Picks and Predictions for Week 8

4thdownmagazine
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Picks and Predictions for Week 8

RECORDS (Week 7 — Overall — Perfect Picks):

Andy Shay: 21-1 — 134-33 — 0

Andy Sandrik: 17-5 — 122-45 — 0

Geoff Morrow: 19-3 — 121-46 — 3

Adam Kulikowski: 19-3 — 116-51 — 1

Andy Shay provides his analysis and predictions for three of the top matchups across our coverage area in Week 8.

Friday’s Games

Big Spring at Trinity, 7

Andy Shay: Big Spring 34, Trinity 21: Couple of squads coming off tough losses to quality teams. “Bounce back” is the theme this week for both. The Bulldogs’ offense has a bit more explosiveness with the deep threat, and that could be the difference maker.

Geoff Morrow: Big Spring 33, Trinity 27: I think this game is huge for the Bulldogs, one of their biggest in years. I say that because last week’s loss to the rival Bubblers undoubtedly stung. The strongest programs have innate ability to harness that frustration and use it to their advantage the next week, while weaker programs sulk and struggle. THIS game — not last week’s — will more accurately define Big Spring and determine its 2021 future.

Andy Sandrik: Trinity 26, Big Spring 21: Nobody else wants to take Trinity at home after the ‘Rocks pushed Steel-High to the limit? OK, I will.

Adam Kulikowski: Big Spring 35, Trinity 33: Bulldogs beware: Trinity has shown that it has the ability to pull off an upset — just ask Delone Catholic. Big Spring missed some opportunities down field last week against Boiling Springs that it had connected on throughout the season. If their vertical passing game gets back on track, it should bode well for the Bulldogs Friday night.

Bishop McDevitt at Milton Hershey, 7

Andy Shay: Bishop McDevitt 56, Milton Hershey 7: Holding teams down defensively has been a trouble spot at times for the Spartans, and this McDevitt offense finds a way to get seven or eight touchdowns a game.

Geoff Morrow: Bishop McDevitt 62, Milton Hershey 7: I hang my head in shame that, last week, I actually predicted McDevitt to lose in a game the Crusaders ended up winning 56-0. I’m not religious, but I’m pretty sure that’s a sin.

Andy Sandrik: Bishop McDevitt 54, Milton Hershey 14: The Crusaders have been averaging 63 points per game since their season-opening shutout loss to La Salle College. I think Milton Hershey holds them below that average, but still, this is an awfully tough assignment for the Spartans.

Adam Kulikowski: Bishop McDevitt 54, Milton Hershey 7: Can anyone test McDevitt before we get into the district playoffs? Just asking for a friend.

Carlisle at State College, 7

Andy Shay: Carlisle 28, State College 24: Couple of 4-3 squads looking to avoid falling to .500. Good matchup on fairly equal terms. Thundering Herd have been close to winning one of these get-over-the-hump games with a couple of losses by a field goal. Taking Carlisle to get that win.

Geoff Morrow: State College 26, Carlisle 21: Arguably the most intriguing game on the schedule. Inarguably, the outcome matters a whole lot more to the Herd because they’re currently outside the playoff bubble in the latest District 3 power rankings. But, as I’ve written before, Carlisle just doesn’t have a track record of winning games against upper-tier Commonwealth foes. Until they do, it’s tough to pick the Herd, especially on the road. Playing teams tight is one thing; the next step is actually winning those games. 

Andy Sandrik: State College 28, Carlisle 21: We keep waiting for Carlisle, an obviously talented team, to get that signature win. The Herd almost got it done against CD. They almost came back against CV. And something tells me they almost get a road win against the Little Lions.

Adam Kulikowski: State College 33, Carlisle 27: The status of Little Lions QB Finn Furmanek makes a difference in this one. Give the Herd the edge if State College’s QB1 is a no go again. But, right now, I’ll go with the team with a history of success against stiff competition.

Central Dauphin at Altoona, 7

Andy Shay: Central Dauphin 31, Altoona 14: That was a clutch win by the Rams against a Carlisle team that showed up to win, not just play well. Altoona’s offense and that ground game fit right into the CD defense’s wheelhouse.

Geoff Morrow: Central Dauphin 34, Altoona 19: A nice feel-good win on the road for the Mountain Lions last week to snap a three-game skid, while CD survived a fight from Carlisle. But I noticed on Twitter the Rams are irked about not being ranked in the state, so maybe they’ll play angry and win decisively.

Andy Sandrik: Central Dauphin 33, Altoona 17: The Commonwealth seems a lot more balanced than in recent years, so much so that Altoona, near the bottom of the standings, has at least a puncher’s chance against the contending Rams.

Adam Kulikowski: Central Dauphin 45, Altoona 7: Mountain Lions have struggled to move the ball through the air while the Rams have to be riding high after that game-winning field goal last week against Carlisle. Rams check all the boxes here to find themselves on the winning side of the ledger.

Chambersburg at CD East, 7

Andy Shay: CD East 28, Chambersburg 14: How do the Panthers respond to a big loss at Harrisburg? When they lost in Week 1, they had an impressive response. Expect more of the same here.

Geoff Morrow: CD East 38, Chambersburg 13: You have to take every Commonwealth foe seriously or you’ll get smacked. But let’s just say this is good timing for the Panthers after last week’s tough loss at Harrisburg. It’s my opinion that it’s better for everybody involved (teams, but mostly fans) that CD vs. East is NEXT weekend and not this weekend.

Andy Sandrik: CD East 28, Chambersburg 0: This seems like a good spot for an angry CD East squad to pitch its first shutout of the season.

Adam Kulikowski: CD East 35, Chambersburg 14: The Commonwealth Division can be a meat grinder — just ask the Trojans who, after opening the season winning two out of three, have dropped their first four division battles.

Executive Education Academy at Upper Dauphin, 7

Andy Shay: Upper Dauphin 28, Executive Education Academy 14: Trojans offense will provide EEA a bit more of a test that it has faced the last couple weeks with those back-to-back shutouts. Raptors’ offense won’t be able to keep pace. 

Geoff Morrow: Upper Dauphin 22, Executive Education Academy 14: Trojans have ably handled all comers since a Week 2 loss vs. Juniata. This late-addition opponent won’t be a pushover, but I expect UDA to survive. 

Andy Sandrik: Upper Dauphin 14, Executive Education Academy 7: Smart money seems to be on the Trojans here, but don’t sleep on that Raptors defense, which has pitched back to back shutouts.

Adam Kulikowski: Upper Dauphin 28, Executive Education Academy 14: After losing its game against Halifax, Upper Dauphin quickly picked up the Allentown charter school to fill the void in its schedule. It’s EEA’s second straight week facing off against a Mid-Penn Liberty opponent, but this one provides a much bigger test than the boys from Herndon could muster.  

Greencastle-Antrim at Northern York, 7

Andy Shay: Northern York 27, Greencastle-Antrim 21: Blue Devils have come close a few times to scoring big wins and have found ways to take the L instead of the W. That’s a big hurdle to clear. Polar Bears are coming off a loss to Ship and will be in rebound mode.

Geoff Morrow: Northern York 28, Greencastle-Antrim 21: It’s a good week for the Polar Bears to claw up the competition, and I say that because former Northern standout and current assistant coach Kyle Goss hand-delivered new business cards to my office in the Capitol this week. That’s good karma, folks!

Andy Sandrik: Northern York 33, Greencastle-Antrim 10: If Ship only managed 21 points against the Polar Bears, who am I to predict the Blue Devils putting up more than 10? Northern bounces back this week.

Adam Kulikowski: Northern York 35, Greencastle-Antrim 27: Battling the Blue Devils is like playing Russian roulette. Someone is going to get stung by this team. It’s just a matter of who because they are knocking on the door each week.

Harrisburg at Cumberland Valley, 7

Andy Shay: Harrisburg 27, Cumberland Valley 16: Eagles will make this game sticky in spots for the Cougars. Harrisburg is patient, doesn’t panic and sticks to its guns no matter what is happening. There’s a lot to be said for that kind of confidence. The results speak for themselves.

Geoff Morrow: Harrisburg 32, Cumberland Valley 17: With Harrisburg and CD still on their schedule, the Eagles really, REALLY needed to beat State College last week to have a good chance at the playoffs. It’s not impossible, but the path to the postseason is packed with poisonous snakes and spiders now. Cougars, meanwhile, are confidently rounding into playoff form.

Andy Sandrik: Harrisburg 23, Cumberland Valley 19: I’m done playing the pick-against-Harrisburg game. Love what the Eagles are doing, but the Cougars sure seem like a squad that can complete its run on the Commonwealth.

Adam Kulikowski: Cumberland Valley 28, Harrisburg 27: The Eagles nearly toppled State College last week. Can they parlay that effort into a win against the Cougars? It’s a tall feat against a physical club, but it’s one Cumberland Valley could be ready for.

Hershey at Mifflin County, 7

Andy Shay: Hershey 14, Mifflin County 7: Trojans find a way to erase that zero under the win column. It will be a struggle and might be something crazy. Hershey’s defense will be a difference maker.

Geoff Morrow: Mifflin County 20, Hershey 14: No fibbing, but I think after Carlisle vs. State College, this is the most intriguing game of the week. Look, sometimes programs have bad seasons. Sometimes they have bad decades. These two are a combined 0-14 this year, but each has made waves at times. The Huskies’ best game came two weeks earlier when they nearly knocked off Milton Hershey; at home, I’m banking MiffCo can put another big effort together and secure that first W.

Andy Sandrik: Hershey 24, Mifflin County 14: The Trojans have been struggling to put up points, just like MiffCo, but their defense seems a couple notches better than that of the Huskies.

Adam Kulikowski: Hershey 21, Mifflin County 7: Both of these clubs have struggled to find their footing in this campaign, but the Trojans seem to have more pieces in place to get into the win column.

James Buchanan at Susquenita, 7

Andy Shay: Susquenita 40, James Buchanan 19: Been a rough October for the Blackhawks, who are riding a three-game slide. I think they pick up the pieces in this one and get a little confidence back with a W.

Geoff Morrow: Susquenita 49, James Buchanan 8: With blowout losses against top-tier Big Spring, Boiling Springs and Upper Dauphin over its last three games, ‘Nita welcomes the opportunity to exact some level of misplaced revenge.

Andy Sandrik: Susquenita 38, James Buchanan 12: The ‘Hawks are on a three-game losing streak, but a win here puts ‘Nita at .500 and back in the thick of things in the Liberty.

Adam Kulikowski: Susquenita 45, James Buchanan 7: This is just what the ‘Hawks need to get their season back on track.

Line Mountain at North Penn-Mansfield, 7

Andy Shay: North Penn-Mansfield 28, Line Mountain 7: The Panthers have shown more pop on offense by scoring 28 or more in their three victories. The Eagles have scored only 35 points in six games.

Geoff Morrow: North Penn-Mansfield 26, Line Mountain 6: When you can’t trust a team to score points, it’s tough to pick them to win ball games. Eagles, unfortunately, have desperately struggled to find paydirt this year.

Andy Sandrik: North Penn-Mansfield 28, Line Mountain 7: Three games remain for the Eagles to nail down that first win. Panthers will be a tough out, though, especially if Line Mountain struggles to put up points.

Adam Kulikowski: North Penn-Mansfield 25, Line Mountain 7: Points will be at a premium when these two clubs square off Friday night. Give an edge to the Panthers, who will sport the best weapon on the field in Kohen Lehman, a junior running back with over 500 yards on the ground.

Middletown at Boiling Springs, 7

Andy Shay: Boiling Springs 31, Middletown 13: The Blue Raiders don’t offer much variety on offense, and the Bubblers’ defensive front and linebackers are rock solid against the run. There’s a lean factor from the Boiling Springs offense that will be in play as well. It hogs the rock.

Geoff Morrow: Boiling Springs 23, Middletown 16: Bubblers are deservedly heavy favorites to claim their first victory over the Blue Raiders since 2014, but take note of what the Middletown defense has done lately. I doubt this will be as easy as my mates predict it to be.

Andy Sandrik: Boiling Springs 38, Middletown 14: Playing at Bubbletown has been like taking a one-way ticket to blowout city. At home, Boiling Springs is 3-0 and outscoring opponents 147-15.

Adam Kulikowski: Boiling Springs 45, Middletown 17: The Bubblers haven’t scored fewer than 35 points all season. Combine that with a defense that has plenty of chops to shut down the run, and you have a Mt. Everest-like climb for the Blue Raiders.

Newport at Juniata, 7

Andy Shay: Juniata 28, Newport 7: The Indians have surrendered only two touchdowns over the last 12 quarters, including a shutout. Can you say “winning with defense?” That doesn’t change here.

Geoff Morrow: Juniata 30, Newport 6: While the Buffaloes have won four of the last five in this series, this year is playing out much differently than previous seasons. I fully expect Juniata to be 8-2 and entering the playoffs on a six-game winning streak come November.

Andy Sandrik: Juniata 22, Newport 0: Every time I drive to work near Mechanicsburg, I see the Juniata College billboard teaching passers-by how to pronounce JOO-NEE-AT-UH. Didn’t realize it was that hard to say, but I digress. Indians’ defense throws down a shutout this week.

Adam Kulikowski: Juniata 35, Newport 14: Juniata’s defense has carried this team for weeks, but the offense — post Jacob Condo — has quietly started to find its groove (see 400+ yards of firepower last week against Midd-West).

Palmyra at Cedar Cliff, 7

Andy Shay: Cedar Cliff 31, Palmyra 20: There’s a McDevitt PTSD the Colts have to deal with in order to move forward. Leave last week in the past and focus on the task at hand. Otherwise these Cougars will gladly take over the game. Counting on the Cliff defense to bounce back and show some grit here. It will be required.

Geoff Morrow: Cedar Cliff 33, Palmyra 26: Cougars have rattled off three in a row against sub-.500 competition, so this would be heavier than a feather in a cap for the visitors. Having picked the Colts to actually beat McDevitt last week, I’m stunned at how quickly and decisively they were routed, and that concerns me moving forward. But Cliff is a virtual lock to make the playoffs, and now’s the time to start getting things right. But this one should be a battle.

Andy Sandrik: Palmyra 48, Cedar Cliff 39: I’ll probably regret this pick, but I love this hot streak the Cougars are on. 

Adam Kulikowski: Cedar Cliff 35, Palmyra 26: The Cougars have shown plenty of positive signs during this three-game winning streak. But knocking off a Cedar Cliff team that is sure to respond well after taking a licking against Bishop McDevitt would take their season to another level. Just not sure Chris Pope’s crew is ready to take that step.

Panther Valley at Tri-Valley, 7

Andy Shay: Tri-Valley 42, Panther Valley 7: The Panthers are winless and have scored only 41 points. The T-V defense surrenders only 10 points a game and has scored 215 points in six outings. All Bulldogs in this one.

Geoff Morrow: Tri-Valley 43, Panther Valley 0: It wasn’t close last year, and it won’t be close this year. Only family, cheerleaders and band should watch.

Andy Sandrik: Tri-Valley 39, Panther Valley 14: Oh hey, it’s time for me to go on my once-a-year rant on how the Panther Valley Panthers have the most lazily named mascot in the state of Pennsylvania.

Adam Kulikowski: Tri-Valley 35, Panther Valley 7: Bulldogs should have no trouble handling the winless Panthers, especially with a defense that has yielded just 60 points all season. 

Pine Grove at Catasauqua, 7

Andy Shay: Catasauqua 30, Pine Grove 7: The Rough Riders have a couple of quality wins in tight, low-scoring affairs and are tested. PG is struggling with only one win.

Geoff Morrow: Catasauqua 37, Pine Grove 14: Writing about the Rough Riders reminds me of a 1990s standup routine from comedian John Caponera in which he amusingly pointed out that, at the time, the Canadian Football League was home to TWO teams with the same nickname: the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the now-defunct Ottawa Rough Riders.

Andy Sandrik: Catasauqua 28, Pine Grove 6: Catasauqua lost two of its last three, but this seems like a good spot for the Rough Riders to regain traction.

Adam Kulikowski: Catasauqua 45, Pine Grove 7: The Rough Riders enter this fray with an effective two-quarterback system which has produced nearly 1,000 passing yards and plenty of effective ball carriers to make this a tough nut to crack for the Cardinals.

Red Land at Lower Dauphin, 7

Andy Shay: Red Land 28, Lower Dauphin 24: Nobody has run away from the Patriots all season, and they could easily have one or two more wins. Will require a full 48 minutes against the Falcons, which has been a problem for Red Land. This game could go either way. Confidence favors the Falcons.

Geoff Morrow: Red Land 23, Lower Dauphin 20: I was leaning toward LD when I sat down, but closer inspection now has me believing that, despite an unimpressive record coupled with LD’s feel-good rebuild, the Patriots have been slightly more dangerous throughout most of the season. Coming off last week’s blowout victory of Mifflin County, I expect a confident RL squad can — and will — post a narrow road win.

Andy Sandrik: Lower Dauphin 23, Red Land 21: This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Lower Dauphin, but the Falcons aren’t all that far from knocking on the door to the district tournament. 

Adam Kulikowski: Red Land 34, Lower Dauphin 28: Can the Patriots find a way to seal the deal in the fourth quarter? Frank Gay’s crew let several wins slip away late over the last few weeks. Week 8 is as good a time as any to break that habit. 

Shenandoah Valley at Williams Valley, 7

Andy Shay: Williams Valley 38, Shenandoah Valley 13: With each passing week, the Vikings take another step forward. This is a squad that has grown into its 6-1 record, and that makes it very dangerous.

Geoff Morrow: Williams Valley 39, Shenandoah Valley 7: This is all just window dressing until we get to WV vs. Tri-Valley in Week 9. 

Andy Sandrik: Williams Valley 42, Shenandoah Valley 14: We were wondering about the legitimacy of the Vikings earlier this season. Then we turn around for two seconds, and WV is suddenly 6-1 and getting it done with a balanced offense. Make it 7-1 for the Vikings.

Adam Kulikowski: Williams Valley, Shenandoah Valley 10: The Vikings seem to be playing their best ball of the season right as we enter the home stretch of the regular season. Just how you draw it up, right?

Steel-High at Camp Hill, 7

Andy Shay: Steel-High 49, Camp Hill 7: Rollers were given a full scare by Trinity, but, in the end, the result was the same. Lions just don’t have the horses to run with this group, and that will be evident.

Geoff Morrow: Steel-High 49, Camp Hill 13: There’s a false sense that this is a rivalry that has provided a bunch of entertaining games in recent years. But I just checked, and only one of the last 14 meetings has been played within single digits. When one team is good, the other isn’t. And right now the Rollers are pretty darn good.

Andy Sandrik: Steel-High 55, Camp Hill 0: Man, I’ve still got goosebumps from the Rollers’ win over Trinity last week. I think Steel-High builds from that and comes out sharp this week.

Adam Kulikowski: Steel-High 56, Camp Hill 14: Anyone think the boys from Cottage Hill were a little upset after nearly dropping one to Trinity last week? My guess is yes. But don’t expect another matchup up for grabs in the fourth quarter when the Rollers kick off against Camp Hill Friday evening.

Susquehanna Twp. at Mechanicsburg, 7

Andy Shay: Mechanicsburg 42, Susquehanna Twp. 7: The struggles for ‘Hanna continue as this Wildcats team will run the ball and control the clock most of the way. Mechanicsburg wins the games it should.

Geoff Morrow: Mechanicsburg 35, Susquehanna Twp. 14: Despite its up-and-down season, Mechanicsburg is in playoff position with two tougher games coming up. So this is a must-have against a dangerous but winless bunch. Just take care of business, as simple as that sounds.

Andy Sandrik: Mechanicsburg 44, Susquehanna Twp. 14: The Wildcats haven’t had an opportunity to breathe easy all season. If they punch in and do their job here, there could be a running clock by the second half.

Adam Kulikowski: Mechanicsburg 37, Susquehanna Twp. 14: Yes, the Indians have taken their lumps this season. But it’s important to remember that Joe Headen’s crew is largely freshmen and sophomores, which should pay dividends next year. But until then…

Waynesboro at East Pennsboro, 7

Andy Shay: Waynesboro 35, East Pennsboro 13: Something went sideways for this Panthers team, and they can’t get the train back on the tracks. Waynesboro is not a squad against whom you fix what’s broken.

Geoff Morrow: Waynesboro 33, East Pennsboro 14: One team has been consistently tough throughout the season; the other has produced more wild swings than an amusement park. That it’s a home game means the Panthers have a fighter’s chance, but not enough for me to pick them.

Andy Sandrik: Waynesboro 44, East Pennsboro 12: Was anyone else surprised to see EP fall behind 38-0 to West Perry last week? Panthers need to get back to the drawing board, and fast, because Waynesboro can absolutely do the same thing this week.

Adam Kulikowski: Waynesboro 37, East Pennsboro 14: Never quite seem to know what Panthers squad is going to show up each Friday night. That’s not the case with the Indians at all. We know exactly what Aiden Mencia and his punch-you-in-the-mouth crew bring to the table each week.

West Perry at Shippensburg, 7

Andy Shay: Shippensburg 42, West Perry 14: The Greyhounds just frustrate teams like crazy with their offensive balance and that lockdown defense. West Perry has evolved into a better-than-anticipated squad, but this is next-level stuff.

Geoff Morrow: Shippensburg 30, West Perry 14: Much credit to the Greyhounds, who’ve handled every challenge this season with aplomb. This will be a fun outfit to watch come playoff time. So, too, will the Mustangs. But this is a tough spot for them.

Andy Sandrik: Shippensburg 44, West Perry 21: There’s absolutely no pressure on the Mustangs here against the state-ranked ‘Hounds. Look for WP to pull out all the stops to put points on the board.

Adam Kulikowski: Shippensburg 35, West Perry 21: Mustangs are next in line to try to stop the Tucker Chamberlin-to-Erby Weller connection. That’s one tall task.

POSTPONED: None.CANCELED: Upper Dauphin at Halifax.

Schuylkill League News and Notes

Michael Bullock
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Schuylkill League News and Notes

1. Tri-Valley pulls away to important result

Holding a 21-17 lead when the first half came to a close, Tri-Valley’s narrow advantage didn’t last long once the ball went up in the air some time later as Kam Wetzel returned the second-half kickoff to the house for the second week in a row.

That electric score suddenly had Jeff Sampson’s Bulldogs (5-1, 2-0) leading Nativity by double digits, with a 42-17 victory the eventual outcome. Wetzel added 89 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Jake Scheib hammered for 107 more on just 12 carries. Scheib also ignited the Tri-Valley defense, racking up a team-high eight stops and recovering one fumble as the Bulldogs maintained their advantage in the District 11 Class 1A power rankings and atop the Colonial-Schuylkill Blue standings. Up next for Sampson’s Bulldogs is an encounter with visiting Panther Valley (0-5, 0-3), which last weekend fell 44-14 to Williams Valley.

2. Williams Valley continues to roll

Building an imposing lead by the end of the third quarter, Williams Valley parlayed its considerable cushion into a 35-7 triumph at Marian Catholic. Quarterback Isaac Whiteash targeted 11 of his 15 pass attempts for 195 yards and two touchdowns, both to rangy wideout Brady Evans (5-121). Feature back Alex Achenbach had a pedestrian outing by his typical standings, motoring 16 times for 121 yards and two scores.

He also caught three passes for 44 yards, just one weekend after wheeling for 334 yards and four touchdowns in the Vikings’ rout of Panther Valley. Tim Savage’s bunch allowed 100-plus yards to Matt Martin but limited the winless Colts to 171 total yards. Inside linebacker Jackson Yoder paced the Vikes (6-1, 2-0) with 10 stops, including one of Williams Valley’s five tackles for losses. Assuming the Vikes escape Shenandoah Valley (2-4, 2-1) this weekend in Colonial-Schuylkill Blue play, they’ll meet Nativity and Tri-Valley in their final two regular-season scraps.

3. Pine Grove hoping to halt three-game slide

Playing for the second straight week against programs with Canadian Football League mascots ­— last weekend it was the Palmerton Blue Bombers while this week it’s the Catasauqua Rough Riders — Pine Grove (1-6, 0-3) hopes to bring an end to its lengthy skid when it visits the Lehigh Valley for a Colonial-Schuylkill White clash. Unable to sustain a running game last weekend in their 51-7 setback to Palmerton, Frank Gaffney’s Cardinals were able to move the ball somewhat through the air as freshman quarterback Carson Lengle completed 16 of his 30 pass attempts for 201 yards and one score. He was picked off twice.

While Lengle hooked up with QB-turned-target Mason Kroh (3 receptions, 53 yards) for his lone score, he was able to find Nick Wolff eight times for 55 yards. Wolff also paced the Cards with 16 tackles. Catty tumbled to Minersville last weekend, falling 43-27 despite getting 79 rushing yards and one TD apiece from Elijah Soler and QB Christian Fye. Minersville’s John Adams went off, throwing for 384 yards and five touchdowns, three to Jason Cullen (5-189).

Mid-Penn Conference News and Notes: Liberty Division

Michael Bullock
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Mid-Penn Conference News and Notes: Liberty Division

Each week during the 2021 season we’ll offer some news, notes, tidbits and opinions from each of the five divisions in the Mid-Penn Conference.

Juniata starting to perk up offensively

For those who might have thought Juniata was relying almost entirely on its defensive unit to turn back opposing football teams, Kurt Condo’s Indians (5-2, 3-0) seem to be figuring out a few things when they have the rock in their collective hands.

Just last weekend, at home and with the engines roaring at nearby Port Royal Speedway, Juniata piled up more than 400 yards of offense and had six players locate the end zone en route to a decisive 44-0 conquest of Midd-West.

While Condo’s Indians rushed for 297 yards — only battering ram fullback Seth Laub (4 carries, 115 yards, a TD) cracked the 100-yard barrier — quarterbacks Aaron Kanagy and Wyatt Ehrenzeller combined to throw for 110 yards and a pair of scores. And while Newport (2-5, 2-1) will visit The Kling this weekend following a 41-7 drilling of James Buchanan that featured 247 rushing yards and two scores from Aiden Dishman, the stingy Juniata defense figures to make things really tough on Todd Rothermel’s Buffaloes.

Against Midd-West, Juniata yielded 45 total yards to the struggling Mustangs (minus-65 on the ground) and chased beleaguered quarterback C.J. Regester relentlessly. Middle linebacker Waylon Ehrenzeller may not be a household name in Mid-Penn Liberty homes, but the undersized junior always seems to find the football. He paced the Indians with nine tackles last weekend, including several QB sacks. Sitting on a three-game winning streak, Juniata can move one sizable step forward toward a Liberty crown by pocketing a victory over Newport.

Upper Dauphin still wheeling and dealing

Just when opposing defenses were beginning to concentrate on slowing down Upper Dauphin’s dependable stable of running backs — Brady Morgan, Christian Snyder and Alex Hepler — quarterback Wil Laskowski stepped squarely into the spotlight in the Trojans’ 40-8 triumph over Susquenita (3-3, 2-1). Laskowski ran seven times for 95 yards and completed just one of his three pass attempts for 29 yards, but the first-year senior accounted for three touchdowns … and all of them came in the first quarter. After running for scores covering 50 and 15 yards, Laskowski located tight end Aiden Wiest for a 29-yard touchdown with one second remaining in the opening stanza.

That pushed the Trojans (5-1, 3-1) to a 20-0 advantage. Up next for UDA, which has won four in a row since falling to Juniata in Week 2, is a Halifax club (1-5, 1-2) trying to deal with numbers issues that will pull into Elizabethville. While the Wildcats conceded a 38-7 loss to Juniata at halftime two weeks back due to injuries — including one that sidelined sophomore quarterback Carter Enders, Earl Mosley’s club opted out of last weekend’s dust-up with Line Mountain.

This and that

Susquenita will keep its dimming hopes for an outright or share of the Mid-Penn Liberty crown when the Blackhawks entertain James Buchanan (1-5, 1-2).  The big question in Cove is who will be at quarterback when the game begins — Derek Gibney, Laiken Miller or Mason Figard. Gibney (concussion) sat out last weekend’s game against Upper Dauphin, causing first-year skipper Augie Glass to move Figard to QB. Since Figard was ineffective (0-for-2), Miller moved behind center and targeted eight of his 31 pass attempts for 96 yards.

He was picked off once. JB, which has dropped four straight, managed just 105 total yards in its loss to Newport. … After making a lengthy jaunt to Allentown’s Muhlenberg College to play pass-happy Executive Education, winless Line Mountain (0-6) will pay a visit to Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier for a non-league scrap with North Penn-Mansfield (3-4). The Eagles banked 173 of their 181 total yards before the break — the game was scoreless at the time — but ExecEd’s Darmel Lopez threw four second-half touchdown passes and wound up with 371 passing yards before the game was over. NPM also is coming off a loss, having dropped a 44-14 decision to Athens. 

Mid-Penn Conference News and Notes: Colonial Division

Andy Shay
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Mid-Penn Conference News and Notes: Colonial Division

Each week during the 2021 season we’ll offer some news, notes, tidbits and opinions from each of the five divisions in the Mid-Penn Conference.

Shippensburg leaving little doubt

Three straight weeks Shippensburg has taken on would-be contenders in the Colonial and knocked them down with relative ease. First it was Waynesboro. Who thought they were contenders to start? The Hounds’ made their answer known with a 19-point win.

Then it was Mechanicsburg and a solid defense backed up by a running attack. Again, no dice. A 20-point Ship victory and only one touchdown for the Wildcats. Last week it was Northern. Maybe the Polar Bears could turn the apple cart upside down. Yeah, that was not even close, either. An 18-point win by Shippensburg where the defense limited Northern to a field goal. Good luck this week, West Perry.

Bears, Devils meet with playoff stakes

Right now five of the eight teams in the (Crazy) Colonial have the look of being playoff teams. I see a scenario where up to six teams could make it but the right number is five. The depth of this division makes for great, high-stakes matchups down the stretch. This week is the Northern vs. Greencastle-Antrim tilt. The Blue Devils are already in win-or-go-home mode. The Polar Bears don’t want to be on that postseason bubble. A win here gives them a wee bit more breathing room.

Mid-Penn Conference News and Notes: Capital Division

Andy Shay
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Mid-Penn Conference News and Notes: Capital Division

Each week during the 2021 season we’ll offer some news, notes, tidbits and opinions from each of the five divisions in the Mid-Penn Conference.

There’s a darkhorse contender

This division is all about two teams, right? Not so fast, I say. Steel-High and Boiling Springs are the front runners, and their game on the final Saturday of the regular season on Cottage Hill could be for all the marbles. Don’t overlook Big Spring. The Rollers have to travel to Newville and Bulldogs Stadium the week prior, and that’s not going to be an easy one by any stretch of the imagination. Something tells me the Bulldogs have a say in how all this shakes out.

I saw enough out of Boiling Springs last Friday against Big Spring to know the Bubblers have more gas in the tank than they showed offensively, and they are loaded to slow the game down and make you play at their pace. And I still have no clue what’s going to happen. Trinity laid down some film on the Rollers the Bulldogs and Bubblers will want to learn from.

Speaking of the Bulldogs and ‘Rocks

The most intriguing game on the Mid-Penn Conference Week 8 slate is Trinity vs. Big Spring at COBO Field. Both teams are coming off losses and expended a lot of gas in the tank in those setbacks. The T-Rocks pushed Steelton to the brink, and the Bulldogs were in a physical slugfest with Boiling Springs. On several fronts this is a must-win for both teams looking forward. I expect some points to be scored, too. I say it takes more than 32 to win this one.

Mid-Penn Conference News and Notes: Keystone Division

Andy Shay
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Mid-Penn Conference News and Notes: Keystone Division

Each week during the 2021 season we’ll offer some news, notes, tidbits and opinions from each of the five divisions in the Mid-Penn Conference.

McDevitt’s math eye popping

Time for some crazy McDevitt numbers update. Keep in mind the Crusaders are blowing out so many teams, most of these players have not participated much if any in the fourth quarter and maybe even the third quarter, too. Freshman QB Stone Saunders is completing 67% of his passes with 22 touchdowns and zero interceptions. The other numbers for him are just window dressing. The two running backs, Marquese Williams and Cyncir Bowers, are averaging an identical 14.6 yards per carry, and all three wideouts with double-digit catches are averaging 17.8 yards per reception or better. All three teams remaining on McDevitt’s regular-season schedule are currently below .500.

Confidence matters

Why do I think Palmyra-Cedar Cliff is going to be an interesting game? Confidence matters, is what I say, and the Cougars have it. Cliff is the better team, but mojo is hard to stop. Why do I think Hershey gets a win and beats Mifflin County? And why do I think Red Land is going to take care of Lower Dauphin and prove they are better than its record?

Mid-Penn Conference News and Notes: Commonwealth Division

Andy Shay
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Mid-Penn Conference News and Notes: Commonwealth Division

Each week during the 2021 season we’ll offer some news, notes, tidbits and opinions from each of the five divisions in the Mid-Penn Conference.

Numbers not harming Cougars

Depth and numbers are important, but this Harrisburg team is proving that sometimes they don’t matter one single bit. The Cougars’ roster numbers are down this year. That’s no secret. It was still alarming to see less than 35 in uniform for the game Saturday at CD East. Faced with one of the tougher road schedules in the state, Harrisburg has navigated itself to a 6-1 mark with a cast of characters that has just enough talent, grit and heart to be a legitimate District 3 Class 6A playoff contender. As long as this squad stays away from the you-know-what bug, how many guys they have on the sideline doesn’t really matter because those on the field are getting it done.

Herd in playoff mode now

Biggest game on the slate this week involves Carlisle. The Thundering Herd have a road trip to State College to play the Little Lions. I think Carlisle is a playoff team this season. But this is a must-have game to set the table. Right now the Herd are 4-3, and in Class 6A my gorilla math tells me 6-4 will slide under the wire and make the cut. Altoona at home and a trip to the Speedway to tangle with CD East is still on deck. Lose this game and those become must-have wins. Monster game for the Herd.

How Former Mid-Penn Players did in college last week: Forrest Rhyne turns in a career performance; Andre White a key piece in Texas A&M’s upset of Alabama and more

4thdownmagazine
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Five-star performance

It doesn’t get much better for a linebacker than what Forrest Rhyne pulled off Saturday.

The former Waynesboro stud had a career performance, recording a mammoth 20 tackles (three solo) to lead Villanova in a thrilling 28-27 victory over James Madison. 

The total nearly doubled the number of tackles he had across the previous four games of the season — he came off an 11-tackle performance in last week’s loss to Penn State with 24 takedowns entering Saturday. 

The fifth-year graduate student could challenge his career-high for tackles with the Wildcats; he tallied 116 (57 solo) in 2019 and 14.5 tackles for loss.

Another Mid-Penn alumnus, Steel-High grad Bryce Carter, had three tackles and half a sack for JMU.

In on the action

Harrisburg grad Andre White played a big role in Texas A&M’s stunning upset of No. 1 Alabama, recording eight tackles to finish third on the Aggies in a 41-38 shocker. It tied his season high set last week against Mississippi State and now gives him 29 on the season.

White’s former high school teammate, Donte Kent, had five tackles and two passes defensed in Central Michigan’s 30-27 win over Ohio University.

And another Cougar, Ronald Kent Jr. had a tackle and two PBUs in Western Carolina’s 34-24 loss to Mercer to fall to 0-6.

Cody Gustafson (Shippensburg High) had his fifth 100-yard game and third in a row in Grove City College’s 56-7 route of Geneva. He finished with five grabs for 123 yards and two scores (37 and 32 yards).

Zack Kuntz (Camp Hill) had three grabs for 23 yards in Old Dominion’s 20-13 overtime loss to Marshall.

PSAC performances

Bill Williams (Camp Hill) almost had his first 100-yard game of the season, leading Shippensburg to a 34-18 win over West Chester. He finished with 15 carries, 96 stripes and a touchdown. Lower Dauphin grad also had a big game, recording three catches for a game-high 83 yards and a score. Williams scored on a 39-yard burst, and Morrill recorded a 71-yard catch-and-run from QB Brycen Mussina. SU’s defense also featured several Mid-Penn products, including a four-tackle day from Laron Woody (Middletown), who added a fumble recovery. And Shippensburg High product Cameron Tinner recorded two tackles from his linebacker spot.

Tyler Luther (Chambersburg) was perfect on eight extra point attempts in IUP’s 58-21 win over Clarion. 

Stock Up, Stock Down after Week 7

Andy Shay
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Stock Up, Stock Down after Week 7

We’re taking a look around our coverage area to see who helped themselves this week and who did not as we move into Week No.8 of the high school football season.  

STOCK UP

Harrisburg Cougars

After a win over CD East at home in a game where it was clear Harrisburg was the better team overall, the path for the Mid-Penn Commonwealth title will go through the Cougars this season. This squad doesn’t have a lot of flash, but they play complementary football, are fundamentally sound and are a physical squad.

Boiling Springs

Boiling Springs is going to have a major say in the outcome of the Capital Division this season. And the Bubblers appear to have enough of the right components to be a playoff contender in District 3 Class 3A as well. With more athletes on the roster than you realize, they are methodical and patient on offense and will be tough to run against. Brad Zell’s group is playing its best football, it appears, at the right time.

Shippensburg

Each of the last three weeks, Shippensburg has taken on a would-be Colonial Division contender and completely dominated each game. Waynesboro, Mechanicsburg and Northern each took their shot at the Greyhounds and combined to score 24 total points. Next up is West Perry and a Mustangs offense that has found a consistent groove. And that will most likely end this week at the hands of the ‘Hounds’ D.

STOCK DOWN

Carlisle, Cumberland Valley

Brutal losses for Carlisle and Cumberland Valley. The Thundering Herd gave Central Dauphin a full metal jacket test before the Rams nailed a 39-yard field goal as time expired to win by three. The loss dropped Carlisle to 4-3 and put the Herd below the playoff yellow line. There’s still three more games to make up ground, and the Herd do have a couple winnable games left. A win over CD changes everything, though. To get that close and lose is such a gut-punch. Cumberland Valley had State College on the ropes before stalling a bit offensively, and the Little Lions roared back to force overtime before pulling out a three-point road win at The Chap. Like Carlisle, this loss drops the Eagles to 3-4 overall and below the postseason yellow line. Cumberland Valley still has Harrisburg and Central Dauphin remaining. It’s a big-time uphill climb for the Eagles to even finish .500 this season.

Discipline

I get there’s some bad blood between CD East and Harrisburg when it comes to the football field. But bringing it to the field with you is wasted baggage. If the Cougars and Panthers had put as much effort into the actual game as they did talking trash to each other at close range, that game would have been a whole lot better. The number of 15-yard unsportsmanlike, late hit or personal foul penalties was ridiculous. At one point CD East had two 15-yard violations on ONE play. That’s giving away a quick 30 yards. Good trash talking is awesome and part of the game today. This was just jawing at each other for no reason really. It impacted both teams, and the quality of football was way down because of this nonsense. Both coaching staffs were preaching “be smart, walk away,” and it was falling on deaf ears. 

Eric F. Epler’s State High School Football Rankings after Week 7

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Eric F. Epler’s State High School Football Rankings after Week 7

Pa. High School Football Rankings (Oct. 12)

Class 6A — Record — Previous rank 

1. North Penn (1)                    — 7-0   — 3 

2. Mount Lebanon (7)             — 7-0   — 6 

3. Central York (3)                   — 6-0   — 5 

4. La Salle College HS (12)       — 6-1   — 1 

5. St. Joseph’s Prep (12)          — 3-2   — 4 

6. Harrisburg (3)                     — 6-1   — 8 

7. Garnet Valley (1)                 — 7-0   — 7 

8. McDowell (10)                    — 6-0   — 10 

9. Parkland (11)                      — 5-1   — NR 

10. Pittsburgh C.C. (7)             — 5-2   — 2 

Teams to watch: Archbishop Wood (12) 5-2, CD East (3) 5-2, Coatesville (1) 6-1, Emmaus (11) 6-1, Quakertown (1) 7-0, York High (3) 5-1.  

Class 5A — Record — Previous rank 

1. Governor Mifflin (3)            — 6-0   — 1 

2. Imhotep Charter (12)          — 5-1   — 2 

3. Moon (7)                             — 7-0   — 3 

4. Cathedral Prep (10)            — 5-1   — 4 

5. Chester (1)                          — 7-0   — 6 

6. Manheim Central (3)          — 6-1   — 7 

7. Unionville (1)                      — 6-1   — 10 

8. Shippensburg (3)                — 7-0   — 9 

9. Academy Park (1)                — 4-2   — 5 

10. West Chester Rustin (1)    — 5-1   — NR 

Teams to watch: Penn-Trafford (7) 5-1, Pine-Richland (7) 4-3, Spring Grove (3) 5-1, Strath Haven (1) 6-1. 

Class 4A — Record — Previous rank 

1. Jersey Shore (4)                  — 7-0   — 1 

2. Belle Vernon (7)                  — 6-0   — 2 

3. Bishop McDevitt (3)            — 5-1   — 4 

4. Thomas Jefferson (7)          — 4-1   — 3 

5. Valley View (2)                    — 7-0   — 5 

6. Aliquippa (7)                       — 5-1   — 6 

7. Northwestern Lehigh (11)  — 7-0   — 7 

8. McKeesport (7)                   — 6-1   — 8 

9. Berks Catholic (3)                — 5-2   — 9 

10. Lampeter-Strasburg (3)    — 6-1   — NR 

Teams to watch: Bishop Shanahan (1) 6-1, Hampton (7) 7-0, Pope John Paul II (1) 5-2, Pottsville (11) 6-1, Upper Moreland (1)  6-1. 

Class 3A — Record — Previous rank 

1. North Schuylkill (11)           — 7-0   — 1 

2. Central Valley (7)                — 7-0   — 2 

3. Wyomissing (3)                   — 7-0   — 3 

4. Scranton Prep (2)                — 6-0   — 5 

5. Central Martinsburg (6)      — 7-0   — 7 

6. Neumann-Goretti (12)        — 5-1   — 8 

7. North Catholic (7)               — 7-0   — 9 

8. Notre Dame-GP (11)           — 5-1   — 4 

9. Bedford (5)                          — 6-1   — 6 

10. Clearfield (9)                     — 7-0   — 10 

Teams to watch: Avonworth (7) 6-1, Boiling Springs (3) 6-1, Fort LeBoeuf (10) 5-1, Lakeland (2) 6-1, Wyoming Area (2) 5-1. 

Class 2A — Record — Previous rank  

1. Farrell (10)                          — 5-0   — 1 

2. Southern Columbia (4)        — 6-1   — 2 

3. Sto-Rox (7)                          — 7-0   — 3 

4. Washington (7)                   — 6-0   — 4 

5. Bellwood-Antis (6)              — 7-0   — 5 

6. Serra Catholic (7)                — 6-0   — 6 

7. Windber (5)                         — 7-0   — 7 

8. Steel Valley (7)                    — 6-0   — NR 

9. Richland Township (6)        — 5-2   — 9 

10. York Catholic (3)               — 5-0   — 10 

Teams to watch: Bald Eagle Area (6) 6-1, Berlin Brothersvalley (5) 6-1, Karns City (9) 6-1, Laurel (7) 7-0. 

Class 1A — Record — Previous rank  

1. Steelton-Highspire (3)         — 6-0   — 1 

2. Old Forge (2)                       — 6-0   — 2 

3. Muncy (4)                            — 6-1   — 3 

4. Canton (4)                           — 7-0   — 4 

5. Redbank Valley (9)             — 6-1   — 5 

6. Portage (6)                          — 6-0   — 7 

7. Tri-Valley (11)                     — 5-1   — 8 

8. Homer-Center (6)               — 6-1   — 9 

9. Rochester (7)                      — 5-1   — 10 

10. Williams Valley (11)          — 6-1   — NR 

Teams to watch: Bishop Canevin (7) 6-1, Clairton (7) 4-2, Juniata Valley (6) 5-1, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (7) 5-1, Smethport (9) 6-1, Williams Valley (11) 6-1.

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