Each week, we’re scouring the Mid-Penn, Lancaster-Lebanon, York, and Berks conferences to determine the top 11 teams in the area regardless of classification. Take a look at which teams made the cut after Week 7. Disagree, let us know on Twitter (@4thdownmag) and Facebook.
11.
Steel-High
6-0
11
Had to come up with some fourth-quarter magic to come from behind and knock off Trinity in a game where the Shamrocks pushed the Rollers to the edge.
10.
Cedar Cliff
5-2
10
Took a clubbing from No. 4 Bishop McDevitt in a game that was over by halftime. Barely hanging on in the rankings. Favorable schedule down the stretch.
9.
Wyomissing
7-0
10
Beat goes on for the Spartans with their first 50-plus point offensive game of the season.
8.
Shippensburg
7-0
NR
Welcome the Greyhounds to the Elite 11. Their defense earned this call by holding six of seven teams to 14 or fewer points. That’s a difference maker.
7.
Exeter Township
4-3
8
Hey, losing to No. 1 Governor Mifflin by only five touchdowns isn’t all that bad. Two of Exeter’s three losses are to the Nos. 1- and 2-ranked teams.
6.
Central Dauphin
4-1
7
Needed a 39-yard field goal on the final play to subdue Carlisle and avoid overtime. Thundering Herd provided a full test.
5.
CD East
5-2
5
Learning-curve loss to No. 3 Harrisburg for the Panthers. Struggled to look like they belonged on the field with the Cougars in the first half, then settled down and stayed in the game.
4.
Bishop McDevitt
5-1
4
This was supposed to be the one week where the Crusaders at least were given a little resistance. That didn’t happen. This offense is off the charts with 56 more points.
3.
Harrisburg
6-1
3
Cougars showed their balance and overall strength in the win over CD East. The stage of a big game looked very comfortable for Harrisburg. It was the difference maker.
2.
Central York
6-0
2
The Panthers faced fellow YAIAA unbeaten Spring Grove, won by 31 points and scored 48. Offense is a difference maker.
1.
Governor Mifflin
6-0
1
The Mustangs have now scored 305 points this season in those six games. Yes, they average more than 50 a game and win by an average of nearly 40.
Isaac Sines, jr., QB/K, Cumberland Valley — Sines almost single-handedly kept the Eagles in the game before Quinn Murphy drilled a 24-yard field goal to lift State College to a 21-18 win in OT. Sines opened the game with a 96-yard sprint to the end zone, then added 34- and 33-yard field goals in the second quarter to make it 12-0 CV. He added fourth-quarter field goals from 25 and 29 yards out, the last with 28 seconds left to force overtime. Sines finished 10-of-34 for 149 yards and a pick and added 144 yards on nine rushes.
Justin Cook, sr., WR/DB, Harrisburg — Cook hauled in an impressive eight passes from two different quarterbacks for 120 yards and two scores in the Cougars’ Saturday matinee, a 25-20 win over CD East in a battle between Mid-Penn Commonwealth contenders. He scored both TDs in the first half, the first a 35-yarder from Zakii Lewis and the second for 63 yards, also from Lewis.
Roman Jensen, so., QB, Red Land — Jensen had one of his best games of the season in a 32-0 whitewash of Mifflin County. The signal caller was a tidy 12-of-16 for 274 yards and tossed three touchdowns of 65, 10 and 50 yards. He also ran for another from 2 yards out.
Parker Lawler, so., RB/DB, Red Land — Lawler hauled in one of those Jensen TD tosses and used his hands on the other side of the ball for two interceptions in a 32-0 win over Mifflin County. Lawler finished with 100 total yards of offense.
Stone Saunders, fr., QB, Bishop McDevitt — It was supposed to be the game that would decide the Mid-Penn Keystone crown, but Saunders never left it in doubt. The Crusaders stormed Cedar Cliff 56-0, with the rookie’s nine completions turning into five touchdowns (four in the first quarter to four different receivers). He finished with 242 yards and was 9-of-13 passing. The TDs went for 59 (Jeff Penn), 44 (Rico Scott), 38 (Mario Easterly), 42 (Marquise Williams) and 36 yards (Kamil Foster).
Ahren Stauffer, sr., K, Central Dauphin — Two kickers on the poll this week? Yes, yes there are. Stauffer nailed a game-winning boot with all zeroes on the clock to lead Central Dauphin to a thrilling 24-21 win over Carlisle. The kick cleared from 39 yards out. Stauffer was also good on all three extra point attempts.
Anthony Smith, sr., DE/TE, Shippensburg — The Greyhounds defense swarmed Northern in a 21-3 win to improve to 7-0. Smith, a Minnesota commit, finished with a pair of sacks finished with 45 yards on two receptions, including a 38-yard score in the first quarter that put the game out of reach.
Aiden Mencia, sr., RB, Waynesboro — Mencia had at least 120 rushing yards in Friday’s 52-7 win over Susquehanna Township, scoring on first-half runs of 43, 64 and 15 yards to spark a blowout after the Indians posted the first score less than a minute in. He also scored a two-point conversion after his second TD.
Small School: 3A-1A:
Joey Menke, sr., RB/LB, Boiling Springs — Menke continues to put up big numbers for the surging Bubblers, this time a 200-yard outing in Friday’s 44-28 win over Big Spring. Menke recorded 134 rushing yards and 73 receiving, scoring four times. Those TDs included a 16-yard dash, a 73-yard pitch-and-catch from Collin Lunde, a 1-yard plunge and a 46-yard burst. He also added five tackles and a sack on defense.
Taeyon Bratton, sr., RB, Steel-High — A rare comeback win for the Rollers was completed by Bratton, who scored three short touchdowns on the ground, including two late to secure a 34-28 victory over Trinity, led by former Roller Jordan Hill.
Aiden Dishman, jr., RB, Newport — Dishman enjoyed the biggest night of his career last weekend, as the diminutive junior rushed 23 times for 247 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Newport’s 41-7 thrashing of James Buchanan. As a result, Todd Rothermel’s Buffaloes ended a five-game losing streak. Dishman reeled off a 73-yard touchdown run in the second quarter as Newport opened a 13-0 halftime lead, then tacked on an 18-yard TD early in the fourth quarter.
Brady Evans, jr., WR, Williams Valley — Not that far removed from his Small School Player of the Week success, Evans played a leading role Saturday night as Williams Valley methodically disposed of Marian Catholic 35-7. Before the Vikings’ latest victory was in the books, Evans caught five passes for 121 yards and a pair of touchdowns — one in each half.
Wil Laskowski, sr., QB, Upper Dauphin — Deftly engineering yet another UDA victory, Laskowski rushed seven times for 95 yards, scored twice and tossed a touchdown pass before the opening quarter of the Trojans’ 40-8 defeat of Susquenita was over. Laskowski scored on runs of 50 and 15 yards, then tacked on a 29-yard TD pass to Aiden Wiest as UDA opened a 20-0 lead with one second to play in the first quarter in his lone completion on three attempts.
Kameron Wetzel, jr., RB, Tri-Valley — Wetzel contributed every time he touched the football over the weekend, and the athletic junior made all of them count as Tri-Valley pulled away to a 42-17 victory over Colonial-Schuylkill Blue playmate Nativity. While Wetzel rushed 19 times for 89 yards and scored three times via the run, he also caught one pass for 5 yards. However, it was his return of the second-half kickoff for yet another touchdown that enabled Jeff Sampson’s club to score the last 21 points of the game and win rather easily.
Jake Scheib, jr., RB/DL, Tri-Valley — While the rugged Scheib undoubtedly cleared plenty of space for Wetzel to bounce through, he also rushed 12 times for 107 yards in Tri-Valley’s 42-17 conquest of Colonial-Schuylkill Blue rival Nativity. Scheib also proved to be a handful on the defensive side of the ball as he racked up a team-high eight tackles and recovered one fumble.
Isaac Whiteash, jr., QB, Williams Valley — Extremely efficient throughout the Vikings’ 35-7 dispatching of Marian Catholic, Whiteash completed 11 of his 15 pass attempts for 195 yards and a pair of touchdowns — both to Brady Evans and one in each half.
This was supposed to be the week where Bishop McDevitt was tested at another level compared to the last month. Cedar Cliff was the one team in the Keystone Division that could push back.
The Colts were never going to win the game. That was pretty obvious. Cedar Cliff would put up a fight and push back, though. At least a little bit. Maybe?
McDevitt wasn’t having any of it. The Crusaders made sure this game looked like all the others not named La Salle College. The result, 56-0, has nothing to do with Cedar Cliff, either. This is all about the firepower of the Crusaders. End of story.
The Crusaders had 469 total yards and led 42-0 at halftime. In my eyes this was an announcement game. McDevitt’s offense will find a way to get theirs at the Class 4A level. What quietly makes this team very appealing at the next level is they have a defense to back it up.
Cedar Cliff didn’t get to 100 yards, and RB Jontae Morris, one of the top backs in the Mid-Penn Conference, had 21 carries but didn’t get to 50 yards. And the passing stats, 6-for-32, 1 pick and 49 yards, is very revealing.
There will be no tests forthcoming, either, for McDevitt. There are more 60- and 70-point nights in October on deck. Don’t be disappointed in the Colts’ performance. They had zero say in this.
It was a pleasure to visit Newville Friday night for the Battle Of The Springs, where Boiling upended Big by 16 points in front of a packed house at Bulldog Field.
Check out my game recapand Making The Gradefrom the Bubblers’ 44-28 win. Tip of the cap to the Big Spring grounds crew for one of the best natural grass surfaces I’ve seen in years. That playing field is elite. Also, the playing of the alma mater while raising a school flag by the home stands with its own flagpole was a first for me. I had not seen that in my 30 years. Hint to other schools … borrow this one. It’s a keeper.
I was asked earlier in the week if either of these teams is capable of knocking off Steel-High. My answer was I’m not sure. Well, that answer has changed. Boiling Springs is fully capable of winning the Capital Division. Big Spring will put up a fight, too.
The Bubblers are seasoned, comfortable and confident in what they do and have more depth in terms of offensive weapons than you might see in one night. Their secondary is a major concern in a matchup against Steel-High. It’s Boiling Springs’ only real weakness. I think they have the linebackers and front to make the Rollers one dimensional, and if necessary this Wing-T offense can open up and be a balanced beast.
Speaking of the Rollers, that was a championship rally against Trinity. The emotions of that game, facing T-Rocks head coach and former Roller great Jordan Hill and plenty of his teammates who are now assistant coaches, isn’t easy.
Two late touchdowns by RB Taeyon Bratton allowed Steel-High to escape COBO Field with a six-point win. If you didn’t think this game would be close, you don’t understand football. Now, if Trinity can play at this level down the stretch they will make some noise. The Capital is a brutal division, though.
Palmyra continues to be the biggest surprise in the Mid-Penn Conference this season. The Cougars made it three wins in a row by besting winless Hershey 21-7. Richie Kowalski had an 11-yard TD reception and returned a kick 85 yards for a touchdown.
Last week the Cougars survived a shootout with Red Land where it took 48 points to win. This time around it was a tight and tense affair with the spunky Trojans. Adapting to play whatever the game dictates is all about confidence. And Palmyra has it.
A close second to the Cougars on the surprise meter in my book is West Perry. The 4-3 Mustangs took East Pennsboro out behind the woodshed by scoring 38 unanswered points to get the game to mercy rule status by the opening minute of the fourth quarter.
QB Marcus Quaker threw for 110, on 5 of 5 passing with a couple touchdowns, and ran for another 116, including a 67-yard gallop. Workhouse RB Trent Herrera went for 152 yards, averaged 6.6 per carry and had a couple scores. West Perry piled up more than 400 total yards before calling off the dogs.
To show the fine line between winning and losing, I offer up Cumberland Valley and Carlisle. The Eagles were caught and passed by State College in a game that was eventually decided in OT. The loss dropped CV to 3-4 despite a stellar game from QB Isaac Sines (293 total yards and four touchdowns).
Carlisle fell to 4-3 overall and has come close twice to getting a signature win this season after Central Dauphin kicker Ahren Stauffer nailed a 39-yard field goal as time expired to claim a 24-21 triumph. Good win for the Rams. A tougher loss for the Thundering Herd. I still think Carlisle is fully capable of finishing 6-4 this season. The effort is there, they have layers of talent and they have come close to getting over the hump twice.
Shippensburg keeps finding ways to put games in a box where they are completely comfortable and squeeze the life out of an opponent. The Greyhounds easily subdued Northern 21-3 to stay unbeaten. The Polar Bears put up a fight defensively, but Ship is a team that kills you with a thousand paper cuts. You can play well and still have little or no say in the outcome. That was what the ‘Hounds did to Northern.
Upper Dauphin is making a postseason push in the Liberty Division after snuffing out Susquenita by 32 points. QB Will Laskowski rushed for a pair of scores and threw for another — all in the first quarter — as the Trojans grabbed the horns of the bull in this one early.
Red Land’s offense has found another gear lately and is piling up points and yards thanks to QB Roman Jensen, who threw for 274 in a shutout win over Mifflin County. Very solid win by Mechanicsburg to end a two-game slide at Greencastle-Antrim. You know, the Wildcats are looking more and more like a seven-win team based on their remaining schedule.
Boiling Springs has a bit of moxy cooking this year, and you can clearly see the Bubblers are comfortable and confident in their own skin in a big game.
Big Spring was jacked up and ready to go at home Friday night, but when the game went a little sideways for the Bulldogs offensively in the second quarter they struggled to answer the bell.
And the Bubblers made them pay dearly.
All the little things — zero turnovers, fewer penalties, better special teams, big plays — they all belonged to the Bubblers in a 16-point victory that was never in doubt in the second half despite Big Spring closing the gap to 10 points at one juncture. Boiling Springs knew exactly what was needed and simply went out there and executed.
Big Spring is a playoff team in my mind in Class 4A. They fell to 5-2 overall and could easily be a 7-3 squad by the end of the regular season. And they have the components to win a playoff game for the first time in program history. This game will help. That big-game seasoning will serve the Bulldogs well going forward.
From what I see, Boiling Springs is a legitimate District 3 Class 3A and Capital Division contender.
Time to hand out some grades.
BOILING SPRINGS BUBBLERS
Quarterback: Colin Lunde is an experienced senior, and it really shows. I mean, the Bubblers had him throw the first play of the game and he delivered a dart. His next two tosses, and final two passes by the way, went for touchdowns and covered 103 yards. If the Bubblers need to air it out, he has the arm and savvy to chuck it around. He also runs the Wing-T like a surgeon from under center and has those ball fakes and slick handoffs down to a science. They are important. Grade: A
Running Back: What’s not to like about the 1-2 inside, outside punch delivered by fullback Aidan Metzger and halfback Joey Menke? Although Metzger left the game in the third quarter and didn’t return, the Bubblers had control. Menke gets the edge on those buck sweeps so smooth, and it appears effortless. And he is faster than you think. He has what I call sneaky deceptive speed. Of his 118 yards rushing, 102 came on the ground. Grade: A
Wide Receivers: The first touchdown catch by Carson Garvey was just a 6-foot-2 kid going up over a smaller corner who had a better shot at the ball in the air and making the grab over top of his helmet. Slick catch. Menke is also an option out of his halfback/wing spot. But I saw two or three other options out there as well for the Bubblers. I’m convinced this team could throw it and be successful if necessary. Grade: B
Offensive Line: It was a stalemate the first half across the board, but the second half belonged to the lads up front. The left side was collapsing everybody and everything to open up massive lanes for Menke to pick and choose. Very few negative plays, that’s a Wing-T thing and it matters. A 5.3 yards per carry is respectable. Grade: B+
Defensive Line: Most of the pressure in the pass rush came from blitzes, and it confused the Big Spring OL. So, they were just OK on that front. In the run game, particularly on the edges and in stretches inside the tackles, they were very good. Only 110 rushing yards allowed. Grade: B
Linebackers: The outside ‘backers set the edge to perfection all game, and even on the swing passes to the Bulldogs’ speed guy they were in the right spots. It was impressive. Trey McCardell needs to blitz more. I’m not a coach, but when that kid comes he gets home more often than not. He was a weapon when he blitzed. Grade: A
Secondary: Got beat several times on long passes and another couple times overthrows were their friend because they were beat as well. They were pretty good in run support, but they were more fortunate at times than good. Grade: C
Special Teams: So, how important were those 195 kick return yards in the first half? Coach Brad Zell said it was a difference-maker for the Bubblers. Boiling Springs had three options in the return game and all got upfield in a hurry and broke tackles. It’s a weapon. The kick coverage was a wee bit shaky, though, allowing 100 yards in returns the first half. Short kickoffs fixed that problem, but that’s not ideal. Kicking game was fine. Missed one extra point, but Jack Laing did bang home a 38-yard field goal. Grade: B+
BIG SPRING BULLDOGS
Quarterback: Ethan Eisenberg is a very good quarterback. And he’s only a junior. He did struggle at times in this one, though. He missed a couple of deep shots in the first half when the Bubblers were making a 21-point run to seize control. And the offense punted five times in a row at one point in the first half. After starting 3 of 4 he missed his next six leading into halftime and saw his streak of incompletions grow to eight before throwing a couple second-half touchdown passes. He went with the underneath receivers the second half, which was a good adjustment. Those same underneath receivers were available the first half as well, except he missed them because he was only looking deep. Grade: C+
Running Back: Man, does Dillon Wakefield run hard. He is not easy to bring down, either. I was impressed with his vision after he went through the hole more than anything. Getting to 118 yards on 18 carries is some pretty good work against this defense. Grade: A
Wide Receivers: The Bulldogs have a little bit of everything to work with — speed to go deep, guys who run good routes and find space. Connor Black, who had two catches for 50 yards and also had a 52-yard TD catch-and-run called back for ineligible man downfield, needs more targets. Going forward, my guess is he will be more involved in the offense. Grade: B
Offensive Line: I saw some really good stuff on the inside blocking that opened some holes and did some damage. Getting the edge set and being able to use their speed on the perimeter was not executed well. Straight up pass blocking was fine, but when the Bubblers blitzed they whiffed on protection pick-up and left their QB out to dry several times. Grade: C+
Defensive Line: They pushed back early, but once Boiling Springs found its groove they were caught in a more reactive mode rather than proactive and aggressive. They couldn’t get a stop on short yardage to get off the field when the offense needed the ball back, either. Grade: C
Linebackers: Other than Wakefield, this group struggled. Making stops on those fullback traps wasn’t killing them, but the edge — particularly the right side — was a real problem the second half. Lots of green grass to choose from on those buck sweeps the second half. Grade: C-
Secondary: Again, they were MIA in run support when it came to the edge, and they were making way too many tackles 10 and 15 yards down the field. Lost coverage on Menke late in the first half and got burned for a 73-yard touchdown. That first catch was good defense, just a 6-2 wideout winning a battle against a 5-8 guy covering him. Grade: C
Special Teams: The kick coverage, punts and kickoffs alike, was atrocious the first half. I mean 195 return yards by intermission is a game changer and you don’t recover from that. Way too many missed tackles and lane discipline seemed to be MIA. Here’s a perfect example of why special teams killed the Bulldogs: Wakefield nailed a 40-yard punt that was fair caught inside the 10. But an illegal motion penalty on the Bulldogs forced him to kick it again from 5 yards back. The ensuing punt was returned 71 yards. Grade: D
Boiling Springs used huge chunks of yards in the kick return game to set itself up for success in the first half, turned three of those returns into 21 second-quarter points to seize control and Joey Menke scored four total touchdowns as Boiling Springs knocked off Big Spring 44-28 at Bulldog Stadium in Newville.
KEYS TO VICTORY
The Bubblers had 195 kick return yards in the first half, including a 42-yard punt return by Marcus Boyle and a 71-yard punt return by Carson Garvey. The 195 yards came on two kickoff returns and three punt returns, an average of 39 yards per return. That was only in the first half, and it went a long way to helping the Bubblers snare a 24-7 halftime cushion.
Big Spring scored on its first offensive possession to grab a short-lived 7-3 lead. The next five Bulldogs possessions of the first half all resulted in punts, very few yards of offense along with a couple missed opportunities on deep shots. Boiling Springs didn’t miss on its chances, including a 73-yard catch-and-run by Menke in the dying minutes before halftime.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Boiling Springs, a squad that runs the Wing-T offense, threw on its very first play of the game for a short completion. The next two attempts by QB Colin Lunde covered 103 yards and went the distance for touchdowns. The Bubblers did not attempt a pass the second half, running the ball all 33 of its offensive snaps for 202 yards. … Menke finished with 191 total yards on 19 touches (18 carries, 1 reception) with four touchdowns. He had 10 carries for 102 yards and two rushing touchdowns in the second half. … Dillon Wakefield paced the Bulldogs with 118 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns. … The Bulldogs also showed some pop in the return game with 100 kick return yards in the first half. Combined, the two teams posted 295 kick return yards in the first two quarters.
WHAT WE SAW
The gap between these two squads was pretty narrow, but special teams was such a difference maker. Boiling Springs had five possessions in the second quarter when it outscored Big Spring 21-0 to seize control. Those possessions started at the Big Spring 32, 10, 28, the Boiling Springs 27 and 38. Those kick returns by the Bulldogs played a huge role.
Running Menke left was the Bubblers’ bread-and-butter the second half as they leaned on the clock to grind down the Bulldogs. At one point Menke ran the Wing-T favorite, buck sweep, to the left on 5 of 6 carries and took two of those totes to the house for touchdowns.
THEY SAID IT
“This is what a rivalry should be. There wasn’t a lot of talking of any kind out there, just good, hard football. I think the kick returns was a big difference in this game. We have a coach who is dedicated only to special teams. Our three returners, where do you kick it? It was huge for us in a tight game.” — Boiling Springs head coach Brad Zell
While Jeff Sampson’s Tri-Valley outfit (4-1, 1-0) received little or no resistance last weekend from Colonial-Schuylkill Blue playmate Marian Catholic, the Bulldogs’ next league adversary should provide a much-larger challenge. Since Nativity (4-2, 2-0) is making the journey to the Hegins-Valley View Metroplex, make your reservations now for some hamburgers and sauce, Williams French Fries and have a $5 bill ready for a book of 50-50 tickets.
That’s right, a dandy figures to unfold along Route 25. Although Sampson’s Bulldogs spread the ball around while decimating Marian 53-0 a week ago — backs Jake Scheib and Kam Wetzel had effective yet brief outings lugging the ball — QB Jonas McGrath may need to find the form he flashed before Tri-Valley was put on hold by a COVID-19 flare-up. Pat Mason’s Green Wave turned back Shenandoah Valley 35-26 last weekend, but Nativity is sitting atop the Blue table as we speak while Tri-Valley leads the District 11 Class A power rankings. Cody Miller and Stephen Spolski are dependable skills and they’ve played a lot of varsity football for the Pottsville-based Wave. Stay tuned.
Williams Valley regaining form
Rolling up 500-plus yards last weekend during a 44-14 conquest of Colonial-Schuylkill Blue adversary Panther Valley, Williams Valley (5-1, 1-0) is hoping to build on its two-game winning streak Saturday night when Tim Savage’s bunch wheels into suburban Tamaqua to meet winless Marian Catholic (0-6, 0-2). Sophomore Alex Achenbach shrugged off the bumps and bruises he received two-plus weeks ago during a loss to pass-happy Minersville, rushing for 334 yards and four scores against Panther Valley. Isaac Whiteash added 140 yards passing, hooking up with Brady Evans five times for 75 stripes.
Evans also scored twice. Williams Valley also is trying to remain at or near the top of the Blue Division standings — pending the outcome of Friday’s Tri-Valley-Nativity clash — while maintaining or bettering its No. 2 spot in the 11-A power rankings. Jackson Yoder sparkled defensively against the Panthers, making a team-high 12 stops, while big eater Ezi Hite dominated up front on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Vikes are big favorites here.
Pine Grove hoping to knock off 2A hammer
Hoping to avoid its second three-game skid of the 2021 campaign, Pine Grove (1-5, 0-2) will welcome Colonial-Schuylkill White frontrunner Palmerton to southern Schuylkill County. These Blue Bombers (5-1, 2-0) — not the Canadian Football League mainstay that calls Winnipeg home — also are parked atop the District 11 Class 2A power rankings. Pine Grove has struggled to move the ball recently, so getting productive nights from backs Lane Lehman and Colin Ibarra is a must.
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.
Upper Dauphin hoping to maintain momentum
Unleashing a potent ground game that attacked from every possible angle, Upper Dauphin (4-1, 2-1) will carry its three-game winning streak to the west side of the Susquehanna River this weekend for a date with Susquenita (3-2, 2-0). For Kent Smeltz’s Trojans, who piled up 443 rushing yards last weekend in a 36-6 romp at Line Mountain, Friday’s scrap is a must-have result if UDA hopes to stay in the chase for the Mid-Penn Liberty title and maintain its hold on one of District 3’s four Class 2A playoff berths.
Brady Morgan rushed for 175 yards and two touchdowns, while Christian Snyder hammered between the tackles for 119 more yards and another score. Alex Hepler nearly became the third UDA back to reach 100 yards, totaling 84 on four totes. QB Wil Laskowski spent most of the night triggering UDA’s impressive attack but still managed to score twice on keepers. Susquenita (3-2, 2-0) did not play last weekend, but still added a notch to the win column when depleted Newport opted to forfeit.
The Blackhawks were soundly beaten by Big Spring two weeks ago, when sophomore QB Derek Gibney absorbed a number of bell-ringing blows. Gibney’s presence is critical since the Blackhawks do need to establish balance offensively against an active UDA defensive unit. Line Mountain did throw for nearly 200 yards, but much of that came early in the first quarter on an 83-yard bomb. While Susquenita is trying to climb into contention for a 3-2A playoff berth, the Blackhawks still have league-leading Juniata awaiting later this month.
Juniata steps out of league play … again
Still perfect in Mid-Penn Liberty play — Juniata (4-2, 3-0) played only a half last weekend yet handled Halifax 38-7 — Kurt Condo’s Indians will entertain non-league foe Midd-West (0-6) at The Kling.
In addition to its Liberty Division edge, Juniata holds a commanding lead in the District 6 Class 4A power rankings. One key stat from last weekend’s one-sided affair: Juniata limited Halifax to minus-68 yards rushing, with most of that occurring after Wildcats QB Carter Enders was injured. Halifax (1-5, 0-3) was scheduled to play Line Mountain this weekend, but that game was canceled and the planned Homecoming festivities were postponed.
Line Mountain chases elusive first win
Since Halifax is opting out, Line Mountain (0-5, 0-3) successfully scrambled to find a replacement opponent that will require a good bit of travel. Brandon Carson’s Eagles will board the bus Saturday for a trek to Allentown, where the Mountain will square off against independent Executive Education (3-3) at Muhlenberg College. Line Mountain dropped a 36-6 verdict last weekend to Upper Dauphin, but freshman quarterback Blake Readinger held up OK, completing 13 of his 28 passes for 183 yards and one score.
While Readinger’s 83-yard heave to Aidan Herb had the Eagles up early, he was picked off twice and coughed up the ball once against an opportunistic UDA defense. Line Mountain’s defense struggled mightily for the first time all season, yielding 481 yards to the visiting Trojans — including 443 on the ground. Executive Education reached the .500 mark last weekend by blanking Philly Public League opponent Overbrook 25-0.
The Raptors also own victories over Schuylkill Haven and Bristol but have lost to Berks Catholic, Shikellamy and Interboro. … Newport (1-5, 1-1) and James Buchanan (1-4, 1-1) are hoping to end nagging losing streaks this weekend. The Port has dropped five in a row, while JB has lost three straight.
Andy Shay: Lower Dauphin 24, Milton Hershey 21: The best player on the field plays for the Spartans, but the ask of Dion Bryant each week is a lot. He’s answered the bell at every turn, and you have to admire and respect that. Falcons know how to grind and get the max out of what they have, and there are a lot more pieces with which to work.
Geoff Morrow: Lower Dauphin 23, Milton Hershey 14: An interesting off-day matchup of neighbors who never really play against each other. Falcons’ defense has been blistered for 114 points in two straight losses to the Keystone elite, but, if the last two weeks haven’t killed confidence, LD has a realistic chance to win out its slate.
Andy Sandrik: Milton Hershey 20, Lower Dauphin 16: I don’t know if this is the correct pick, but having Dion Bryant on Milton Hershey’s side gives the Spartans at least a puncher’s chance, no?
Adam Kulikowski: Milton Hershey 27, Lower Dauphin 24: The X-factor in this game, Dion Bryant, has the ability to hit a home run any time he touches the ball. It’s likely he’ll start at QB this week. Can the Falcons’ defense limit his damage?
Friday
Altoona at Chambersburg, 7
Andy Shay: Altoona 21, Chambersburg 17: I know Altoona has struggled to score points the last couple of games, and its offense is very one-dimensional. Chambersburg has a little more variety and pop, but I like the Mountain Lions’ defense in this one.
Geoff Morrow: Altoona 25, Chambersburg 17: The two last-place teams in one of the toughest big-school divisions in the state meet in Franklin County. Mountain Lions couldn’t get anything going last week against Harrisburg, but I think they’re the better team and should find a way to snap a three-game skid.
Andy Sandrik: Altoona 24, Chambersburg 13: My understanding is that the Trojans have a few injuries in the trenches. It’s going to take a big effort from the next men up to keep this game competitive.
Adam Kulikowski: Altoona 31, Chambersburg 20: Mrs. 4th Down, who hails from Mountain Lion country, says ‘Toona snaps their skid this week. You know what they say about wives always being right…
This week, we’re chatting with Big Spring’s Eli Hasco on The Spotlight with Andy Shay.
Boiling Springs at Big Spring, 7
Andy Shay: Boiling Springs 34, Big Spring 27: The “Battle of the Spring(s)” goes to the Bubblers for the second straight year. This game has massive curb appeal, though, on so many levels. For the record: A Bulldogs win is NOT an upset. This is a 50-50 call all the way.
Geoff Morrow: Big Spring 33, Boiling Springs 31: Two offenses that haven’t been stopped. Two programs vying to challenge Steel-High for a Capital crown. The rivals have split the last four meetings. I don’t know who wins; my guess is pure toss-up. But just know that Cumberland County will be rocking.
Andy Sandrik: Big Spring 30, Boiling Springs 26: When’s the last time Big Spring and Boiling Springs were BOTH this good? Just going on a hunch with this pick and hoping I can get off my landscaping job in time to watch the game in person.
Adam Kulikowski: Boiling Springs 28, Big Spring 24: This should be a wonderful battle between two Wing-T clubs who know each other’s styles inside and out. Giving the Bubblers a slight edge to make it two straight over the Bulldogs.
Carlisle at Central Dauphin, 7
Andy Shay: Central Dauphin 31, Carlisle 21: Something tells me this will be a competitive game into the fourth quarter. I think Carlisle can have that expectation. This Rams offense has found its mojo, and slowing down the machine won’t be easy.
Geoff Morrow: Central Dauphin 45, Carlisle 20: Again, as stated a few weeks ago about the Thundering Herd, until they can step up and knock off one of the Commonwealth kings, they’ll retain status as nuisance but not true contender. Going on the road and slowing a cooking-with-gas, Max Mosey-led offense isn’t a pleasant task, even for contenders.
Andy Sandrik: Central Dauphin 35, Carlisle 18: I wouldn’t be surprised if the Herd can keep this game within reach. I also wouldn’t be surprised if CD does what CD usually does. I’ve already used a couple of my “flyer” picks on Carlisle this season and have gotten burned, so I’m going with the Rams in a comfortable road victory.
Adam Kulikowski: Central Dauphin 41, Carlisle 20: I’m not sure I see this as close as my esteemed colleagues, but that’s more a testament to what the Rams have done since returning from their COVID-induced respite than a reflection of what the Thundering Herd have been able to accomplish in ‘21.
Cedar Cliff at Bishop McDevitt, 7
Andy Shay: Bishop McDevitt 35, Cedar Cliff 14: The talent level and depth at the skill positions for the Crusaders is such an advantage, it’s hard to see the Colts having enough firepower to keep up over the course of 48 minutes. McD hasn’t had its feet in the fire for weeks; I’m interested to see how that plays out.
Geoff Morrow: Cedar Cliff 30, Bishop McDevitt 27: With victories over the Crusaders in 2018 and ‘19, the Colts aren’t hampered by that “McDevitt mystique syndrome” that seems to put 90% of regular-season opponents in a 21-0 hole even before they step off the bus. Cedar Cliff is tough and tested; McDevitt hasn’t been tested since Week 1. It’s a tough spot for a freshman QB, too, but I fully expect a firefight with, essentially, the Keystone crown up for grabs. Top-notch entertainment value at Rocco.
Andy Sandrik: Bishop McDevitt 42, Cedar Cliff 13: This matchup looks much sexier on paper than I think it will actually turn out. Curious to see if the Colts can make any headway against a McDevitt defense allowing 5.25 points per game during its four-game win streak.
Adam Kulikowski: Bishop McDevitt 35, Cedar Cliff 28: The Crusaders have been in tune-up mode for the last few weeks battling clubs that were missing a few ingredients needed to keep up with the likes of McD. Can they turn it back on with the division title essentially on the line?
East Pennsboro at West Perry, 7
Andy Shay: West Perry 27, East Pennsboro 21: I have no idea which East Pennsboro team will show up from week to week. They are a high-wire act. The Mustangs have been more consistent, and that matters. If the Panthers put together a complete game over four quarters, though, they win.
Geoff Morrow: West Perry 37, East Pennsboro 21: Impossible to predict what you’re gonna get from the Panthers, but it’s fairly easy to predict the Mustangs won’t exactly be accommodating hosts, having tossed aside tough eggs Juniata and Mechanicsburg in their 2021 visits to Elliottsburg (sadly not named after former P-N motorhead scribe Jeremy Elliott).
Andy Sandrik: West Perry 35, East Pennsboro 21: In my unenviable quest to catch Shay in the pick ‘em standings, I see this as one of those games that could potentially turn the corner for me. But here’s the thing, I can’t pull the trigger. I know what I’m going to get from West Perry, but I can’t quite say the same for the Panthers.
Adam Kulikowski: West Perry 34, East Pennsboro 28: Mustangs sport the more balanced attack, and that matters in this one with the Panthers struggling to put the ball in the air. That just adds more pressure to Sy Burgos and his running mates to hit home runs to keep pace.
Mechanicsburg at Greencastle-Antrim, 7
Andy Shay: Greencastle-Antrim 28, Mechanicsburg 24: This is all about the Wildcats being able to get the game into a comfortable box for them offensively. If that happens, they win. The Blue Devils’ defense is solid against the run, and they have some variety on offense. Taking the home team.
Geoff Morrow: Mechanicsburg 21, Greencastle-Antrim 20: I’m losing faith in the Wildcats, who’ve dropped back-to-back games by double digits to start their Colonial slate. There’s something to salvage if they can find a way to win on the road here. Blue Devils are good but haven’t quite been good enough to consistently claim victory when it’s been available.
Andy Sandrik: Mechanicsburg 24, Greencastle-Antrim 20: This week we have the team picked to win the Colonial vs. the team that was picked to finish last. And it’s a 50-50 game! This division is, was, and always will be, nuts.
Adam Kulikowski: Mechanicsburg 28, Greencastle-Antrim 27: The Wildcats struggled to defend the pass last week against Shippensburg, but thankfully there is no Erby Weller-esque player sporting the Blue Devils kit on Friday.
Midd-West at Juniata, 7
Andy Shay: Juniata 21, Midd-West 6: Been a tough year for the winless Mustangs, and they have had trouble scoring points. Defense is a HUGE factor for the Indians and gives them a clear matchup advantage in my book.
Geoff Morrow: Juniata 40, Midd-West 7: Unlike Week 6, there aren’t too many gimmees among this week’s picks. Here’s an exception. Mustangs are NOT having a good season.
Andy Sandrik: Juniata 30, Midd-West 0: It wasn’t all that long ago that we were writing Juniata’s obituary after they lost their QB in Week 3, yet here the Indians are with a really good chance of improving to 5-2.
Adam Kulikowski: Juniata 30, Midd-West 10: The Indians’ defense will keep them in any game this year. That gives backup-turned-starting QB Aaron Kanagy plenty of time to find his footing under center.
Mifflin County at Red Land, 7
Andy Shay: Red Land 28, Mifflin County 20: I do think the Patriots are better than their 1-5 record, and that shows up in this one. Red Land has to make sure the Huskies don’t get the upper hand and end up chasing the game down.
Geoff Morrow: Red Land 26, Mifflin County 15: Huskies woofed up some offense last week! Patriots, meanwhile, yielded 48 points to Palmyra a week after the defense pitched a shutout. I’m betting the MiffCo offense and Red Land defense level out a bit this week, but one thing I can declare with confidence: The Keystone Division, outside the top two teams, is not very strong this year.
Andy Sandrik: Red Land 24, Mifflin County 14: I don’t know if the Patriots have been a clear favorite in any game this year, but I think they’re just that this week against MiffCo, and I think things go as scheduled with a relatively comfortable Red Land win at West Shore Stadium.
Adam Kulikowski: Red Land 31, Mifflin County 24: The Huskies showed some good signs on offense last week. Can they build on that success? I keep laying my stake on the Patriots — if I martingale long enough, I’m sure Frank Gay’s crew will bring one home. This should be the week.
Nativity BVM at Tri-Valley, 7
Andy Shay: Tri-Valley 28, Nativity BVM 14: Scoring points hasn’t been a problem for Nativity BVM, which brings some offense to the table. Bulldogs have a formula that limits those chances, and they finish drives that slow the game down. The lower scoring the better for T-V, which possesses the defense to back it up.
Geoff Morrow: Tri-Valley 28, Nativity BVM 14: Definitely won’t be as easy as it was last weekend for the Bulldogs, as the Hilltoppers bring a 4-2 mark into the mix. But this is one of those games T-V should, and very likely will, win.
Andy Sandrik: Tri-Valley 21, Nativity BVM 7: The Hilltoppers have grinded their way to being a competitive football team, but points will not come easy against T-V, which, if you take away a loss to Hamburg, has only given up seven points this year.
Adam Kulikowski: Tri-Valley 21, Nativity BVM 14: The Bulldogs got their swagger back on D last week, pitching their third shutout in five games. The stinginess should propel Jeff Sampson’s crew to a round of root beers Friday night.
Newport at James Buchanan, 7
Andy Shay: Newport 33, James Buchanan 28: Buffaloes have taken some lumps from quality programs and paid the price. This is a more level playing field, and it’s a clear 50-50 game in my book. Taking the Buffs for no particular reason other than they have been pushed so hard, this level of competition will be a welcome change.
Geoff Morrow: Newport 30, James Buchanan 8: Neither team played last weekend, but here’s the thing about Newport: Assuming this game is played and the Buffaloes win on the road, they’ll actually go into Week 8’s contest with Juniata with both teams unbeaten in the Liberty. Pretty remarkable considering their substantial struggles this year.
Andy Sandrik: Newport 44, James Buchanan 12: Does Newport have a bad record because of a brutal schedule, or because it’s a struggling football team? I think I know what the correct answer is here, but we’ll see how the Buffs fare against the Rockets first.
Adam Kulikowski: Newport 35, James Buchanan 14: The Buffaloes’ skid is currently four games yielding at least 42 points while scoring no more than 7. The Rockets have faced their own lumps during this circuit. But for a week, at least, one of these clubs should get some positive vibes going their way.
Northern York at Shippensburg, 7
Andy Shay: Shippensburg 28, Northern York 21: What you give the Greyhounds, they have the ability to take. They aren’t a shove-it-down-your-throat offense this season. And that will serve them very well in this tilt.
Geoff Morrow: Shippensburg 27, Northern York 16: Two things I’ve learned this season: 1. It’s not wise to pick against the Greyhounds, even if you have a dumb “feeling” that they might be due for a hiccup game; 2. If you say or write anything remotely negative about the Colonial front-runners, Ship superfan Jay Rotz appears like Candyman to haunt you.
Andy Sandrik: Northern York 29, Shippensburg 26 (OT): I just have a feeling we’re in for a barn-burner at Memorial Field this weekend. Every time I pick Northern to lose, the Polar Bears make me look like a fool, so we’ll see what they do when I take them in a big game.
Adam Kulikowski: Shippensburg 30, Northern York 28: If anyone is going to knock off the Greyhounds in the Colonial Division this year, it is the Polar Bears. So no shock if Bill Miller’s crew gets it down Friday night. Stopping that Chamberlin-to-Weller connection would be one tall feat.
Palmerton at Pine Grove, 7
Andy Shay: Palmerton 35, Pine Grove 7: The Bombers are on a four-game winning streak and have scored plenty of points in each of those games. PG has struggled and now gets a team on a roll. That’s a tough combo in my book.
Geoff Morrow: Palmerton 29, Pine Grove 15: Rare chance for us to write something about the Blue Bombers from Carbon County. And, hey, they’re pretty good and chasing their first winning season since 2017! Hasn’t been the most rugged slate, though, and the Cardinals have hung tough in all but one of their five losses. So this isn’t automatic.
Andy Sandrik: Palmerton 25, Pine Grove 21: If there’s any silver lining to Pine Grove’s 1-5 start, it’s that the Cards can take a punch without folding. I think this game could be closer than the records indicate.
Adam Kulikowski: Palmerton 28, Pine Grove 14: These are two teams trending in opposite directions. Give credit to the Cards, though; they continue to battle each week.
Palmyra at Hershey, 7
Andy Shay: Palmyra 27, Hershey 14: Cougars are the biggest surprise in the MPC this season, and it’s important for them at this point to win the games they are supposed to win. This is one of those, as the Trojans are winless.
Geoff Morrow: Palmyra 29, Hershey 20: Cougars are writing a playbook on how to take a young, inexperienced team, weather the early-season struggles, keep improving, and then start winning games most don’t expect you to win. Kudos to Chris Pope and crew. Why not keep it going?
Andy Sandrik: Palmyra 30, Hershey 7: After a slow start, Palmyra has won three of its last four. Maybe Hershey’s defense can slow down the Cougars a little bit, but I still don’t see the Trojans scoring enough points to come out with the win.
Adam Kulikowski: Palmyra 35, Hershey 14: Raise your hand if you saw the Cougars’ streak coming. Me neither. But that’s one of the best things about high school sports. Chris Pope’s crew keeps the good times rolling against Hershey.
State College at Cumberland Valley, 7
Andy Shay: State College 24, Cumberland Valley 21: Wow, this is the toughest pick on the board for me this week. I like where the Eagles are headed, but I also think State College brings a wee bit more offensively to the table.
Geoff Morrow: Cumberland Valley 28, State College 24: A loss here would be the Little Lions’ third straight, and they haven’t lost three in a row within a single season since Matt Lintal’s first year in 2014. But CV has been pretty darn tough this fall and, even with last week’s loss, is only getting tougher.
Andy Sandrik: Cumberland Valley 20, State College 13: I really like where the Eagles are at right now, especially defensively. They may or may not win, but I can almost guarantee the game will be within reach for the full 48 minutes.
Adam Kulikowski: Cumberland Valley 30, State College 28: With the status of quarterback Finn Furmanek uncertain and the Eagles trending up, CV scores its best victory of the season.
Steel-High at Trinity, 7
Andy Shay: Steel-High 42, Trinity 14: There is more to this game than two teams playing, but when Friday night at 7 o’clock rolls around, it will be all about the T-Rocks and Rollers on the field. Rollers showed some patience last week, and that will serve them well.
Geoff Morrow: Steel-High 37, Trinity 14: First-year Shamrocks coach Jordan Hill — and many of his assistants — have Roller blood running through their veins. So this could go many different ways. Trinity has been significantly better at home than on the road, but the state’s No. 1 Class A team has barely been tested this year. So if the hosts find a way to make noise early, an upset is possible. But my pick is based mostly on the Shamrocks showcasing the expected inconsistencies of starting over, and a championship-caliber team like Steel-High knowing how to take advantage of that.
Andy Sandrik: Steel-High 44, Trinity 10: This will be a fun reunion for all coaches involved, but I’m not sure it’s going to be all that close with the players on the field. Steel-High can, and should, win this game big.
Adam Kulikowski: Steel-High 45, Trinity 7: One team is battle-tested, the other is looking to build that experience. Right now, experience and a stocked cupboard make all the difference.
Upper Dauphin at Susquenita, 7
Andy Shay: Upper Dauphin 28, Susquenita 14: I like the fact the Trojans have shown the ability to play more balanced and complementary football on a more consistent basis. When it gets crazy, they have that to fall back on.
Geoff Morrow: Upper Dauphin 41, Susquenita 21: It’s been an impressive last month for the Trojans since a Week 2 setback to Liberty-leading Juniata. And I would bet dollars to doughnuts they’d LOVE another crack at the Indians. Also, I have no idea why “dollars to doughnuts” is a phrase I just used.
Andy Sandrik: Upper Dauphin 38, Susquenita 7: The Blackhawks’ defense has been a liability in recent weeks, while Upper Dauphin has been thumping teams over the same stretch. Not a good combination for a competitive game.
Adam Kulikowski: Upper Dauphin 35, Susquenita 21: Trojans are finding their stride after playing several weeks with a limited crew due to injuries and illness. Not sure we’ve seen the best of what UD can be yet, either.
Waynesboro at Susquehanna Township, 7
Andy Shay: Waynesboro 35, Susquehanna Township 7: Nice to have a struggling opponent on the schedule the week after a big rivalry game. Indians (Waynesboro variety) are still hunting in the “Crazy Colonial” but also should have an eye on the bigger picture — playoffs. Win the games you should, right? The rest takes care of itself.
Geoff Morrow: Waynesboro 27, Susquehanna Township 20: I still think the ‘Hanna is a dangerous squad over this second half. Joe Headen’s crew has nothing to lose, the young talent continues to get useful reps, and this isn’t a program used to losing. Not necessarily ready to dial up the upset pick, but I do think foes need to be wary.
Andy Sandrik: Waynesboro 24, Susquehanna Township 13: After giving up a touchdown per minute over the first half of the season, the Township defense seems to have finally settled down in recent weeks. Getting that first win, though, is going to be difficult against a Waynesboro side that comes in as a clear road favorite.
Adam Kulikowski: Waynesboro 38, Susquehanna Township 20: Township provided a bit of a scare to East Pennsboro last week before fading. For a young group of lads, that’s a meaningful building block. Waynesboro, however, provides a more balanced attack.
Saturday
CD East at Harrisburg, 1
Andy Shay: Harrisburg 20, CD East 14: This one has everybody’s attention for all the right reasons. This game will be played in a sandbox for the most part. So limiting mistakes and taking full advantage of opportunities will be critical. Enjoy this one!
Geoff Morrow: Harrisburg 22, CD East 21: I was SO CLOSE to picking East High to post its first victory over the Cougars since 2015, but, in the end, I was unable to convince myself it’ll happen on a Saturday afternoon at Severance, where the Cougars haven’t lost since a 15-14 decision vs. CD in 2019. I fully expect magical moments from both teams.
Andy Sandrik: CD East 24, Harrisburg 13: The No. 1 thing you need to spring an upset in a hard road game is a strong defense. CD East, which hasn’t allowed an opponent to score multiple touchdowns since Week 2, has just that.
Adam Kulikowski: CD East 28, Harrisburg 21: Save a Lincoln for your entry into this stellar matchup on Saturday. Injuries have the Cougars shuffling a bit on offense — but Kyle Williams is healthy and ready to carry a load. Panthers have a few more weapons available and a defense that is capable of shutting down the run.
Camp Hill at Middletown, 7
Andy Shay: Middletown 21, Camp Hill 14: Blue Raiders have been the more consistent of the two squads defensively this season, and that’s my difference-maker in this one. Lions could present some problems, though.
Geoff Morrow: Middletown 23, Camp Hill 13: Honestly, even though they’ve lost two in a row to division-leading programs, the Blue Raiders’ defense has been solid all year. When that offense catches up, this is a pretty darn good team.
Andy Sandrik: Middletown 28, Camp Hill 7: This very well might be Camp Hill’s best shot to take its first win in the series since 2014, but I just don’t see it happening.
Adam Kulikowski: Middletown 34, Camp Hill 14: To me, the edge is in the Blue Raiders’ defense. It has the chops to slow the Lions’ aerial attack enough to give the offense plenty of opportunities to get on track.
Line Mountain vs. Executive Education Academy, at Muhlenberg College, 7
Andy Shay: Executive Education Academy 34, Line Mountain 7: You never know what’s going to happen in these last-minute COVID-19 drop-in games. The lads from Herndon have struggled mightily to stay competitive, and that is a fact that will be a factor in this one as well.
Geoff Morrow: Executive Education Academy 32, Line Mountain 8: The Raptors’ schedule reads like a random collection of schools, including Berks Catholic, Interboro and Shikellamy. This week they were supposed to host a team from Canada, but COVID-19 restrictions meant the Ontario-based team couldn’t cross the border. So, they’ll instead battle the Eagles, whose schedule opened up last minute when Halifax had to cancel. Enjoy!
Andy Sandrik: Executive Education Academy 28, Line Mountain 14: I was thinking about picking Line Mountain, but I don’t want to risk one of these Executive Education kids growing up to become my boss and firing me.
Adam Kulikowski: Executive Education Academy 35, Line Mountain 7: Finding a spark has been a struggle for the boys from Herndon all season. Swapping in the charter school from Allentown for Halifax, which bowed out due to COVID issues, didn’t make the task any easier.
Williams Valley at Marian Catholic, 7
Andy Shay: Williams Valley 35, Marian Catholic 0: Vikings should cruise to 6-1 with little or no problem. Marian Catholic has scored only three touchdowns all season and hasn’t tasted victory yet in 2021.
Geoff Morrow: Williams Valley 44, Marian Catholic 0: Of the four “Valley” schools Marian plays during this current five-week stretch, the best — and realistically ONLY — chance to win is in two weeks at fellow winless team Panther Valley. Vikings roll in this one.
Andy Sandrik: Williams Valley 52, Marion Catholic 7: I’m not sure if this is the spot where Marian Catholic snaps its 11-game losing streak.
Adam Kulikowski: Williams Valley 45, Marian Catholic 7: The Vikings appear to be hitting their stride after battling a rash of injuries earlier in the season, while Marian Catholic has struggled to put points on the board.
CANCELED: Line Mountain at Halifax.POSTPONED: None.
Timothy Bonin finally had his breakout game five contests into his first full year as the starter.
The junior Northern quarterback is this week’s 4th Down Magazine Big School Player of the Week following a career performance that led the 4-1 Polar Bears to a quality 31-14 win over West Perry.
Bonin had career best numbers in multiple areas, throwing for a new high of 201 yards (nearly double his 111 from Week 1) and three touchdowns. His 55-yard long pass his a career best, and his 64.3% completion percentage (9 of 14) was second best, while his completions tied a career high.
One of his top targets, Mason Yohn, deserves a hat tip as well for catching touchdowns of 34 and 55 yards. Yohn now has five touchdown grabs on six receptions, an incredible conversion rate.
For the season, Bonin is 39 of 67 for 589 yards and eight touchdowns against a single interception. He’s also ran for 105 yards and two TDs on 42 totes.
Bonin snagged 781 of 1,965 votes this week (40%). In second was Mifflin County junior receiver/defensive back Isaac Wilson with 555 votes.
The Polar Bears have arguably their most important game of the regular season this week with Shippensburg.
