Standings:

Name; Week 10; Overall

Andy Shay: 15-4; 158-42

Andy Sandrik: 13-6; 152-48

Adam Kulikowski: 15-4; 151-49

District 3 2A: 

No. 4 Columbia vs. No. 1 Steel-High, Friday, October 31 at Siebert Park, Camp Hill

Andy Shay: Steel-High 41, Columbia 7: That foregone given that the Rollers would feature a dynamic and lethal offensive attack as in the recent past was not on the table this year. Steel-High has worked and developed into a team that demands you keep pace on the scoreboard.

Andy Sandrik: Steel-High 35, Columbia 14: The Rollers have been clicking on all cylinders for several weeks, now. I’m not sure how Columbia can slow down this speeding train.

Adam Kulikowski: Steel-High 31, Columbia 20: Rollers enter the postseason on a four-game hot streak. Columbia will provide a better test than the Rollers endured the last few weeks, but this is a squad ready for battle. 

No. 3 Lancaster Catholic vs. No. 2 Halifax, Friday October 31 at Halifax High School

Andy Shay: Lancaster Catholic 27, Halifax 25: I’m fairly certain the red-hot Wildcats will have the two best players on the field offensively. Just need to see if the rise from the ashes this season by Halifax has any legs at the next level.

Andy Sandrik: Halifax 27, Lancaster Catholic 24: Halifax has found a rhythm during its six-game winning streak. Teagan Carroll and Cohen Bechtel, two backs who have combined for nearly 30 rushing and receiving TDs, have a lot to do with that.

Adam Kulikowski: Halifax 33, Lancaster Catholic 28:  After a winless season in 2024, anything this Wildcats team accomplishes in the postseason is icing on an already stellar season. That doesn’t mean the boys from Halifax are content with their accomplishments.

District 3 3A: 

No. 6 Schuylkill Valley vs. No. 3 Trinity, Friday, October 31 at Trinity High School

Andy Shay: Trinity 27, Schuylkill Valley 7: Defense wins championships and travels well in the second season and it’s been a while since I can recall a smaller school defense that was this dominant on a weekly basis.

Andy Sandrik: Trinity 30, Schuylkill Valley 7: Few teams have been a tougher out than Trinity this fall. Make it eight wins in nine weeks for the ‘Rocks.

Adam Kulikowski: Trinity 31, Schuylkill Valley 13: By this time you should be well versed on the prowess of the ‘Rocks’ defense, but give credit to the gents on offense who will keep you off kilter with their balanced attack.

No. 5 Big Spring vs. No. 4 Bermudian Springs, Friday, October 31 at Bermudian Springs High School

Andy Shay: Big Spring 30, Bermudian Springs 22: There is HOPE in the greater Newville area with the return of one Grady Hope to the Bulldogs lineup for the final regular season game. He moves the needle, changes the game, alters the outcome … etc. He is THAT player for Big Spring.

Andy Sandrik: Big Spring 34, Bermudian Springs 24: Big Spring got a big boost last week with Grady Hope’s return to the lineup, and I think the Bulldogs’ schedule has them a little more prepared for this moment.  

Adam Kulikowski: Big Spring 28, Bermudian Springs 21: The afore mentioned return of Grady Hope makes the Bulldogs a favorite in my eyes, but one X-factor that can tip the tides is Bermudian’s Brayden Heller. The 5-11 senior wideout possesses big play ability in the passing game and has the ability to knock the top off the Bulldog defense. 

District 3 4A: 

No. 10 Middletown vs. No. 7 Eastern York, Friday, October 31 at Eastern York High School

Andy Shay: Eastern York 15, Middletown 13: I like what the Blue Raiders bring to the table in terms of dogged grit, however offensively I think they are a small fry short of a Happy Meal in this matchup.

Andy Sandrik: Middletown 19, Eastern York 15: I’m still not sure who will win this game, but I do know that Middletown won’t get caught off guard. The Blue Raiders simply find ways to stay competitive with even the toughest of opponents.

Adam Kulikowski: Eastern York 21, Middletown 14: Eastern York has the potential to do damage through the air in this match with gunslinger Quinn Bramble racking up nearly 2,000 yards this season.

No. 9 ELCO vs. No. 8 Kennard-Dale, Friday, October 31 at Kennard-Dale High School

Andy Shay: ELCO 29, Kennard-Dale 19: Tails was ELCO.

Andy Sandrik: ELCO 33, Kennard-Dale 17: The Raiders have rallied behind QB Brinley Donmoyer to qualify for the postseason after a 1-4 start. I think the comeback tour continues for ELCO, at least for one more week.

Adam Kulikowski: ELCO 34, Kennard-Dale 27: ELCO surrenders points at an alarming rate–30 per game average. Just not sure the Rams have the weapons on offense to take full advantage of the opportunities available.

District 3 5A: 

No. 12 Shippensburg vs. No. 5 Warwick, Friday, October 31 at Warwick High School

Andy Shay: Warwick 27, Shippensburg 14: All I know is the Warriors will ask the Greyhounds to find another level to match them and when that’s been the case this season Ship hasn’t had the tools in the chest to answer that call.

Andy Sandrik: Warwick 24, Shippensburg 18: Too many good wins on Warwick’s resume to hazard picking against the Warriors.

Adam Kulikowski: Warwick 28, Shippensburg 7: Warwick’s stout defense makes this a tough pull for a Shippensburg team with an offense that isn’t elite. 

No. 11 Red Land vs. No. 6 Mechanicsburg, Friday, October 31 at Memorial Park, Mechanicsburg

Andy Shay: Mechanicsburg 17, Red Land 10: First of all WTHeck is this matchup. Sometimes I hate numbers. This will be a defensive tussle and the Wildcats have the more impactful defense at this level.

Andy Sandrik: Mechanicsburg 21, Red Land 7: The Wildcats’ defense has been locked in for several weeks now. Red Land can win, but it will be an uphill battle.

Adam Kulikowski: Mechanicsburg 21, Red Land 20: The Patriots proved a month ago when these two squads faced off that they were not to be taken lightly. While it is a winnable game for the Patriots, I see the Wildcats as the favorite. 

No. 10 Lower Dauphin vs. No. 7 Exeter Township, Friday, October 31 at Exeter Township High School

Andy Shay: Exeter Township 34, Lower Dauphin 14: All I know is Exeter is NOT a No. 7 seed, they are a snake in the grass falling this far with an 8-2 record and those two losses being by a combined total of six points. Brutal draw for the Falcons who have risen up from a bumbling start to playing its best football right now. BRUTAL!

Andy Sandrik: Exeter Township 23, Lower Dauphin 16: I feel dirty picking against the Falcons, who have done nothing but get better on a week-to-week basis, but the Eagles are a top-tier squad that finished six points shy of an unbeaten season.

Adam Kulikowski: Exeter Township 31, Lower Dauphin 21: Terrible match up for a Falcons team plays its best football now. Will take every break going their way to knock of Exeter.

No. 9 Muhlenburg vs. No. 8 Spring Grove, Friday , October 31 at Spring Grove High School

Andy Shay: Muhlenburg 26, Spring Grove 24: I’m going with the chalk on this one.

Andy Sandrik: Spring Grove 21, Muhlenberg 17: The Rockets have three backs that have piled up 17 rushing TDs. This group does not include senior QB Davis Baum, who has run for five scores of his own, and thrown for 12 more.

Adam Kulikowski: Muhlenburg 34, Spring Grove 21: Muhls’s powerhouse offense will have a big say in how competitive this game stayss through four quarters. 

District 3 6A: 

No. 10 Central Dauphin vs. No. 7 Cumberland Valley, Friday, October 31 at Cumberland Valley High School

Andy Shay: Cumberland Valley 24, Central Dauphin 14: Second bite of the apple for the Rams against the Eagles after the earlier meeting this season was competitive. CV defense is better now than it was the first month. That’s the difference maker.

Andy Sandrik: Cumberland Valley 28, Central Dauphin 14: The longer CV can hang around in the postseason, the better the Eagles’ elite defense can thrive in cold outdoor conditions. 

Adam Kulikowski: Cumberland Valley 21, Central Dauphin 14: My colleagues said it and I agree, CV defense will be the deciding factor. 

No. 9 Cedar Crest vs. No. 8 Cedar Cliff, Friday, October 31 at West Shore Stadium

Andy Shay: Cedar Crest 27, Cedar Cliff 21: That was some football badness the Colts displayed on defense in week 10 surrendering 48 points to a Cumberland Valley offense that has scored fewer than 40 points in the previous 12 quarters combined. I like the CC running back but taking the Falcons.

Andy Sandrik: Cedar Cliff 28, Cedar Crest 21: I like what I’m seeing from Crest’s 1,000-yard RB Isaiah Zimmerman,  who is averaging 9.3 yards per carry, but I think the Commonwealth Division grind has the Colts well prepared for this moment.

Adam Kulikowski: Cedar Cliff 31, Cedar Crest 14: The Colts enter this fray battle tested through a grueling Commonwealth Division schedule. Those bumps might have hurt, but the dividends should be evident in the Colts second season.

Standings:

Name; Week 9; Overall

Andy Shay 18-1; 143-38

Andy Sandrik: 18-1; 139-42

Adam Kulikowski 17-2; 136-45

Cumberland Valley 48, Cedar Cliff 17

Andy Shay: Cumberland Valley 14, Cedar Cliff 7: I’m very conflicted about this game on many levels. Overall I think right now the Colts are playing better football, but the CV defense has been locked in at another level the last month. Taking a flyer on the Eagles here.

Andy Sandrik: Cedar Cliff 17, Cumberland Valley 14: It usually takes me just a short while to go through each of these picks, but I’ve been staring at the monitor for this one for several minutes now. I’m going with the Colts solely for the reason of playing catchup to AShay in the 4DM pick ‘em standings. 

Adam Kulikowski: Cumberland Valley 24, Cedar Cliff 21: On a defense that has been stout all season, Zayden Smith has been a ball hawk, picking off four passes this season. While the Eagle’s offense has struggled at times, players like Smith have the potential to make a game-changing impact.

Mechanicsburg 17, Shippensburg 0

Andy Shay: Mechanicsburg 20, Shippensburg 7: Both squads have close wins over a solid Hershey team as my measuring stick. Again I’m going with the defensive unit of the Wildcats that is playing lights out surrendering one or fewer touchdowns in three of their last four games. That’s not an accident.

Andy Sandrik: Mechanicsburg 21, Shippensburg 14: The Greyhounds have been a tough squad on a weekly basis, but not exactly an offensive juggernaut. Points will come at a premium against this Mechanicsburg defense, and I get the sense it will take some kind of game-altering play, perhaps on special teams, for Ship to get over the hump.

Adam Kulikowski: Mechanicsburg 28, Shippensburg 21: Two quality programs square off. Give the edge to the Wildcats who I see as the more balanced club.

Steel-High 46, Newport 30

Andy Shay: Steel-High 39, Newport 7: Two ships headed in opposite directions. Rollers have been stacking wins and the Buffs are stacking losses after an awesome first half.

Andy Sandrik: Steel-High 41, Newport 10: The Buffs need this win badly but it’s hard to pick against the Rollers, whose only two losses have come to undefeated teams.

Adam Kulikowski: Steel-High 45, Newport 17: Ending the season on a five game skid isn’t the way the Buffs want to go into the season. But the reality is this program has made serious strides forward in ‘25. That’s what this crew should take into the offseason.

Central Dauphin 28, Chambersburg 20

Andy Shay: Central Dauphin 14, Chambersburg 7: To me these two teams are very similar. They are a small fry short of a Happy Meal on the talent front, but are not easy to beat and give you their very best shot. Intriguing matchup.

Andy Sandrik: Chambersburg 16, Central Dauphin 10: I’m taking a bit of a gamble on Chambersburg, but the Trojans have plenty of motivation with a playoff spot on the line.

Adam Kulikowski: Central Dauphin 21, Chambersburg 14: When you play the three top teams in the Commonwealth Division over the last four weeks, you welcome an opportunity to play a team on more level footing. Rams take advantage. 

James Buchanan 8, Camp Hill 6

Andy Shay: James Buchanan 30, Camp Hill 20: I would love to pick the Lions to get a win this season but as much as my old man softie heart wants the lads wearing blue to get that victory feeling, football-wise it seems a bridge too far.

Andy Sandrik: James Buchanan 28, Camp Hill 14: As tough of a season as it’s been for the winless Lions, no football program in Pennsylvania understands suffering more than the James Buchanan Rockets. Some of that decades-long pain will be alleviated when JB earns its third win on Friday.

Adam Kulikowski: James Buchanan 35, Camp Hill 14: Rockets wrap up a competitive regular season with its third victory while the Lions turn in their helmets in search of answers this offseason. 

Bishop McDevitt 36, State College 20

Andy Shay: State College 27, Bishop McDevitt 24: When I took the scattered puzzle pieces and put it together I found ways to make it work where each team was the better one. So this is just a feeling I have that State College has a little more of the “right stuff” for this matchup to isolate a slight weakness or two the Crusaders possess. Very slight weaknesses I might add.

Andy Sandrik: Bishop McDevitt 35, State College 28: At some point these 7-2 Crusaders are going to get tired of being referred to as a vulnerable team in a down season. McDevitt has a great opportunity to set the record straight when it welcomes SC into Rocco Ortenzio Stadium. 

Adam Kulikowski:  State College 31, Bishop McDevitt 24: Little Lions appear to be a more healthy team heading into this division clash of titans. Doesn’t mean it will be a cruiser.

Northern York 22, Palmyra 21

Andy Shay: Palmyra 29, Northern York 7: When the playing field is nearly level or the Cougars have an edge or two they win those games. And they have not been an easy team to beat.

Andy Sandrik: Palmyra 34, Northern 14: Last chance for the Polar Bears to get in the win column, but Palmyra has been a tough out for all.

Adam Kulikowski: Palmyra 33, Northern York 6: Five of the last six Palmyra games have been decided by one score. If that’s the case in Week 10, tip your cap to the Polar Bears. 

Altoona 31, Carlisle 21

Andy Shay: Altoona 32, Carlisle 13: Mountain Lions have a couple wins and been competitive for the most part despite their record. Carlisle has neither of those and has surrendered 49 or more points in four of its last five games.

Andy Sandrik: Altoona 28, Carlisle 21: Life is not easy for any team in the Commonwealth Division, especially the ones that are bringing up the rear. After taking lumps from the big dogs of the division, I get the sense both the Mountain Lions and Thundering Herd will be eager to compete against someone their own size on Friday.

Adam Kulikowski: Altoona 33, Carlisle 13: This is a nine out of 10 on the confidence meter selection. Mountain Lions have the tools to create separation as both teams look to wrap up the season on a high note.

West Perry 31, Greencastle-Antrim 13

Andy Shay: West Perry 33, Greencastle-Antrim 20: All I know is West Perry has two losses to Trinity and Susquehanna Township. Mustangs have won all the others. That works for me.

Andy Sandrik: West Perry 28, Greencastle-Antrim 21: The Blue Devils were left for dead after a 1-5 start to the season, but they’ve bounced back and now have an outside shot of qualifying for the playoffs if they can find a way to knock off WP. Mustangs will have to play a clean game to outlast motivated Greencastle. 

Adam Kulikowski: West Perry 41, Greencastle-Antrim 24: Both teams have plenty to play for as we wrap up the regular season. Mustangs possess a level of grit and fight that’s admirable.

Lower Dauphin 35, Gettysburg 14

Andy Shay: Lower Dauphin 37, Gettysburg 14: The Falcons are my MPC building block team of 2025. They were battered and bruised early and started from a deep hole and have just kept grinding and digging to put it back together. And the offense has now scored 35 or more points in each of their last three games. Warriors can’t keep up with that.

Andy Sandrik: Lower Dauphin 42, Gettysburg 20: The Falcons have worked way too hard to claw their way back into the playoff picture to let it all slip away now.

Adam Kulikowski: Lower Dauphin 33, Gettysburg 24: Warriors haven’t won a ball game since mid-September while the Falcons have an opportunity to play an 11th game this season.

Mifflin County 21, Red Land 15

Andy Shay: Red Land 27, Mifflin County 20: This won’t be easy for the Patriots and that’s okay. Closing out an eight-win season after years and years of struggling should be hard because the hard is what makes it great. MC is playing its best football of the season. 

Andy Sandrik: Red Land 23, Mifflin County 17: Red Land’s 5-0 start was nice, but what’s impressed me the most is how the Patriots have bounced back from the two tough losses that came after that streak. Red Land will once again face adversity against Mifflin County, but now we know the Patriots are fully equipped to ride out the storm.

Adam Kulikowski: Mifflin County 28, Red Land 27: The Huskies certainly enter this match up as an underdog, but if you’re going to take a shot on a dog, why not one that’s on a bit of a heater?

Juniata 14, Upper Dauphin 7

Andy Shay: Juniata 23, Upper Dauphin 19: Two straight losses for Juniata vs. four straight wins for Upper Dauphin. I see you Trojans. Yet I’m still taking the reliable Indians. 

Andy Sandrik: Upper Dauphin 28, Juniata 14: Momentum, coupled with a sense of urgency, can be an incredible thing. The Trojans – on a four-game winning streak and sitting one spot outside of the district playoff picture – have plenty of both. 

Adam Kulikowski: Upper Dauphin 27, Juniata 21: The fact that the Trojans even have a shot at reaching the postseason after starting the season 0-5 says a lot about the leadership on and off the field in UD. 

Big Spring 31, East Pennsboro 21

Andy Shay: East Pennsboro 24, Big Spring 14: Both these teams are right on the playoff bubble in their respective PIAA District 3 classes. So there’s a lot at stake. Bulldogs are sliding and Panthers run hot and cold. Trade paint boys!

Andy Sandrik: East Pennsboro 21, Big Spring 17: The Panthers and Bulldogs both started the season with 4-1 records, but it’s looking more and more like the loser of this game could miss the playoffs.

Adam Kulikowski: East Pennsboro 31, Big Spring 24: All eyes will be on this tussle to see who can secure that coveted playoff berth.

Line Mountain 63, Susquenita 14

Andy Shay: Line Mountain 42, Susquenita 6: The last time the Blackhawks scored more than two touchdowns in a game was Week 1. Eagles will cruise into the postseason.

Andy Sandrik: Line Mountain 61, Susquenita 7: The Eagles have surpassed 60 points twice this season against quality programs in Newport and Halifax. Make it three times when LM visits Cove on Friday night.

Adam Kulikowski: Line Mountain 58, Susquenita 7: Eagles get one final tune up before the postseason kicks off. 

Hershey 29, Waynesboro 16

Andy Shay: Hershey 38, Waynesboro 7: Two of the Trojans’ three losses were by three points and one of those was in OT. The other is a 7-0 defeat to Mechanicsburg last week. In other words they are a bit better than their 6-3 record.

Andy Sandrik: Hershey 35, Waynesboro 14: As good as Hershey has been this season, it still sits one spot outside of the 12-team, District 3-5A playoff picture. Needless to say, this is a must-win game for Cam Sweeney and the Trojans.

Adam Kulikowski: Hershey 43, Waynesboro 7:  There’s simply no way the Trojans don’t take care of their business with a district playoff berth on the line. 

Trinity 28, Middletown 27

Andy Shay: Trinity 20, Middletown 0: Only Susquehanna Township last week cracked the 20-point barrier on the T-Rocks defense this season. That’s all I have to say about that, really.

Andy Sandrik: Trinity 14, Middletown 7: The Blue Raiders have been punching above their weight class all season and I think they’ll be in this game until the end. Trinity’s defense, however, will have the last say.

Adam Kulikowski: Trinity 28, Middletown 7: When your team gives up less than 10 points per game, you’re going to win your share of games. 

Halifax 52, Boiling Springs 20

Andy Shay: Halifax 42, Boiling Springs 6: Not only did the Wildcats beat Juniata last week, they thumped the Indians convincingly. Win No. 7 for Halifax is on deck.

Andy Sandrik: Halifax 39, Boiling Springs 14: A victory on Friday would give Halifax more wins in 2025 than the last four years combined.

Adam Kulikowski: Halifax 43, Boiling Springs 6: After tossing four picks in a blowout loss to Line Mountain, Wildcats quarterback Ryder Tobias has tossed just one in the last four outings. That’s what turning a corner looks like. 

Saturday, October 25

Harrisburg 28, CD East 6

Andy Shay: Harrisburg 28, CD East 7: They like to say funny things happen when these two teams square off. And some of it might still happen. And for the Panthers it still won’t be near enough to slay this giant.

Andy Sandrik: Harrisburg 35, CD East 6: After a long layoff Messiah Mickens returned to the Harrisburg lineup last week. The live reps from this game will go a long way toward fine-tuning Mickens for what could be a deep postseason run. 

Adam Kulikowski: Harrisburg 42, CD East 7: Cougars do what they need to do to ensure their key players are as ready for the postseason as possible. 

Susquehanna Twp. 49, at Milton Hershey 16

Andy Shay: Susquehanna Township 42, Milton Hershey 14: Time to put a bow on that perfect regular season for the Hanna Tribe. Make sure to take time to celebrate appropriately before moving on because 10-0 isn’t as easy as it looks … EVER!

Andy Sandrik: Susquehanna Twp. 44, Milton Hershey 7: Milton Hershey’s defense has shown some improvement over the back half of the season, but the Spartans will have their hands full against a ‘Hanna team putting up more than 40 points per game. The Tribe roll to 10-0.

Adam Kulikowski: Susquehanna Twp. 55, Milton Hershey 14: Tip of the cap to Joe Headen and this talented gaggle of young lads who put behind them undeserved offseason turmoil and will rip off an undefeated regular season with a victory in Week 10. 

Andy Shay 16-3; 125-37

Andy Sandrik: 13-6; 121-41

Adam Kulikowski 14-5; 119-43

Bishop McDevitt 49, CD East 7

Andy Shay: Bishop McDevitt 42, CD East 0: Doesn’t get any easier for the Panthers, who are on a four-game slide and struggling to put points on the board. McD is playing arguably its most solid ball of the season these days.

Andy Sandrik: Bishop McDevitt 37, CD East 7: The Crusaders got a good push from Central Dauphin last week. Not sure the same can be expected from the Rams’ intra-district counterpart at East.

Adam Kulikowski: Bishop McDevitt 49, CD East 7: Crusaders simply are on another level from their Harrisburg counterpart.

Greencastle-Antrim 26, Boiling Springs 13

Andy Shay: Greencastle-Antrim 35, Boiling Springs 7: Make it three in a row for the surging Blue Devils after that one-point upset of Juniata last week. 

Andy Sandrik: Greencastle-Antrim 42, Boiling Springs 16: The Blue Devils have found a rhythm behind the running of RB Blake Reuter, who has a good chance to record his fourth 100-yard game in six weeks.

Adam Kulikowski: Greencastle-Antrim 33, Boiling Springs 13: While the Bubblers didn’t win last week, the team did score a season-high 21 points. Sometimes progress isn’t measured in wins and losses.

Cumberland Valley 7, Chambersburg 0

Andy Shay: Cumberland Valley 27, Chambersburg 7: Full credit to the Eagles for giving the Cougars 60 minutes of their very best a week ago. As long as that effort doesn’t come with a heavy price, expect the Eagles to perform well against a Trojans squad that has won two straight.

Andy Sandrik: Cumberland Valley 14, Chambersburg 7: I was this close to taking the surging Trojans, who actually rank ahead of CV in the district power rankings, but then I remembered the elite defensive unit possessed by the Eagles. It’s that defense that should make the difference in what I expect to be a tightly-contested game.

Adam Kulikowski:  Cumberland Valley 21, Chambersburg 14: The Eagles showed plenty of potential last week against powerhouse Harrisburg, but taking the Trojans lightly would be unwise. 

West Perry 27, Milton Hershey 20

Andy Shay: West Perry 30, Milton Hershey 16: Feel like a game where the Mustangs have to mind their P’s & Q’s and don’t get caught napping cause the Spartans have huge holes but have also won two straight. The better team is West Perry.

Andy Sandrik: West Perry 34, Milton Hershey 14: After a winless start to the season, the Spartans have been playing confident football in recent weeks. West Perry, however, represents a big jump in competition from what Milton Hershey has seen in recent weeks. 

Adam Kulikowski: West Perry 41, Milton Hershey 21: The Mustangs match up well with the Spartans defense which is yielding 30 points per game on average.

State College 58, Carlisle 8

Andy Shay: State College 42, Carlisle 0: That’s just the way it is this season for the Thundering Herd.

Andy Sandrik: State College 44, Carlisle 7: If you’re a Carlisle fan, it was encouraging to see the Herd erupt for 19 points last week after managing just 14 over the first seven games combined. There are signs of life in Carlisle, but it will take much more than that to knock out this heavyweight of the Commonwealth Division.

Adam Kulikowski:  State College 55, Carlisle 6: No one likes to make predictions like this, but the Thundering Herd are a crew building for next season in Week 9.

Lower Dauphin 41, Waynesboro 17

Andy Shay: Lower Dauphin 34, Waynesboro 20: Remember when the Falcons were 0-2 and we were all wondering what was going on. Five wins in six games later – the only loss was by a FG to Shippensburg – and LD has put its stake in the playoff seeking ground.

Andy Sandrik: Lower Dauphin 36, Waynesboro 18: I really like the grit of this LD team, which keeps coming back no matter how hard it gets punched in the mouth. This resilience has turned into momentum for the Falcons, who now have a great opportunity to win for the sixth time in seven weeks.

Adam Kulikowski: Lower Dauphin 28, Waynesboro 21: Half of the Falcons games have been decided by one score or less. Don’t expect LD to be flustered by a tight battle. 

Line Mountain. 49, Camp Hill 13

Andy Shay: Line Mountain 49, Camp Hill 7: The winless Lions have surrendered 43 or more points in all but one game. It’s hard to remain competitive with those numbers. Eagles roll. 

Andy Sandrik: Line Mountain 48, Camp Hill 0: A true David vs. Goliath matchup when the 0-8 Lions visit the 8-0 Eagles. It’s going to take much more than a small stone, however, for Camp Hill to slay this giant.

Adam Kulikowski: Line Mountain 45, Camp Hill 13: Lions defense has been susceptible to giving up chunk plays all season. Expect the Eagles to take full advantage.

Susquehanna Twp. 24, Trinity 14

Andy Shay: Susquehanna Township 21, Trinity 13: This is the matchup we’ve all waited for because it’s so crystal clear that it’s all about the Hanna Tribe high-octane offense vs. the T-Rocks stingy defense. Three touchdowns is the number I see as enough for the Tribe. It will NOT be easy to get there, though.

Andy Sandrik: Susquehanna Township 28, Trinity 21: I expect a close contest, but I’ll take the turbo-charged Tribe offense over the stout Trinity defense. 

Adam Kulikowski:  Susquehanna Twp. 24, Trinity 21: Look, if anyone can knock off the Tribe, I think the Shamrocks pose a huge threat. Having said that, the Tribe are the favorites coming in and should be treated as such. 

Halifax 32, Juniata 7

Andy Shay: Halifax 22, Juniata 21: Why do I already regret making this pick. But I’m gonna ride the Wildcats defense to be a difference maker and stick to my guns.

Andy Sandrik: Juniata 24, Halifax 18: I think Juniata’s loss to a run-based Greencastle squad may actually pay dividends this week in a crucial Capital Division tilt with Halifax, another team that thrives on running the ball.

Adam Kulikowski: Juniata 28, Halifax 21: The Wildcats enter this fray on a four game heater–surrendering no more than 13 points per game during the streak. Indians raise the bar on the level of competition this week. 

Steel-High 52, Susquenita 8

Andy Shay: Steel-High 46, Susquenita 0: Find me a bad loss on the Rollers schedule. This is still the best small-school team in District 3 by a long shot. And the Blackhawks have exactly one touchdown the last 12 quarters. 

Andy Sandrik: Steel-High 36, Susquenita 0: With everything going on around Steelton – the least concerning of which is the lack of a true home field for the Rollers – you have to appreciate how well Andrew Erby’s squad has rolled with the punches and stayed locked in this fall.

Adam Kulikowski: Steel-High 41, Susquenita 7: I’m predicting a late ‘Nita touchdown to break that 12-quarter scoreless streak. The outcome, however, is not in question.

Shippensburg 28, Northern York 7

Andy Shay: Shippensburg 31, Northern York 0: Pretty sure there will be some extra fire in the Greyhounds’ belly after taking one on the chin from Red Land. Clear the Polar Bears are starting over this season under new management.

Andy Sandrik: Shippensburg 28, Northern York 7: A Mid-Penn insider once told me that Eric Foust-coached Ship teams never lose back-to-back games. There’s some truth to that, as the Hounds have experienced losing streaks in just three of the last 10 seasons.

Adam Kulikowski: Shippensburg 34, Northern York 6: Not sure what is happening inside the walls of the Polar Bears complex, but it’s clear this is a team rebuilding. 

East Pennsboro 24, James Buchanan 0

Andy Shay: East Pennsboro 28, James Buchanan 14: Been a rough ride for these Panthers, who have dropped three straight by a touchdown or less each time. That ends in this one to inch a game over the .500 mark.

Andy Sandrik: East Pennsboro 35, James Buchanan 13: You’ve got to feel for this JB squad that has had one of its more competitive seasons in recent history, but only has two wins to show for it. Breaking out of a six-game losing streak will be an uphill battle for the Rockets against a quality East Penn side that is eager to snap its own losing skid.

Adam Kulikowski: East Pennsboro  31, James Buchanan 24: A few different bounces and we’re talking about a Panthers team that is 7-1 heading into this Week 9 tussle.  Panthers feel more equipped to snap their 3-game skid.

Cedar Cliff 28, Altoona 6

Andy Shay: Cedar Cliff 28, Altoona 3: Points have really dried up for Altoona, and the Colts just seem to have more pieces of the puzzle.

Andy Sandrik: Cedar Cliff 30, Altoona 17: With a 4-4 record the Colts sit comfortably at No. 6 in the District 3-6A  power rankings. Winning this game, a contest Cedar Cliff is favored to win, will only improve the playoff landscape for the Colts.

Adam Kulikowski:  Cedar Cliff 34, Altoona 14: There’s a bulletin board in Altoona somewhere that these picks get pinned up on. I simply see more options for the Colts to win than the Mountain Lions.

Upper Dauphin 35, Newport 14

Andy Shay: Newport 29, Upper Dauphin 26: I expect this one to be a tight squeeze all the way in a clear toss-up game in my book. 

Andy Sandrik: Upper Dauphin 28, Newport 21: The Trojans are winners of three straight, but extending that streak to four games against the Buffs will be a difficult assignment. This appears to be a 50-50 game, but I’m rolling with UD because of the momentum and home-field advantage.

Adam Kulikowski: Upper Dauphin 34, Newport 27: It took the Trojans four weeks of play to score 21 points. Over the last four weeks, UD’s offense has scored no less than 35. While strength of opponents is a factor, it’s clear the Trojans have found a rhythm. 

Red Land 22, Palmyra 13

Andy Shay: Red Land 28, Palmyra 14: Granting the Cougars have over performed this season and have every right to feel good about where they climbed to this season. Red Land is simply the overall better team and that still matters.

Andy Sandrik: Red Land 24, Palmyra 18: I think I’m back on the Red Land bandwagon after the Patriots’ convincing win over Shippensburg. A win over a much-improved Palmyra squad is expected, but won’t be easy. 

Adam Kulikowski: Red Land 21, Palmyra 14: If anyone was wondering if the shine wore off the Patriots after two straight loses, the answer was a resounding no. Just ask Shippensburg.

Mechanicsburg 7, Hershey 0

Andy Shay: Mechanicsburg 28, Hershey 21: Give me the Wildcats defense against one of the more explosive and elusive quarterbacks in the MPC. Key for Mechanicsburg will be the offense just doing its part.

Andy Sandrik: Mechanicsburg 38, Hershey 28: Classic matchup of Man vs. Machine, with the man being Hershey QB Cam Sweeney and the machine being Mechanicsburg, particularly the Wildcats’ defense.

Adam Kulikowski: Hershey 31, Mechanicsburg 28: Would this truly be considered an upset? Trojans posses the biggest X-factor in the game and a supporting cast that won’t allow Mechanicsburg to sell out to stop HIM (Cam Sweeney). 

Middletown 20, Big Spring 17

Andy Shay: Middletown 14, Big Spring 10: All I know is when you play the Blue Raiders you better show up because what they lack in overall talent gets more than made up for in next level grit and effort.

Andy Sandrik: Middletown 18, Big Spring 14: I’m unclear on the extent of Grady Hope’s injury, but I do know the Bulldogs have gone 1-2 since his departure from the lineup. Middletown may have turned the corner after a big win over East Pennsboro.

Adam Kulikowski: Middletown 21, Big Spring 20: Recency bias is a dangerous beast, but I’m tempting fate here after the Blue Raiders took care of East Penn last week in what might have been the team’s best win of the season. 

Mifflin County 34, Gettysburg 21

Andy Shay: Mifflin County 37, Gettysburg 21: Two ships heading in opposite directions as they cross paths with MC running white hot and the Warriors on a slide in the wrong direction. Ahhhhh the ebbs and flows of a season.

Andy Sandrik: Mifflin County 33, Gettysburg 28: With three wins over the last four games, the Huskies have a little more traction and confidence than the Warriors, who are trying to snap a four-game losing streak.

Adam Kulikowski: Mifflin County 41, Gettysburg 31: Difference to me in this one is a Warriors defense who is yielding more than 30 points per game this season. Plenty of opportunities for the Huskies to light up the scoreboard.

Saturday, October 18, 1

Harrisburg 27, Central Dauphin 0

Andy Shay: Harrisburg 33, Central Dauphin 14: Cougars will ask questions of the Rams they simply are not capable of answering this season over the course of 48 minutes. CD will require Harrisburg to earn what it gets, though. Easy street is closed.

Andy Sandrik: Harrisburg 32, Central Dauphin 18: CD put up quite the fight with Bishop McDevitt last weekend. It’s good to see the Rams making a return toward being competitive in the Commonwealth, but I think they’re just a few pieces short to knock off the big dogs in the division.

Adam Kulikowski: Harrisburg 41, Central Dauphin 21: Coach Cal will want to see the Cougars play a clean four quarters after turning the ball over far too many times last week. Accomplish that mission and Harrisburg should continue its undefeated season.  

Standings:

Name; Week 7; Overall

Andy Shay 16-3; 109-34

Andy Sandrik: 17-2; 108-35

Adam Kulikowski 15-4; 105-38

Thursday, October 9

Milton Hershey 49, Boiling Springs 21

Andy Shay: Milton Hershey 33, Boiling Springs 13: Bubblers simply can’t keep anybody from making the scoreboard click over at a consistent pace. Spartans get their crack at win No. 2 this week.

Andy Sandrik: Milton Hershey 35, Boiling Springs 14: The Bubblers haven’t been in a close game since their Week 1 win over Littlestown. They’ll have more opportunities against the one-win Spartans, but that street goes both ways, and I think Milton Hershey’s offense will make a difference in this game.

Adam Kulikowski: Milton Hershey 35, Boiling Springs 7: While the Spartans have faced their own struggles this season, their offense has shown potential. That should be enough to get win No. 2 this week. 

Harrisburg 21, Cumberland Valley 16

Andy Shay: Harrisburg 35, Cumberland Valley 7: And l think the Eagles have a pretty good defense. That tells you what the Cougars have cooking this season.

Andy Sandrik: Harrisburg 28, Cumberland Valley 10: After surrendering a loss to CV at Severance Field last year, Harrisburg will come into this game looking to make an example out of the Eagles. 

Adam Kulikowski: Harrisburg 35, Cumberland Valley 17: The only teams to truly challenge the Cougars were fellow juggernauts State College and Bishop McDevitt. Not sure the Eagles have the pieces to rise to that level.

Line Mountain 54, James Buchanan 8

Andy Shay: Line Mountain 45, James Buchanan 13: There’s a little gut check in this undefeated Line Mountain team that is going to be unleashed on the Rockets.

Andy Sandrik: Line Mountain 38, James Buchanan 12: The Eagles have won their last two games by a total of three points. Look for unbeaten LM to win by much more than against the slumping Rockets.

Adam Kulikowski: Line Mountain 41, James Buchanan 14: After two back-to-back nail biters in which the Eagles won by a combined three points, Eagles should have a more comfortable match up this week. 

Middletown 14, East Pennsboro 10

Andy Shay: East Pennsboro 21, Middletown 14: Counting on the Panthers hitting on a couple explosive plays to offset the Blue Raiders defense. Big time toss up game for me.

Andy Sandrik: East Pennsboro 24, Middletown 17: Both squads have had their share of heartbreak over these last few weeks. The team that can best keep its head and roll with the punches will be the one that comes out on top.

Adam Kulikowski: East Pennsboro 28, Middletown 21: Coaches love to talk about creating explosive plays. Well, the Panthers created three, including a pair of 80-yard touchdown receptions last week in a narrow loss to division-leading Susquehanna Twp and six more the week before against West Perry. Can the Blue Raiders keep the Panther’s powder dry? .

State College 39, CD East 14

Andy Shay: State College 44, CD East 7: Too much depth on the offensive weapons depth chart for the Panthers to handle.

Andy Sandrik: State College 41, CD East 14: There are just too many ways that State College can do damage for me to predict a close game. Sophomore Connor Kulka continues to impress with 18 TDs against just two INTs.

Adam Kulikowski: State College 48, CD East 14:  Little Lions running back D’Antae Sheffey has an excellent opportunity to reach 1,000 rushing yards on the season this week despite missing a week of action. The senior needs just 127 stripes to reach the milestone. 

Bishop McDevitt 48, Central Dauphin 21

Andy Shay: Bishop McDevitt 35, Central Dauphin 7: I’m looking for the McD defense to be a difference maker in this one against a Rams squad that will battle but that’s about the best it can muster.

Andy Sandrik: Bishop McDevitt 35, Central Dauphin 14: I’m sure Central Dauphin, a tougher squad now than in recent years, will take a lot of pride in giving McDevitt its best effort. But even if the Rams fire on all cylinders, it’s hard to imagine them holding serve with the Crusaders for four full quarters.

Adam Kulikowski:Bishop McDevitt 45, Central Dauphin 20: Crusaders unleash a three-headed monster in the backfield each week with Nazir Jones-Davis, Jerome Larue and Maurice Barnes each averaging more than 5.6 yards per carry. 

Cedar Cliff 57, Carlisle 19

Andy Shay: Cedar Cliff 42, Carlisle 7: Get your points and work in you need to get done and call off the dogs. It costs nothing to be football nice to a struggling opponent.

Andy Sandrik: Cedar Cliff 34, Carlisle 7: The Colts will be expected to win this game comfortably, if not by mercy rule. 

Adam Kulikowski: Cedar Cliff 45, Carlisle 6: The Colts have to be happy to see Carlisle on the docket this week against running through alligator ally over the last month. 

Halifax 23, Newport 0

Andy Shay: Newport 29, Halifax 28: There is not logical reason for this pick other than too many fruity drinks in the 50th state the last few weeks. Halifax is the favorite but give me the Buffs.

Andy Sandrik: Halifax 28, Newport 17: A matchup of two teams that could possibly meet in the District 3-2A postseason. I’ll go with the surging Wildcats for this contest.

Adam Kulikowski: Halifax 34, Newport 28: Two resurgent teams square off in this one–now that’s a feel-good story! Wildcats seem to have a few more weapons at their disposal. 

Susquehanna Twp. 35, Big Spring 6

Andy Shay: Susquehanna Township 35, Big Spring 14: Hasn’t been as easy for the Tribe the last couple weeks, but stacking wins is what matters and the pictures of how they look are for everybody else to decide through their own lens. All I know is Big Spring is good and won’t have a say in the outcome.

Andy Sandrik: Susquehanna Twp. 39, Big Spring 18: As good as the Bulldogs have been as a team this season, I’m not certain they have the individual personnel to match up with the star-studded tribe.

Adam Kulikowski: Susquehanna Twp. 41, Big Spring 14: Are the Tribe angry that they had to fight for four quarters against East Pennsboro last week to earn their victory? I see a resharpened effort from Coach Headen’s crew this week.  

Chambersburg 28, Altoona 10

Andy Shay: Chambersburg 34, Altoona 30: In a matchup where the offense for both teams has been MIA more than an asset this season, why not pick a shootout with a little crazy final result.

Andy Sandrik: Altoona 35, Chambersburg 28: Offense has been hard to come by for both teams this season, so let’s make an unhinged prediction and call for a shootout at Mansion Park on Friday.

Adam Kulikowski: Altoona 28, Chambersburg 14: Every time I pick against the Mountain Lions, I get a look of disdain from my wife–an Altoona alum. Not this week! 

Steel-High 26, Camp Hill 12

Andy Shay: Steel-High 54, Camp Hill 7: This simply won’t be a level playing field or a fair fight. That’s how it’s playing out this season for the Rollers and Lions.

Andy Sandrik: Steel-High 49, Camp Hill 7: The Rollers are scoring over 30 points a game, while the Lions are allowing more than 40 per night. All signs point to a Steel-High blowout win.

Adam Kulikowski: Steel-High 55, Camp Hill 6: Tough to see this one staying within striking distance for the Lions. Rollers dictate what the final score looks like. 

Upper Dauphin 38, Susquenita 7

Andy Shay: Upper Dauphin 30, Susquenita 20: Head down to your local bowling alley and watch a ringer fire off a turkey – three strikes in a row. That will match the win streak UDA is about to post.

Andy Sandrik: Upper Dauphin 32, Susquenita 18: Just when we thought the UD program was in a complete freefall this season, the Trojans have clawed back with a two-game winning streak. Make that three games after this week.

Adam Kulikowski: Upper Dauphin 45, Susquenita 7: It took the Trojans some time, but UD’s troops have found their footing in the season’s second half. That momentum continues for another sennight.

Hershey 42, Northern York 14

Andy Shay: Hershey 40, Northern York 7: When you have trouble keeping up on the scoreboard and the visiting team has a bona-fide start at QB that spells all kinds of trouble for the home lads from Dillsburg.

Andy Sandrik: Hershey 30, Northern York 7: As a writer for the Dillsburg Banner who’s been following these Northern kids since they were Smurfs, this season has been a tough watch. The script shows no signs of flipping against Cam Sweeney and the Trojans.

Adam Kulikowski: Hershey 38, Northern York 6: Polar Bears have eclipsed the 20-point mark on offense just twice this season. 

Red Land 23, Shippensburg 7

Andy Shay: Red Land 29, Shippensburg 27: Why not, right? Fully aware the Patriots are on a two-game slide after that stellar 5-0 start. They are still playing good ball and that matters. Ship is the favorite and has earned that.

Andy Sandrik: Shippensburg 28, Red Land 21: The Greyhounds have had a knack for winning close games this season and have an unbeaten record in the Keystone to show for it. Can they keep the ship sailing?

Adam Kulikowski: Shippensburg 35, Red Land 24: Patriots dropped its last two match ups against some of the best competition faced all year. Sledding doesn’t get any easier against Shippensburg in Week 8.

Trinity 38, West Perry 14

Andy Shay: Trinity 14, West Perry 7: I just don’t think the Mustangs offense has enough horsepower to get two touchdowns on this T-Rocks defense. If they score two or more TD’s the chances of winning increase greatly.

Andy Sandrik: West Perry 17, Trinity 13: I’m a WP football alumni, so it’s not out of the ordinary to see me side with the Mustangs in 50-50 games. But this Trinity defense, which has allowed an average of four points per game during the Shamrocks’ five-game winning streak, has me concerned.

Adam Kulikowski: Trinity 21, West Perry 20: Trinity is riding a five-game winning streak in which they’ve allowed no more than 8 points in a game. 

Greencastle-Antrim 21, Juniata 20

Andy Shay: Juniata 34, Greencastle-Antrim 13: The spit and fire the Blue Devils will bring to the table won’t phase the Indians one little bit.

Andy Sandrik: Juniata 24, Greencastle-Antrim 21: Yes, the Blue Devils are a two-win team and yes, Juniata is confident right now. But Greencastle is a step up in competition from what the Indians have seen in recent weeks, and if they overlook that, it could cost them the game.

Adam Kulikowski: Juniata 33, Greencastle-Antrim 14: This match up looks a lot closer if aliens abduct Jasper Shepps. But barring extraterrestrial intervention, Shepps is an absolute game wrecker in all facets of the game.

Lower Dauphin 35, Mifflin County 26

Andy Shay: Lower Dauphin 26, Mifflin County 13: The way LD has been building from the early-season ashes has been impressive. Will take their best to keep rolling as MC brings a little extra to the table that could wobble the Falcons.

Andy Sandrik: Lower Dauphin 23, Mifflin County 12: The Falcons, coming off their best offensive and defensive showing of the season, are in a great spot to win for the fourth time in five weeks.

Adam Kulikowski: Lower Dauphin 24, Mifflin County 7: The Falcons are winners of their last four of five games and they done it as a unit, getting contributions up and down their roster.

Mechanicsburg 32, Waynesboro 17

Andy Shay: Mechanicsburg 30, Waynesboro 7: Wildcats stay grounded and take care of what is right in front of them as they prepare for the heavy lifting that’s going to be required in the final two weeks. Defense wins this one in my book.

Andy Sandrik: Mechanicsburg 32, Waynesboro 10: If the Wildcats don’t get caught looking ahead to Hershey and Shippensburg, they’ve got enough talent on both sides of the ball to win this one comfortably.

Adam Kulikowski: Mechanicsburg 35, Waynesboro 14:  Not going to overthink this one. All signs point to Mechanicsburg handling the Indians without a major issue.

Saturday, October 11

Palmyra 43, Gettysburg 35

Andy Shay: Gettysburg 27, Palmyra 18: Warriors have been kicked around a bit the last three weeks on a playing field that wasn’t level. This one is more balanced and I see some matchup advantages I like that put the Cougars in a tough spot.

Andy Sandrik: Gettysburg 25, Palmyra 18: This feels like a coin-flip game, but something tells me Preston Burnett and the Warriors’ offense can scrape together enough points to pull away from Palmyra.

Adam Kulikowski: Gettysburg 28, Palmyra 21: After back-to-back weeks yielding at least 47 points, Gettysburg looks to find its footing defensively. Palmyra provides an opportunity.