4th Down Magazine Mid-Penn Conference Player of the Week Sponsored by Crown Trophy of Harrisburg

It was a race between a pair of freshmen running backs.

And D’antae Sheffey crossed the line first. The State College rookie is this week’s 4th Down Magazine Player of the Week after an electric third game in which he ran for 207 yards on 17 carries and scored three times in a 45-3 drubbing of Hollidaysburg.

Sheffey beat Halifax freshman Cohen Bechtel with 2,967 votes to Bechtel’s 2,107. They were far and away the top performers this week.

Sheffey has been on a tear to start his varsity career. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound frosh has 411 yards and six TDs on 40 carries (that’s 10.3 yards per carry for you math wizards. He’s run for no less than 94 yards so far. Quite a start.

There were 5,824 votes cast this week. Carlisle senior RB Jaqueece Morell finished third with 274 votes.

Colonial-Schuylkill League Player of the Week

In a race that garnered more than 27,782 votes, Tri-Valley’s Kole Miller jumped out to a big lead and never looked back. The senior quarterback’s faithful pumped in a whopping 15,476 votes to top the 10,178 votes secured by Williams Valley’s Brady Evans.

In it up to their necks with a determined Line Mountain side, Miller used his arm and his legs to bring the Bulldogs back and ultimately prevail 35-28 over their former Twin Valley Conference rivals. Miller completed just 6 of his 21 throws – he was picked off once – but amassed 194 yards through the air. His 2 touchdown passes covered 28 and 20 yards to Jolten Flory as Tri-Valley (3-0) pulled to within seven (21-14) at halftime. With the ‘Dawgs down 28-14 entering the fourth quarter, Miller (9 carries, 69 yards) wheeled for scores of 15 and 23 yards to pull Jeff Sampson’s club even midway through the fourth.

Andy Shay’s Elite 11 after Week No. 3

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Each week, we’re scouring the Mid-Penn, Lancaster-Lebanon, and York conferences to determine the top 11 teams in the area regardless of classification. Take a look at which teams made the cut after Week 3. Disagree, let us know on Twitter (@4thdownmag) and Facebook.

11. Shippensburg3-010
Received a full-metal-jacket test from Spring Grove and passed with flying colors in posting a 21-14 victory. Beating fellow quality opponents by seven points is still a good win.
10. Lampeter-Strasburg2-19
Since losing their opener to fellow Elite 11 club Solanco in the opener, the Pioneers have outscored the opposition 89-7. This team will continue to get better.
9. Central York2-18
Was in a tight one all the way with previously unbeaten Hempfield before pulling off a 10-point triumph. Panthers can expect another test from Spring Grove this week.
8.Manheim Township2-1NR
Beat the Cougars on the road at Severance Field with a winning touchdown in the dying seconds. Only loss was to Cumberland Valley, and that took a big-play rally from the Eagles in the second half to get the job done.
7. Wyomissing3-05
Trinity provided the Spartans their best test of the season to date and Wyomissing still beat the Shamrocks by 21 points. But it clearly wasn’t easy.
6. Solanco3-04
The Golden Mules nearly were an upset victim at the hands of Penn Manor. Winning by only three points against the Comets and surrendering 26 points means it wasn’t anything near an “A Game” effort for Solanco.
5. Cumberland Valley3-07
The only losses for the Eagles’ first three opponents — Manheim Township, Central York and Spring-Ford — came at the hands of CV. Being 3-0 is a real statement at this point.
4. Manheim Central3-06
Cocalico had 332 yards on the ground, and it still wasn’t enough against the Barons. QB Zac Hahn countered with nearly 300 yards through the air and four touchdowns.
3. Harrisburg1-12
Cougars had chances to put Manheim Township away late and didn’t. And the Blue Streaks made them pay with a touchdown in the dying seconds to claim a 24-20 victory. Another test on deck from a Carlisle team that can score points, but has some defensive challenges.
2. Exeter Township3-03
For the second time in three weeks the Eagles posted a 35-0 victory. Exeter’s three opponents are a combined 2-7 this season, so there’s not exactly much meat on the bone competition-wise. Doesn’t seem that will change much with 1-2 Governor Mifflin on deck.
1. Bishop McDevitt1-11
Had to wait an extra week for the response from the Crusaders after that Week 1 setback to hammer Imhotep. And good gracious what a response. Taking La Salle College out to the woodshed with a 56-7 win is a clear message delivered.