THE STREAK IS OVER!:

The last time Mifflin County football won a ball game, Lizzo’s Truth Hurts was the No. 1 hit on the billboard charts. What year was it? If you guessed 2019 — specifically October 18, 2019 against Greencastle — you won today’s grand prize!

All joking aside, cheers to first-year coach Shane Breon and the boys in black and purple who Friday night KO’ed a 17-game skid by defeating Central Mountain 14-7.

Breon, a Lewistown native, returned to the Huskies after serving as an assistant for Central York. It didn’t take long to push the Huskies into the win column thanks to a big performance from running back Deakon Sheaffer, who gashed the Central Mountain defense for 126 stripes and both scores to pace Mifflin County.  

WELCOME HOME:

Red Land coach Eric Depew knows a thing or two about winning ball games, yet Friday night’s game, a 45-6 loss to Northern, still had to be a special moment for the former York Catholic skipper. Depew, who led the Squires to three District 3 titles during his tenure, used to roam the halls of Red Land (1989 alum) and continues to call the district home. Now, he’s tasked with rebuilding a program that won just two ball games last season. He’ll take his second shot at win No. 1 as a Patriot when Red Land hosts Northeastern Friday night at West Shore Stadium.

Flashing an effective passing game that complemented its run-first philosophy, Juniata emerged with a 20-7 victory over Clearfield in a season-opening game that began last Friday and ended some 24 hours later at Mifflintown’s Klingensmith Stadium.

Aaron Kanagy completed nine of 14 passes for 199 yards to lead Kurt Condo’s Indians (1-0), connecting with tight end Makih Hunt for an 18-yard touchdown that had the hosts sitting on a 12-0 lead in the first half. Waylon Ehrenzeller’s 35-yard burst earlier in the contest – the game was suspended midway through the opening quarter – had Juniata up 6-0.

Hunt finished with three catches for 105 yards.

Ehrenzeller paced the Indians with 85 yards on 13 carries, while Seth Laub added 54 on seven totes. Freshman Jasper Shepps backed Hunt by catching two passes for 40 yards.

Laub finished with a team-high eight tackles for the Indians, one more than Ehrenzeller (one sack) and lineman Lane Peiper. Shepps added his first career interception.

Up next for Juniata is a visit to Selinsgrove (1-0), which popped Bellefonte 32-0 behind 208 passing yards and two touchdowns from quarterback Mark Pastore (10-for-16). Gavin Bastian was the Seals’ big-play target, catching five passes for 155 yards and a 60-yard score.

Carter Young booted four field goals in four tries for Derek Hicks’ Seals.

POWERFUL HAMMER HEADED FOR MANDATA

While Line Mountain hopes to rebound from its season-opening 41-13 reversal at Penns Valley, it won’t be a simple task since fourth-ranked Danville (1-0) is en route to Ressler Field.

What’s disappointing for Brandon Carson’s Eagles (0-1), who led the host Rams 7-0 after one quarter and 13-7 at the halftime break. Nolan Baumert rushed for one touchdown, while Brayden Boyer hauled in a 35-yard scoring pass from Blake Readinger for the other.

Three turnovers pestered Line Mountain, but so did an effective Penns Valley attack. QB Jackson Romig completed 15 of 28 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns. Miles Brooks (7-86), Hunter Lyons (2-21) and Josh Lieb (1-10) were on the receiving end of Romig’s TD heaves.

Ty Watson rushed 20 times for 125 yards for the Rams (1-0).

Danville (1-0) motored past Bloomsburg 58-0 behind an efficient offense led by feature back Ty Brown-Stauffer. A West Point commit, Brown-Stauffer rushed 10 times for 142 yards, scoring on runs of 38 and 5 yards. Aaron Johnson added 49 yards on 4 carries, including a 35-yard TD.

Quarterbacks Zach Gordon (6-8-0, 53 yards) and Madden Patrick (1-2-0, 43 yards) combined for 96 yards passing and three touchdowns. Gordon tossed scoring passes of 8 and 15 yards to blur Carson Persing, while Patrick’s lone completion covered 43 yards to Johnson for another score.

The Ironmen scored on five straight first-half possessions and on their first series after halftime.

Danville’s defense also stymied Bloomsburg, limiting the Panthers to 59 total yards. Mike Brennan’s club also returned a fumble and a pick for scores and recorded a safety.

UPPER DAUPHIN LOOKING TO EVEN ITS RECORD

Despite bouncing to a 16-0 advantage against neighboring Williams Valley, Kent Smeltz’s Upper Dauphin Trojans wound up tumbling 42-30 despite 185 total offensive yards from elusive senior halfback Brady Morgan. Morgan even connected on a 97-yard TD run.

Morgan finished with 160 yards on nine carries, but also snared three Aidan Bingaman passes for 25 yards and another score. Bingaman (4 of 8 passing, 83 yards) also hooked up with Konner Walker for a 58-yard touchdown pass.

Sophomore linebacker Caleb Snyder fueled the UD defense by making 12 tackles – three more than the nine registered by Alex Hepler and Aidan Ritter.

Up next for UDA is a visit to Shenandoah Valley, which opened with a 40-14 loss to Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech. The Blue Devils managed just 13 rushing yards collectively, but junior QB Ben Dempster completed 12 of his 22 passes for 159 yards and one touchdown.

Junior Nick Ryan had a huge effort in the loss, making 11 catches for 202 yards and both scores.

MOVING THE STICKS

Halifax (0-1) tumbled 48-6 to visiting Hamburg last weekend, falling into a 36-0 deficit it couldn’t escape. Teegan Carroll’s 31-yard toss to Peter Ranck accounted for the Wildcats’ lone score. Carroll was 3-for-12 for 48 yards in his varsity start. Earl Mosley’s club will visit Midd-West (0-1) this weekend, taking on a Mustangs group that lost 54-0 to Mifflinburg. …

Newport (0-1) will try to recover from its season-opening 43-7 loss at Camp Hill when it pays a visit to West Perry (1-0). Todd Rothermel’s Buffaloes were down 43-0 before Travis Lilly broke off a 39-yard run with seven minutes to play. Lilly carried five times for 49 yards, while senior Aiden Dishman collected 69 yards on 15 carries against the Lions. …

Susquenita (0-1) was victimized by West Perry 35-6, spoiling the Blackhawks’ first outing on their new artificial playing surface. Blaise Swancer’s 14-yard catch of a Derek Gibney pass put Augie Glass’s squad on the board with just over a minute to go. Gibney finished with 176 yards through the air on 21 of 33 passing, but he was picked off three times. …

James Buchanan (1-0) parlayed a late catch-and-run from Jacob Frey that covered 50-plus yards into a 22-20 triumph over York County Tech. John Stoner fired the game-winning touchdown pass, which arrived with less than a minute to play. 

By Eric Epler:

CLASS 6A 

Rank – Team – District – Record — Previous 

1. St. Joseph’s Prep (12)         – 0-1 – 1 

2. Harrisburg (3)                      – 0-0 – 3 

3. Garnet Valley (1)                 – 1-0 – 6 

4. Pittsburgh C.C. (7)               – 0-1 – 2 

5. La Salle College HS (12)       — 1-0 – NR 

6. Emmaus (11)                       — 1-0 – NR 

7. Seneca Valley (7)                 – 1-0 – 8 

8. State College (6)                  – 1-0 – 9 

9. McDowell (10)                    – 1-0 – 10 

10. Parkland (11)                    — 1-0 – NR 

Teams to watch: Bethlehem Freedom (11) 0-1, Central York (3) 1-0, Coatesville (1) 1-0,Downingtown East (1) 1-0, North Penn (1) 0-1. 

CLASS 5A 

Rank – Team – District – Record — Previous  

1. Imhotep Charter (12)          – 1-0 – 1 

2. Penn-Trafford (7)                – 1-0 – 4 

3. Upper Dublin (1)                 – 1-0 – 5 

4. Delaware Valley (2)             – 0-1 – 3 

5. Gateway (7)                        — 1-0 – NR 

6. Cathedral Prep (10)            – 0-1 – 2 

7. Exeter Township (3)            – 1-0 – 7 

8. Penn Hills (7)                       – 0-1 – 6 

9. Roman Catholic (12)           — 1-0 – NR 

10. West Chester Rustin (1)    – 0-0 – Idle                                                      10 

Teams to watch: Cocalico (3) 1-0, East Stroudsburg South (11) 1-0, Shippensburg (3) 1-0, Strath Haven (1) 1-0, Upper St. Clair (7) 1-0. 

CLASS 4A 

Rank – Team – District – Record — Previous  

1. Aliquippa (7)                       – 0-0 – 1 

2. Bishop McDevitt (3)            – 0-1 – 2 

3. Jersey Shore (4)                  – 1-0 – 3 

4. Allentown C.C. (11)             – 1-0 – 5 

5. Central Valley (7)                – 1-0 – 5 

6. Thomas Jefferson (7)          – 0-1 – 4 

7. Meadville (10)                     – 1-0 – 8 

8. McKeesport (7)                   – 1-0 – 9 

9. Manheim Central (3)          — 1-0 – NR 

10. Pope John Paul II (1)         — 1-0 – NR 

Teams to watch: Armstrong (7) 1-0, Bethlehem Catholic (11) 1-0, Bishop Shanahan (1) 0-0, Lampeter-Strasburg (3) 0-1, Selinsgrove (4) 1-0. 

CLASS 3A 

Rank – Team – District – Record — Previous  

1. Belle Vernon (7)                  – 0-0 – 1 

2. Wyomissing (3)                   – 1-0 – 2 

3. Neumann-Goretti (12)        – 0-0 – 3 

4. Danville (4)                          – 1-0 – 4 

5. Central Martinsburg (6)      – 1-0 – 5 

6. Elizabeth Forward (7)         – 1-0 – 6 

7. Hickory (10)                        – 1-0 – 7 

8. Avonworth (7)                     — 1-0 – NR 

9. Loyalsock (4)                       — 1-0 – NR 

10. Northwestern Lehigh (11) — 1-0 – NR 

Teams to watch: Berks Catholic (3) 0-1, Grove City (10) 0-1, Lancaster Catholic (3) 1-0, North Schuylkill (11) 0-1, Oil City (10) 1-0. 

CLASS 2A 

Rank – Team – District – Record — Previous  

1. Southern Columbia (4)        – 1-0 – 1 

2. Farrell (10)                          – 1-0 – 2 

3. Beaver Falls (7)                   – 1-0 – 3 

4. Sto-Rox (7)                          – 0-0 – 4 

5. Mount Carmel (4)               – 1-0 – 5 

6. Richland Township (6)        – 1-0 – 6 

7. Lakeland (2)                        – 1-0 – 8 

8. Bishop Guilfoyle (6)            – 0-1 – 7 

9. Sharpsville (10)                   — 1-0 – NR 

10. Berlin Brothersvalley (5)   — 1-0 – NR 

Teams to watch: Bedford (5) 1-0, Steel Valley (7) 0-0, Washington (7) 1-0, Williams Valley (11) 1-0, York Catholic (3) 0-1. 

CLASS 1A 

Rank – Team – District – Record — Previous  

1. Steelton-Highspire (3)         – 1-0 – 3 

2. Bishop Canevin (7)              – 0-1 – 1 

3. Canton (4)                           – 1-0 – 4 

4. Our Lady of Sacred Heart (7) – 1-0 – 5 

5. Reynolds (10)                      – 1-0 – 6 

2. Old Forge (2)                       – 0-1 – 2 

7. Homer-Center (6)               – 1-0 – 7 

8. Tri-Valley (11)                     – 1-0 – 8 

9. Muncy (4)                            – 1-0 – 9 

10. Redbank Valley (9)            – 1-0 – 10 

Teams to watch: Greensburg C.C. (7) 1-0, Northern Bedford (5) 1-0, Northern Lehigh (11) 1-0, Port Allegany (9) 1-0, Rochester (7) 0-0. 

Vote now for your 4th Down Magazine Schuylkill League Player of the Week. Our poll will remain open until Tuesday evening at 11 p.m. Vote once per hour for your favorite competitor.

Dainn Vassallo, Notre Dame-Green Pond, jr, TE/DE: Vassallo racked up a game-high 17 tackles Friday night against Gold Division foe Saucon Valley in a 41-34 victory. 

Alex Achenbach, Williams Valley, jr, RB/DB: Achenbach generated a minor stir on Twitter Friday night – since his five rushing touchdowns in a 42-30 victory over neighboring Upper Dauphin bested the four scored by Polk High’s fictional Al Bundy in Chicago’s city championship game years earlier. Achenbach’s productive night also featured 35 rushing attempts for a remarkable 305 yards, one two-point conversion, one reception for 12 yards and four tackles on the defensive side of the ball. Not a bad opener for the Vikings’ junior feature back.

Travis Riefenstahl, Saucon Valley, sr., QB/SS/FS:  Riefenstahl kept his team close Friday night, slinging the rock for 200 yards and a game-high four touchdowns on 10-of-17 passing against Notre Dame-Green Pond. 

Damian Tyminski, Pen Argyl, jr., WR/SS: Tyminski hauled in everything his quarterback could throw to him, racking up a whopping 13 receptions for 129 and a score as Pen Argyl topped Wilson Area 22-12 on Saturday.

Matt Martin, Marion Catholic, sr., RB/LB: Marion Catholic offered Schuylkill Haven a heavy dose of Martin runs Friday night in a 21-7 victory. The senior responded, carrying the rock a game-high 27 times for 171 stripes and three touchdowns. 

Cole Gemberling, Tri-Valley, fr, RB/OLB: Jeff Sampson said during a preseason chat that his freshman prodigy was a really good player and the youngster didn’t waste much time Friday night backing his coach’s assessment. Gemberling totaled five tackles in Tri-Valley’s 20-13 victory at Minersville, but he also swiped a pass in his first varsity game. And that pick was one of four takeaways Tri-Valley pocketed before their season-opening win was in the books.

Will Jacobson, Blue Mountain, jr, QB: Blue Mountain received a huge performance from their junior gunslinger Friday night against Jim Thorpe. The Eagles leader under centers competed a tiddy 11-of19 passes for 338 yards and three scores in a 27-26 victory. 

Ezi Hite, Williams Valley, sr, OL/DL: Hite was another of Tim Savage’s Vikings to post a terrific season-opening effort on both sides of the football. Entrenched at defensive tackle, Hite recorded seven tackles – including three behind the line of scrimmage – and one quarterback sack. His efforts on the offense were just as notable, as Hite and his teammates up front created more than enough space so Williams Valley could roll up 400-plus rushing yards in its 42-30 conquest of Upper Dauphin.

Lane Lehman, Pine Grove, jr, RB/DB: While it was hardly a surprise that Lehman piled up offensive touches, he made them all count as the junior rushed 27 times for 216 yards and one score as Pine Grove turned back neighboring Northern Lebanon 14-9. Lehman also caught one pass for six yards as the Cardinals made new head coach Dave Shiffer’s debut a successful one. Pine Grove’s talented junior also factored defensively, totaling seven stops.

Jake Scheib, Tri-Valley, sr, RB/DT: Muscling between the tackles as he typically does, the brawny Scheib rushed 11 times for 65 yards and two scores, the latter arriving midway through the third quarter and proving to be the difference in Tri-Valley’s 20-13 success at Minersville. Scheib also registered six tackles and one quarterback sack for Jeff Sampson’s squad.

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Jakhai Noss, sr., RB/DB, Steel-High: The senior scored in three different ways in an entertaining 21-14 win over Bishop Canevin. Noss recorded an 85-yard pick-6, then added TDs on the ground and on a reception, finishing with more than 100 yards of offense.

Blake Delevan, sr., WR/DB, Boiling Springs: Not a bad season debut for the senior, who scored two of the Bubblers’ first three touchdowns and ignited a 66-18 rout of Littlestown in the season opener. Delevan scored on a 70-yard reception from Liam Fisher, caught another 39-yard TD in the first half and then snagged a 50-yard pick-6 in the third quarter. He finished with two receptions, 109 yards, three total TDs and five tackles.

Erby Weller, sr., WR, Shippensburg: The Greyhounds battled the elements, a school lockdown and Cedar Cliff, ultimately beating it all 28-10. Weller had himself a night, hauling in six passes for 173 yards and a second-quarter touchdown. He was the only one to catch a pass for Ship all night.

Trae Kater, sr., RB/DB, Shippensburg: Kater also got in on the action Friday night, rushing for 96 yards and a 5-yard score on 13 carries. Kater also returned an interception 85 yards to pay dirt. The win exacted revenge for a District 3 playoff loss last year.

Marcus Sweeney, sr., WR/DB, Hershey: The Trojans dropped a 25-14 decision to Mid-Penn returnee Gettysburg to start the season, but Sweeney did his best to keep them in it, hauling in six passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a 4-yard carry and recorded five tackles.

Alex Yost, sr., RB, Altoona: The Mountain Lions got a 2-yard TD plunge from Yost in with 1:02 left to ice Hollidaysburg 19-9. Yost finished with a pair of 2-yard TDs, including the game’s first score in the second quarter, and finished with 21 carries for 165 yards, both game-highs.

Juan Figueroa, so., RB, Palmyra: Thank Figueroa for the Cougars’ first win of the season, a 14-6 triumph over Lebanon. The sophomore scored the Cougars’ only TDs, both in the second half, on an 11-yard reception and 15-yard dash. He finished with 28 carries for 157 yards and two receptions for 14 more stripes.

JD Hunter, sr., RB/DB, Cumberland Valley: It took Hunter’s heroics for the Eagles to put away Manheim Township for good in a 31-27 thriller, one of the best games of the weekend. Hunter returned a punt 78 yards for a third-quarter score that got CV within 27-24, then he hauled in a 70-yard TD pass from Isaac Sines in the fourth quarter to win the game. Hunter ended the night with two grabs for 68 yards and six total tackles.

Drew Branstetter, so., QB, Camp Hill: The Lions routed Newport 43-7 in Branstter’s debut helming their offense. He finished 15 of 22 for 291 yards and three touchdowns, hitting Noah Doi, Kobe Moore and Alex Long (who also had a fumble recovery TD) for scores. Branstetter also punched one in on the ground.

Timmy Bonin, sr., QB, Northern: It was all Polar Bears in a 45-6 win over Red Land. Bonin had himself one of the best nights under center in the Mid-Penn, completing 16 of his 23 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns to three different receivers that covered 23, 37 and 51 yards each.

Keith Oates, jr., QB, East Pennsboro: Oates quarterbacked a 34-14 win over York Suburban, having his hands in multiple facets of the game. He finished 4 of 7 for 119 yards and two touchdowns passing, ran for another 81 yards and a score on 18 carries and finished with four tackles and a pass deflection as one of the few QBs to pull double duty.

Marcus Quaker, jr., QB, West Perry: Marcus Quakers did it all for the Mustangs against Susquenita in Week 1. The junior finished a weather-delayed match up with 138 rushing yards (two touchdowns) and another 151 passing yards. Not too shabby.

Brady Morgan, sr, RB/DB, Upper Dauphin: Morgan erupted in Upper Dauphin’s season-opening bout with backyard opponent Williams Valley, but his productivity wasn’t quite enough as the Trojans tumbled 42-30. Morgan rushed the ball just nine times, but he piled up 160 yards and a pair of scores – including an early 97-yard romp. He also caught the ball three times for 25 yards and a touchdown.

Waylon Ehrenzeller, sr, RB/ILB, Juniata: Ehrenzeller uncorked a strong two-way performance in Juniata’s 20-7 victory over Clearfield – a season-opening victory that began Friday night and carried into Saturday. While Ehrenzeller rushed 13 times for 85 yards and one touchdown, he also recorded seven tackles and one quarterback sack.

Standings after Week 1:

Adam Kulikowski: 24-4

Andy Shay: 23-5

Andy Sandrik: 23-5

Geoff Morrow: 17-11

Friday, Aug. 26

NON-LEAGUE

Steel-High 21, Bishop Canevin 14

Andy Shay: Bishop Canevin 37, Steel-High 35: Great small-school opener for a pair of defending district champs who have high aspirations in 2022. The WPIAL champs from a year ago, like the Rollers, have a core group of young players that are difference makers. Toss-up game.

Geoff Morrow: Bishop Canevin 44, Steel-High 42: A football showcase on opening weekend? On Chambersburg’s fancy field? And I’m no longer a full-time sportswriter? And THIS is one of the premier matchups? I feel robbed. What an outstanding start to the 2022 season.

Andy Sandrik: Steel-High 42, Bishop Canevin 41: Give me the Rollers in a shootout on Chambersburg’s fast turf field. What a game to kick off the weekend.

Adam Kulikowski: Steel-High 45, Bishop Canevin 41: I absolutely love the idea of the Chambersburg Peach Bowl — where this game will be one of six gems on the docket in Week 1 in Franklin County. Give me the Rollers with their potentially dominating big men and the two-time all-state QB. 

Boiling Springs 66, Littlestown 18

Andy Shay: Boiling Springs 21, Littlestown 14: That was quite a two-year run for the Bubblers, capped by an 11-win season a year ago. Boiling Springs lost so much offensive firepower at the skill positions. That takes time to replace. Defense and line play will need to be top notch to get a first win in 2022.

Geoff Morrow: Littlestown 21, Boiling Springs 13: Many years ago when I worked at the Reading Eagle, there was (and still is) a fabulous photographer there named Lauren Little who hailed, of course, from Littlestown. My question? Where the hell is Morrowsburg?

Andy Sandrik: Boiling Springs 28, Littlestown 14: Success breeds success, which is why I think Boiling Springs will come out victorious Friday, despite some graduation losses.

Adam Kulikowski: Boiling Springs 14, Littlestown 6: Bubblers may need to rely a little more on their defense as they break in a new gamut of playmakers on offense, but with four all-stars returning on the defensive side of the ball, coach Brad Zell won’t mind leaning on those gents early on. 

Shippensburg 28, Cedar Cliff 10

Andy Shay: Shippensburg 31, Cedar Cliff 20: This is a Week 1 heavy hitter for sure. The Colts’ defense isn’t quite ready for what the Greyhounds’ offense will bring to the table.

Geoff Morrow: Cedar Cliff 24, Shippensburg 21: For fun, I googled top speeds of a colt (55 mph) and a greyhound (45 mph). To me, a 10 mph difference between animals = a field goal difference between football teams.

Andy Sandrik: Shippensburg 31, Cedar Cliff 21: If you’re wondering whether the Keystone or Colonial is a stronger division, this game could go a long way toward answering that question.

Adam Kulikowski: Shippensburg 35, Cedar Cliff 28: This one should be well worth the price of admission in Greyhound country. Give the nod to the Greyhounds with that stout returning duo of QB Tucker Chamberlin and wideout Erby Weller.

Greencastle-Antrim 28, Big Spring 13

Andy Shay: Big Spring 31, Greencastle-Antrim 14: There will be a question for the Bulldogs at running back after a memorable season a year ago. QB Ethan Eisenberg will help provide some of those answers. The Blue Devils will be better than a year ago.

Geoff Morrow: Big Spring 35, Greencastle-Antrim 21: I’m a wee bit out of the loop (as most might be able to tell by my off-the-wall breakdowns), but this feels like it should be a division game to me. Either way, this is a gorgeous place for football.

Andy Sandrik: Big Spring 14, Greencastle-Antrim 7: I could be wrong, but I see this as a game Big Spring wins with its defense.

Adam Kulikowski: Big Spring 27, Greencastle-Antrim 14: The Blue Devils have shown strides in the right direction, and I think that will continue in ’22. But this Week 1 matchup favors the Bulldogs.

Hamburg 48, Halifax 6

Andy Shay: Hamburg 42, Halifax 7: Coming off a record year, the Hawks’ head coach resigned after only one season. A more wide-open offense, Hamburg ditched the Wing-T and will allow its experienced QB to shine in this one.

Geoff Morrow: Hamburg 40, Halifax 13: This matchup has a very European feel to it. Let’s go with the boys from Deutschland.

Andy Sandrik: Hamburg 35, Halifax 12: Hamburg has lost a fair share of its all-star talent from a year ago but brings back QB Xander Menapace, who could have some big numbers this weekend. 

Adam Kulikowski: Hamburg 43, Halifax 14: A win in Week 1 for Hamburg’s new head coach Matt Hoffert would be quite special for the 2001 grad.

Gettysburg 25, Hershey 14

Andy Shay: Gettysburg 34, Hershey 28: Nice to have the Warriors back in the MPC, and their head coach knows the territory very well. Gettysburg is the favorite, but it won’t be an easy opener.

Geoff Morrow: Gettysburg 26, Hershey 21: Gettysburg trying to decide on conferences is like me trying to figure out which ice cream flavor I want.

Andy Sandrik: Hershey 19, Gettysburg 15: Another fun Keystone-Colonial crossover. Could be a bruise-fest. 

Adam Kulikowski: Gettysburg 27, Hershey 17: Matt Heiser’s return to the Mid-Penn Conference kicks off in fine fashion with a win against the Trojans. 

Altoona 19, Hollidaysburg 9

Andy Shay: Altoona 31, Hollidaysburg 7: With all the attention on the Little League World Series squad from Hollidaysburg, as it should be, the Tigers have quietly been grinding away on finding offensive answers. Too many questions still remain to have success against a more seasoned Altoona group.

Geoff Morrow: Altoona 34, Hollidaysburg 16: One of my volleyball teammates is originally from Altoona, and Mike is a cool dude. It pains me to say it, but my personal rivalry with the Blair County town might be ending. SHEETZ FOR EVERYONE!

Andy Sandrik: Altoona 26, Hollidaysburg 7: The Golden Tigers have graduated more than 1,300 yards of rushing and will be breaking in a new QB. You know ‘Toona wants that rivalry shutout.

Adam Kulikowski: Altoona 28, Hollidaysburg 6: This Week 1 matchup should provide a nice taste of what the full-time role under center will be like for first-year quarterback Sean Bettwy. 

Palmyra 14, Lebanon 6

Andy Shay: Palmyra 34, Lebanon 7: Rebounding from an 0-fer in the win column takes more than one offseason to change course. Cougars have a new head coach for the first time in a couple decades and were a .500 squad a year ago with more known pieces in place.

Geoff Morrow: Palmyra 28, Lebanon 21: If you’ve been around these parts long enough and paid enough attention to the local sports bylines, you’ll recognize the names David Bohr (from Palmyra) and John Tuscano (from Lebanon). I’m not sure who wins if those two battle on the hardwood or in checkers, but the edge goes to Bohr’s hometown in this football game.

Andy Sandrik: Palmyra 25, Lebanon 14: There are going to be a LOT of new faces Friday night at Buck Swank Stadium. Give me the all-new cast of characters for the Cougars in a grind-it-out win over the Cedars.

Adam Kulikowski: Palmyra 20, Lebanon 14: Chris Pavone takes over the reins of a program he once played for — that’s pretty cool! Can he be the spark that’s needed to get the Cougars on track in 2022? 

Penns Valley 41, Line Mountain 13

Andy Shay: Penns Valley 21, Line Mountain 14: With roughly 18 starters back, including 10 on the defensive side of the ball, the Eagles should be better than a two-win squad. Tough opener, though.

Geoff Morrow: Penns Valley 16, Line Mountain 7: If memory serves, the Eagles struggled to find the end zone in 2021. Which, considering this is football, isn’t a strategy for success. Let’s hope they stop zigzagging and just find the straight line to pay dirt this season.

Andy Sandrik: Penns Valley 24, Line Mountain 21: Some defensive talent returns for the Eagles, and they will be put to the test with the Rams’ Jackson-Romig-to-Miles-Brooks connection. The pair hooked up for more than 700 yards and seven TDs last season.

Adam Kulikowski: Penns Valley 17, Line Mountain 7: Scoring points came at a premium for the Eagles last season. Find a little more firepower to support a defense that played well a year ago and returns much of that crew, and the Eagles just might be a tough out. 

Cumberland Valley 31, Manheim Township 27

Andy Shay: Cumberland Valley 20, Manheim Township 14: Very intriguing MPC vs. Lebanon-Lancaster League clash. The Eagles have to play well. A mediocre outing won’t obtain this result against a Blue Streaks team that lacks high-octane pop but is built to grind.

Geoff Morrow: Manheim Township 28, Cumberland Valley 27: The Blue Streaks won the two most recent matchups, which were playoff battles in 2019 and 2017.

Andy Sandrik: Cumberland Valley 21, Manheim Township 17: Chapman Field, now the host site for the PIAA championships, has moved from grass to turf. That benefits the Eagles. It also benefits Streaks QB Hayden Johnson, who threw for 25 TDs last year. I think CV needs to win the turnover battle to survive this game. 

Adam Kulikowski: Cumberland Valley 28, Manheim Township 13: Coach Josh Oswalt is now in his third year at the helm of the Eagles. This is a group of young lads who know his system well and are anxious to return to the postseason after just missing the dance last year.

Carlisle 28, Mechanicsburg 14

Andy Shay: Carlisle 28, Mechanicsburg 14: Could easily be a higher number for the Thundering Herd if they find some Week 1 mojo. Each squad has enough cooking on defense to impact the game.

Geoff Morrow: Carlisle 39, Mechanicsburg 33: The Herd have won seven straight in this series, all but one of those by at least two scores. So it’s the Wildcats who have more to prove here.

Andy Sandrik: Carlisle 42, Mechanicsburg 29: I actually like both of these defenses in the Backyard Brawl, but this series has been full of big plays in recent years.

Adam Kulikowski: Carlisle 35, Mechanicsburg 14: Herd QB Louis Shank and X-factor running back Ezeekai Thomas are both returning for another run through the Commonwealth gauntlet. That’s a powerful one-two punch for the Wildcats to slow.

Mifflin County 14, Central Mountain 7

Andy Shay: Central Mountain 33, Mifflin County 7: This tailspin the Huskies are in seems like one of those cyclones you can’t get away from. Lots of reasons, but consistent losses are the common thread.

Geoff Morrow: Central Mountain 30, Mifflin County 15: Going with the Wildcats. Did you know Central Mountain is the home of Penn State/NFL kicking legend Robbie Gould?

Andy Sandrik: Mifflin County 29, Central Mountain 27: Pop quiz time: Aside from Bishop McDevitt, which Keystone team returns the most all-conference all-stars? That would be the Huskies.

Adam Kulikowski: Central Mountain 28, Mifflin County 14: It’s been tough sledding for the Huskies over the last two-plus years as they look to break a 17-game skid dating to the 2019 circuit. The road hasn’t gotten any easier in 2022. 

Camp Hill 43, Newport 7

Andy Shay: Newport 26, Camp Hill 20: Neither squad had a winning season a year ago and lost some key pieces. The Buffaloes are more solid up front, and the Lions will be a more underclassmen-led squad, so growing pains are expected.

Geoff Morrow: Camp Hill 29, Newport 26: It’s that time of year again! Time for everybody to misspell Siebert Park, home of the Lions!

Andy Sandrik: Camp Hill 24, Newport 17: Camp Hill might struggle to stop the rush from a bigger Newport line, so look for the Lions to quickly get the ball to their tall group of WRs, who should have the advantage on 50-50 balls. 

Adam Kulikowski: Camp Hill 28, Newport 21: What to expect from these two squads is a bit of a mystery to me, but we know the Lions are going to come out firing the rock downfield. And they have some weapons, highlighted by senior Mike Shartle. 

Pine Grove 14, Northern Lebanon 9

Andy Shay: Pine Grove 21, Northern Lebanon 20: This is just a wild guess. Both rosters feature plenty of young players at this level, and one group is going to take a step forward here.

Geoff Morrow: Northern Lebanon 21, Pine Grove 19: NorLeb always makes me think back to that one year we did a “Student Section Showdown” at PennLive, and the Vikings’ students went all-in to pull the upset and win our weird little contest.

Andy Sandrik: Pine Grove 27, Northern Lebanon 21: The Vikings won a close opener last year. The Cardinals have a few returning parts, and I think they return the favor this time around.

Adam Kulikowski: Pine Grove 14, Northern Lebanon 7: New Cardinals head man Dave Shiffer has some pieces to build on a 1-9 2021 campaign. But the chore won’t be easy as Pine Grove transitions to the Red Division — one that features dates with North Schuylkill, Jim Thorpe and Tamaqua. 

CD East 31, Reading 12

Andy Shay: CD East 26, Reading 13: This is a very nice way to get all those greenhorns the Panthers are going to look at for answers a little quality seat time that matters.

Geoff Morrow: CD East 39, Reading 20: I’m not connected enough right now to know this for sure, but what’s happening at East feels foundational to me. Like, this is a program that I expect to win and/or compete with the best almost all the time now.

Andy Sandrik: CD East 24, Reading 12: Both Reading, which went 1-7 last season, and CD East, searching for its identity after losing a star-studded class, have something to prove. Panthers get it done at home. 

Adam Kulikowski: CD East 31, Reading 13: Any team that can retool successfully after losing nine all-conference players gets a tip of the cap and a round of root beer on me. That’s the challenge ahead of the Panthers after the Lance Deane-led team posted a 7-4 mark and playoff berth in 2021. 

Northern York 45, Red Land 6

Andy Shay: Northern York 35, Red Land 14: Patriots lost their head coach to a resignation and starting QB to a transfer. Up front they are solid, but the Polar Bears are looking to make some real noise with 16 seniors and plenty of vets at key spots.

Geoff Morrow: Northern York 33, Red Land 7: I don’t know what to make of my alma mater (RLHS) anymore. But I do know the Polar Bears always seem to have a competitive crew.

Andy Sandrik: Northern York 44, Red Land 22: Patriots want to stay competitive and establish an identity, while the loaded P-Bears simply want to launch their backyard rivals into outer space.

Adam Kulikowski: Northern York 34, Red Land 20: The Polar Bears always seem to have a chip on their shoulder as they fight for respect in the Colonial Division. They have the experience this year to be a force. That starts on night No. 1 against a Patriots squad in full transition. 

Milton Hershey 26, Susquehanna Township 18

Andy Shay: Milton Hershey 27, Susquehanna Township 14: This is closer to a 50-50 game than you might think, but that base offense of the Spartans will feature enough to make the difference. 

Geoff Morrow: Susquehanna Township 22, Milton Hershey 21: I hate homers, ESPECIALLY in the press box, but I admit I’m going full homer here as a taxpayer in the ‘Hanna school district and a scorekeeper for the ‘Hanna hoops team. I just wish they’d finally dump the outdated Indians nickname and pick something new and creative.

Andy Sandrik: Milton Hershey 21, Susquehanna Township 14: Coin flip game? I’m intrigued.

Adam Kulikowski: Milton Hershey 33, Susquehanna Township 13: The Indians continue to rebuild after a winless season. Coach Joe Headen’s crew will find a few dubs along the circuit, but an opening night toast seems out of reach. 

Trinity 35, Delone Catholic 7

Andy Shay: Trinity 28, Delone Catholic 21: A year ago this was a massive upset victory by the Shamrocks. The Squires put together a better overall 2021, though. Trinity has more firepower at the skill positions right now. It’s that simple — maybe!

Geoff Morrow: Trinity 30, Delone Catholic 20: With last year’s triumph and growing expectations around the Shamrocks program, anything less than a victory here would be disappointing for J-Hill and crew.

Andy Sandrik: Trinity 21, Delone Catholic 14: Delone Catholic returns its QB, but other than that, who is going to score points for the Squires? I see this as a low-scoring game, with Trinity holding the offensive advantage.

Adam Kulikowski: Trinity 33, Delone Catholic 27: Deja vu all over again? I’m not sure this would be called an upset again with the returning talent the Shamrocks possess. 

Tri-Valley 20, Minersville 13

Andy Shay: Tri-Valley 32, Minersville 14: This version of the Bulldogs will look very similar to a year ago when T-V won nine games and was ridiculously hard to score against with any consistency. O-line has some questions that need answered, though.

Geoff Morrow: Tri-Valley 21, Minersville 6: Bulldogs do what they do, and they do it very well. My wife has been playing Minecraft lately when we watch some late-evening TV, and that’s about all I know about Miners at this point.

Andy Sandrik: Tri-Valley 28, Minersville 21: Minersville brings back some quality players, including most of its defense. Look for this one to be much closer than last year’s 47-7 blowout by the Bulldogs. 

Adam Kulikowski: Tri-Valley 38, Minersville 14: Defense carried the Bulldogs last year, often holding opponents to single digits. Seven starters return on each side of the ball, offering Jeff Sampson’s crew a rock solid base to build on in 2022.

Spring Grove 46, Waynesboro 14

Andy Shay: Waynesboro 28, Spring Grove 14: Friendly reminder the Indians lost three games last year and two of them were to SG — in the season opener and again in the playoffs. Revenge on the table here? Not sure the Rockets are at the same level as a year ago.

Geoff Morrow: Spring Grove 17, Waynesboro 15: The Rockets found a formula that worked twice last year, so why not again in 2022? Though I imagine the ‘Boro REALLY wants to flip that script.

Andy Sandrik: Waynesboro 35, Spring Grove 28: These teams have had some physical scraps over the past few years and aren’t exactly friends. Look for the Rockets to pull out all the stops in their home opener.

Adam Kulikowski: Waynesboro 34, Spring Grove 13: The Indians will go as far as their dynamic sophomore running back Mikel Holden can carry them. This cat has full control of the backfield after the graduation of Aiden Mencia. He just might run wild Friday. 

State College 42, Williamsport 14

Andy Shay: State College 35, Williamsport 14: All I know is State College is built on a very strong and powerful base up front and has more zip on the edges than you think. They will be a tough out in 2022!

Geoff Morrow: State College 26, Williamsport 16: Little Lions waited until playoff time to really turn up the heat on last year’s season. Guessing it won’t take as long to find a groove in 2022.

Andy Sandrik: State College 24, Williamsport 14: I think this is a good Week 1 test for the Little Lions’ defense. The Millionaires return accurate senior QB George Whaley, who was effective both through the air (732 pass yards, 7 TDs, 3 INTs) and on the ground (5.3 ypc)

Adam Kulikowski: State College 31, Williamsport 14: Whoever emerges as QB1 from a four-horse battle to lead the Little Lions will have a strong supporting cast and some pretty mighty gents up front providing protection. Lions kick off their 2022 circuit on a strong note as they look to re-establish themselves as an upper echelon team. 

Williams Valley 42, Upper Dauphin 30

Andy Shay: Williams Valley 38, Upper Dauphin 14: In case you were wondering, the Vikings are still loaded and could be even more explosive than a year ago. The Trojans have too many questions that need answers, and it starts at quarterback.

Geoff Morrow: Williams Valley 40, Upper Dauphin 21: Just one hell of a consistently impressive small school from up thataway.

Andy Sandrik: Williams Valley 33, Upper Dauphin 10: Williams Valley, with its top QB, RB and WR all back, once again looks ready to do Williams Valley things.

Adam Kulikowski: Williams Valley 32, Upper Dauphin 6: What’s different for the Vikings? By one lad, they are now a 2A squad. What’s not different? Their approach to thumping opponents. All-State feature back Alex Achenbach and backfield mate Logan Williard should provide plenty of firepower to zip past the Trojans. 

Saturday, Aug. 27

NON-LEAGUE

West Perry 35, Susquenita 6

Andy Shay: West Perry 35, Susquenita 20: New coach for the Blackhawks will see what an experienced QB and RB bring to the table for the Mustangs. It will be all about keeping up because West Perry will score points.

Geoff Morrow: West Perry 38, Susquenita 21: I’m calling this one the “Johnny Alphabets Bowl” in honor of the late, great Perry County Times sportswriter John Alvanitakis. RIP, buddy.

Andy Sandrik: West Perry 42, Susquenita 16: Nothing makes me feel younger than seeing names of kids on the WP roster whose parents went to school with me. 

Adam Kulikowski: West Perry 45, Susquenita 26: Calling the Capital Division home after transitioning from the Colonial shouldn’t present too many problems for a Mustangs squad primed with playmakers on offense. 

Central York 36, Central Dauphin 19

Andy Shay: Central York 14, Central Dauphin 10: We all know both squads have big-time quarterbacks who have moved on. Beyond that, I think Central York has a bit more known on its side of the ledger. Rams are starting over.

Geoff Morrow: Central York 17, Central Dauphin 14: I’m impressed that, geographically speaking, both of these schools are more or less actually centrally located within their respective counties. I feel like a lot of directional school names lie. But not these two!

Andy Sandrik: Central Dauphin 13, Central York 7: Both teams introducing a lot of new offensive parts, including QBs, so I see this being a struggle. I think CD’s defense tips the scales for a road win. 

Adam Kulikowski: Central Dauphin 21, Central York 20: It isn’t often you talk to coach Glen McNamee and the word “rebuild” is uttered. But this is one of those years. After missing the postseason in 2021, the Rams are looking to re-establish themselves. They take a nice first step Friday.

Imhotep Charter 19, Bishop McDevitt 14

Andy Shay: Bishop McDevitt 35, Imhotep Charter 21: This should be an interesting matchup. On paper it looks pretty good. The Crusaders’ ability to be balanced offensively will be a true difference maker.

Geoff Morrow: Bishop McDevitt 43, Imhotep Charter 30: This is the Eric Epler game. The longtime Patriot-News/PennLive scribe is a McDevitt grad (and former Crusaders bruiser), and “ImHotEp” should be his vanity license plate.

Andy Sandrik: Bishop McDevitt 42, Imhotep Charter 21: Check off who has the advantage at each position, and it’s almost all Crusaders. Imhotep’s best chance at victory is to beat McDevitt in a shootout, because you know the Crusaders are going to get their points.

Adam Kulikowski: Bishop McDevitt 28, Imhotep Charter 21: The Crusaders have their eyes on a state title run behind QB Stone Saunders and a treasure trove of top talent behind him. This Week 1 test can help set the tone for what that postseason run might take. 

Juniata 20, Clearfield 7

Andy Shay: Juniata 20, Clearfield 14: This will be a tall task for the Indians, and this call might be considered an upset. Juniata is not easy to beat and has 7-8 starters back on each side of the ball. That really matters early.

Geoff Morrow: Clearfield 28, Juniata 20: This pick is for the legend, the one and only Rod Frisco, recently retired from his District 3 duties. I, of course, knew Frisky from our days at The Patriot-News, where he shared all sorts of weird stories from his hometown of Clearfield. I even once named a fantasy football team of mine the “Topless Snuff Stealers” after one particularly bizarre local incident we read about with much immature glee.

Andy Sandrik: Clearfield 21, Juniata 14: Clearfield is coming off an 11-1 season, but the Bison have lost to graduation: more than1,700 yards of passing, 2,100 yards of rushing, and more than 1,500 yards of receiving. I’m still calling Clearfield the favorite, but Big Red might make me regret this pick.

Adam Kulikowski: Juniata 28, Clearfield 27: Juniata proved to be a tough out for just about everyone last year. Expect more of the same in ’22 from Kurt Condo’s crew.

East Pennsboro 34, York Suburban 14

Andy Shay: East Pennsboro 30, York Suburban 19: For the Panthers from the MPC, this year is all about consistency. They have enough talent and experience on both sides of the ball to win games; consistency is key.

Geoff Morrow: East Pennsboro 32, York Suburban 23: East Penn doubled these guys up in last year’s opening week; no reason for me to believe they’ll win again, even in York County.

Andy Sandrik: East Pennsboro 42, York Suburban 38 (2OT): Tricky game to pick. May as well make it fun.

Adam Kulikowski: East Pennsboro 34, York Suburban 20: The Panthers might be a team that sneaks up on folks in the Colonial Division with a large core returning on both sides of the ball. John Denniston’s crew could set the tone with a strong Week 1 performance.

Central Bucks East 38, Chambersburg 21

Andy Shay: Central Bucks East 40, Chambersburg 14: Plenty of vets returning for the Trojans from a year ago, but CB East was a playoff team, and QB Pat Keller returns to drive this offense.

Geoff Morrow: Central Bucks East 37, Chambersburg 20: Welcome, all, to the 2022 high school football season! Here’s the final prediction of Week 1. And good luck to all the 4th Down Magazine game pickers not named Andy or Adam.

Andy Sandrik: Central Bucks East 32, Chambersburg 21: Props to Chambersburg for putting this whole Peach Bowl together. The price of one ticket gets you a whole lot of good football.

Adam Kulikowski: Central Bucks East 27, Chambersburg 21: Last year the Trojans’ young bucks carried a huge load, learning the varsity ropes as they battled through a winless Commonwealth Division slate. Can that experience translate to a better 2022? This is the first big test, but maybe one Mark Luther’s crew isn’t quite ready for. 

Monday, Aug. 29

NON-LEAGUE

York Tech at James Buchanan, 7

Andy Shay: James Buchanan 27, York Tech 14: Combined, these teams won two games a year ago, so somebody is getting off to a good start. Rockets have their starting QB and RB back, and that’s enough to give them the edge.

Geoff Morrow: James Buchanan 17, York Tech 14: It’s not often you can say this about a Jimmy Buck opponent, but the Rockets have dominated this series, winning each of the last five meetings. Spartans last beat JB back in 2004 when “Alien vs. Predator” was raking in movie theater money.

Andy Sandrik: James Buchanan 38, York Tech 26: Give me the Rockets in a high-scoring battle.

Adam Kulikowski: James Buchanan 41, York Tech 24: Finding that feel-good vibe early can do wonders for a team that just hasn’t experienced many dubs in recent years. 

Canceled: Middletown at Lower Dauphin; Harrisburg vs. St. Vincent Pallotti (Md.)

Welcome to the 2022 regular season and a recap of what stood out and grabbed our attention in the opening weekend.

Steel-High doesn’t face many Week 1 tests, and the Rollers passed this one with flying colors. The win was a bonus. Steel-High proved it is a state title contender. The crazy ending where a spike by Bishop Canevin on fourth down ended the game inside the Rollers’ 5-yard line with 10 seconds remaining is about as bizarre as I’ve seen in more than three decades. Holding Canevin to 14 points speaks volumes.

Cumberland Valley on turf looks so wrong, but in 2022 it is also the absolute right move for the Eagles. And a win over Manheim Township in a game where the Blue Streaks racked up more than 400 yards of offense is a bit fortunate. But you take what you earn. And the Eagles earned this one via the big play. J.D. Hunter’s 82-yard punt return for a score and 70-yard TD reception are the kind of difference-making plays that flip a sure loss to a narrow win.

Trinity’s resounding 28-point win over Delone Catholic sends a clear message the Shamrocks have some dudes and will be heard from. A year ago beating the Squires was the high-water mark for a team finding its way. That won’t be the case this season. Freshman RB Messiah Mickens will wreck lesser teams this season. Holding the Squires to seven points is the hidden key for the T-Rocks out of the gate.

So Boiling Springs loses more skill players than most and still throws up a 66-burger on Littlestown. Color me impressed. Still, more info is required on Brad Zell’s new-look squad moving forward. The Bolts might just be that bad. Still, a 66 on your side of the ledger isn’t an accident. 

Scenes from Shippensburg’s 28-10 victory against Cedar Cliff

Delayed gratification: Shippensburg charges to a 28-10 victory against Cedar Cliff

Shippensburg is the team to beat in the Colonial Division – again. Getting a weather-delayed full-metal test from Cedar Cliff never hurts. The Colts are retooling and shot themselves in the foot at times. Can’t beat Ship doing that. The ‘Hounds Trae Kater is a game-changer on both sides of the ball. Only loss for Ship a year ago was to Cedar Cliff in the playoffs. Interesting, huh?

Here’s a shocker for you … Camp Hill has another big-time quarterback. The Lions generally seem to find a better-than-average QB to carry the load. And Drew Branstetter is the latest. His opening act for 2022 against Newport was 291 yards, 15-for-22 passing with three touchdowns through the air and another on the ground. The Lions are comfortable tossing it around.

Carlisle just has too much firepower for Mechanicsburg at this early juncture of the season. Somehow it feels like the Thundering Herd didn’t play their best and the Wildcats made them earn a Week 1 victory. When that happens it feels like both teams made hay out of the gate.

As expected, CD East struggled out of the gate but had enough firepower to eventually subdue a not-so-good Reading squad. The CD Rams are going to have some struggles this year it seems. They were rolled by Central York and surrendered 36 points.

Imhotep Charter provided a tough test for a McDevitt squad with state title aspirations. Imhotep’s defense matched the power and speed of the Crusaders, applying plenty of pressure to McDevitt’s Stone Saunders (21-41 for 280 yards) in a 19-14 loss to the preseason Pennsylvania No. 1 Class 5A team.