: The A-Train is coming down the tracks and SV won’t have the answers to slow him down.
Andy Sandrik: Williams Valley 33, Shenandoah Valley 14: In an effort to take a break from talking about Vikings RB Alex Achenbach every single week, I scanned the defensive stats to find a standout, and the man I’ve turned up is, of course, Alex Achenbach. The dude has 53 tackles, 10 pass defenses, four INTs, two fumble recoveries and one caused fumble.
Adam Kulikowski: Williams Valley 45, Shenandoah Valley 12: Blue Devils lack the big-play stars to hang with the Vikings, but senior wideout Nick Ryan has quietly put together a nice season hauling in 37 receptions for 673 yards through eight games.
SATURDAY, OCT. 21
Chambersburg at Harrisburg, 1 p.m.
Andy Shay: Harrisburg 42, Chambersburg 0: A focused and maturing Harrisburg team will make sure to keep moving the needle forward. The Trojans aren’t built for a battle at this level in Week 9.
Andy Sandrik: Harrisburg 38, Chambersburg 7: The Cougars showed last week at State College that when they’re on their game, they can beat anybody. That’s not good news for Chambersburg.
Adam Kulikowski: Harrisburg 45, Chambersburg 14: When you get to Week 9, you know the time is coming to play your best football. That close win to CD East earlier in October just might have been the final punch the Cougars needed to round into playoff form.
Trinity at Steel-High, 4 p.m.
Andy Shay: Steel-High 42, Trinity 21: The best player for the Shamrocks will be limited at best, and the Rollers will be at full firepower. That’s the mismatch here.
Andy Sandrik: Steel-High 44, Trinity 12: Without Messiah Mickens at full health, I’m not sure how Trinity plans on keeping this game within reach.
Adam Kulikowski: Steel-High 48, Trinity 20: This one loses a bit of its luster with Trinity’s key weapon struggling to regain his health.
