Rematch No. 1: Expect little Hegins hospitality

While it’s been some two months since Tri-Valley hammered out a 21-0 decision at Mahanoy Area, expect even more hard-hitting action later this weekend when Jeff Sampson’s surging Bulldogs (8-1) host the Golden Bears (4-6) in the opening round of the District 11 Class 1A playoffs.

So, let’s start with that Week 2 scrap, when quarterback Jonas McGrath spent much of the night throwing to wideout Layne Yoder. McGrath’s numbers weren’t spectacular (8-of-15 for 99 yards and 2 touchdowns while getting picked off once), but they were just what a ground-happy Tri-Valley attack needed that night. Yoder collected both touchdown receptions, adding more pop to a line that ended with seven catches for 90 yards. Sampson’s Bulldogs netted only 132 rushing yards, but Jake Scheib banked 46 yards on 13 attempts and Reece Huntzinger checked in with nine rushes for 43 yards and one score. Scheib fueled a dominant Bulldogs defense with 15 tackles, but he also registered 2.5 of Tri-Valley’s seven sacks.

Fellow D-lineman Cam Carlin was credited with nine stops and 1.5 sacks, while Levi Murray and Huntzinger combined for another 16 tackles. Murray factored into last weekend’s 14-0 whitewash of Williams Valley, as his 79-yard romp with the opening kickoff staked the visiting Bulldogs to a 7-0 lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Kameron Wetzel added another first-half score for Tri-Valley, which locked up the Colonial-Schuylkill Blue title while running its winning streak to five games. No. 6 and a berth in the 1A final may be just hours away for the fine folks from Schuylkill County’s West End.

2. Rematch No. 2: Angry group gathers along Gary Collins Way

Undoubtedly still miffed following last weekend’s 14-0 blanking, Williams Valley (7-2) likely will be anxious to take out its collective frustration on a Nativity BVM squad (5-5) the Vikings dusted in Week 9 … in Saint Clair. Difference is Tim Savage’s club will be playing at home, and the even-bigger difference is the second-seeded Vikes are facing an all-or-nothing situation in the District 11 Class 1A semifinals.

Win and Williams Valley is into next weekend’s title game at North Schuylkill, but lose and a promising campaign comes to an abrupt end. Although Pat Mason’s Green Wave led 8-0 in the earlier engagement, Savage’s Vikes responded nicely as Alex Achenbach rushed 22 times for 187 yards and four touchdowns. That’s right, four touchdowns. Gage Miller also returned a Nativity fumble 50 yards for Williams Valley’s other score.

The Vikes also dominated defensively as lineman Ezi Hite was credited with 16 tackles, three for loss and one sack. Inside linebacker Jackson Yoder added 12 stops, while Hunter Wolfgang came off the edge to rack up 10 tackles. Williams Valley also forced five turnovers, including a pair of picks by Achenbach. So, even though Savage’s Vikes missed out on the Colonial-Schuylkill Blue title, an D11 crown and a berth in the PIAA’s Class 1A tournament are still possibilities.

Upper Dauphin to face aerial assault

When Upper Dauphin athletic director Jody Godsey quickly jumped at the chance to play pass-happy Executive Education a few weeks ago after Halifax was unable to play, it was a potential collision with a Columbia squad that likes to air it out that Godseyand UDA had in mind.

Kent Smeltz’s Trojans (8-1) enter their road tilt in the District 3 Class 2A semifinals riding a seven-game winning streak, and Columbia (8-1) will counter with its own seven-game run. Robert Footman makes Bud Kyle’s Crimson Tide go, as he’s completed 152 of his 252 pass attempts for a little more than 2,500 yards and 29 touchdowns … against nine picks. Footman will spread it around, as Dominic Diaz-Ellis (40 receptions, 793 yards and 10 TDs), J’von Collazo (33-602, 7 TDs) and Artie Poindexter (37-426, 5 TDs) have each caught 30-plus throws. Footman, however, also will throw to Jayden Boone (20-386, 4 TDs) and Demari Simms (16-265, 3 TDs).

While UDA brought numbers and plenty of heat against Executive Education, Footman (106 carries, 440 yards and 14 TDs) will bring it down and go. Another threat is Steven Rivas (67-469, 7 TDs), who last weekend ran nine times for 156 yards and three touchdowns in a romp over Pequea Valley. Whether Columbia can stop or even slow down the Trojans’ multi-pronged ground attack that has bodies moving in every direction remains to be seen. UDA will go at the Tide with backs Christian Snyder, Brady Morgan, Alex Hepler, Aiden Wiest and QB Wil Laskowski. While Morgan returned to action in last weekend’s 48-14 thumping of Newport, Laskowski completed all 10 of his pass attempts for 258 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran five times for 42 yards and another TD. So, if the track atop the hill in Columbia is favorable, take the over.

Susquenita to visit dangerous York Catholic

Although Susquenita (5-4) would prefer to forget last weekend’s 52-20 loss to Mid-Penn Liberty Division champion Juniata, the Blackhawks are back in the postseason mix for the first time in quite a while. Awaiting Augie Glass’s club in the District 3 Class 2A semis is top-seeded York Catholic (9-0), which tumbled to Camp Hill in last season’s 2A title game. Eric Depew’s Fighting Irish eased past York County Tech last weekend, but the YAIAA Division III champions plan to turn dual-threat QB Levan McFadden loose on Susquenita.

McFadden has rushed for 532 yards on 88 attempts and scored 11 times, but he’s also thrown for 576 yards and eight TDs while completing 31 of his 67 pass attempts. Andrew Adams also will play a large role offensively, as he’s gained 1,007 yards on 164 totes and scored nine TDs. Quinn Brennan has hauled in 13 throws for 334 yards and four touchdowns, while Daniel Sterling has seven receptions for 139 yards yet hasn’t found the end zone. Watch out for undersized middle linebacker Nick Creisher, who averages nearly 11 stops per game. Susquenita’s running game was stifled last weekend by Juniata (minus-2 rush yards), but sophomore QB Derek Gibney threw for 172 yards and two touchdowns — both to his twin brother, Drew (5-92). Derek Gibney also rushed for a late TD. If the ‘Hawks can flush last weekend’s setback — Glass’s bunch trailed 45-0 at halftime — they might be able to match whatever York Catholic brings. If not, look out.

Juniata aiming to hoist second straight D6 crown

Even though Juniata’s stingy defense finally allowed some points last weekend after pitching three consecutive shutouts, Kurt Condo’s Indians (8-2) already were sitting on a 52-0 lead at Susquenita when the Blackhawks scored three times. Regardless of what happened in the final 19 minutes of that Week 10 affair, Juniata bounced off with the Mid-Penn Liberty Division championship. The Juniata secret was simple: A  powerful rushing attack and an equally effective run defense. While the Indians wound up with nearly 350 rushing yards, nearly 320 of those came before halftime as Condo’s group motored to a 45-0 lead. Zachary Harr (11-138), Seth Laub (11-129, 1 TD) and Waylon Ehrenzeller (11-84, 1 TD) combined for 351 rushing yards and five touchdowns as Juniata’s ground game punished the host Blackhawks. As for the Juniata defense, that unit limited Susquenita to minus-2 rushing yards and forced a pair of fumbles.

Next up for Juniata is a return to the District 6 Class 4A title game at Altoona’s Mansion Park, where the Indians will square off against Bellefonte (2-7). Juniata prevailed in last year’s final, claiming its first district title with a 24-21 victory. This year’s Bellefonte bunch averages a little less than 160 offensive yards per outing, which suggests the Juniata D could find conditions favorable for a repeat. Nolan Weaver has rushed for 317 yards and two touchdowns on 60 carries to lead the Raiders, but he’s also caught 11 passes for 56 yards. Whichever side prevails will get either DuBois or Pittsburgh’s University Prep in next weekend’s regional final.

Believe it or not, Line Mountain is back

On the outside looking in as the regular season splashed to a close, Line Mountain (2-7) already was planning to finish up against Panther Valley until the Eagles learned they were No. 8 in District 4’s Class 2A power rankings. So, instead of making a lengthy trip to Panther Valley, Brandon Carson’s club will carry its two-game winning streak to suburban Elysburg for a scrap with perennial hammer Southern Columbia (9-1). While Carson’s group downed James Buchanan 41-13 last Friday behind 167 yards and three touchdowns from diminutive feature back Nolan Baumert, the Eagles also registered 26 tackles for loss against the Rockets with Brayden Boyer bagging six.

Explains why JB was held to minus-38 offensive yards. One night later, Jim Roth’s Tigers spotted Danville an early field goal before roaring back for a 55-3 triumph — despite the dense fog that rolled into Montour County. Kent State recruit Gavin Garcia carried the ball just seven times for 209 yards, but he scored on runs of 52, 62 and 62 yards. Garcia has wheeled for nearly 1,500 yards and 23 scores, but he’s also returned a handful of kickoffs and punts for TDs. Actually, the Tigers have home run threats all over the place in Garcia, Wes Barnes (75-525, 8 TDs) and Braeden Wisloski (33-377, 3 TDs). Then, there’s rangy wideout Jake Rose (19 catches, 366 yards, 5 TDs), the outstanding track athlete at last spring’s PIAA Class 2A championships.

Line Mountain was Southern’s first postseason victim last season, falling 49-7 to a Tigers squad that won its sixth straight D4 Class 2A title and eventually claimed its fourth consecutive PIAA Class 2A crown. Told you the Tigers were perennial hammers.

Here are three District 3 playoff matchups that feature games where the lower seed could possibly post a victory over a higher seed.

CLASS 2A

No. 3 Upper Dauphin (8-1) at No. 2 Columbia (8-1): This game might have some points scored. It would be a surprise otherwise. Columbia has a stud senior quarterback in Robert Footman. He powers an offense that averages nearly 45 points a game by throwing for almost 300 yards per outing. The Tigers throw it on average about 30 times a game.

He’s tossed 29 touchdowns already and also averages 5.8 yards per carry when he runs the rock. I still think Columbia is the favorite in this game, but Upper Dauphin will hunt. Their ground-focused offense is diverse and comes at you in waves, powered by Brady Morgan and Christian Snyder. The Trojans will throw it with more impact than you might think with Wil Laskowski. The Tigers are a solid favorite here, but if UDA doesn’t have a say in the outcome it would be surprising.

CLASS 3A

No. 5 Middletown (5-4) at No. 4 West Perry (5-5): OK, so this one is like the adult who knicks Halloween candy from the kids. Technically West Perry is the higher seed, but the Blue Raiders are the clear favorite here. The Capital Division has provided a more complete test for Middletown and the Blue Raiders come into this one winning three of its last four with a pair of shutouts including a 7-0 win over playoff-bound Class 4A squad Big Spring.

The Mustangs have over performed and overachieved all season. There’s a LOT to be said for that. But in this matchup, the Blue Raiders are playing their best football of the season and have more pieces fitting into place to make it difficult for the Mustangs. The upset here is West Perry winning. 

CLASS 4A No. 10 Big Spring (7-3) vs. No. 7 Conrad Weiser (7-3): Despite losing to Middletown 7-0 in the slop of last Friday night to close out Week 10, I’m still bullish on the Bulldogs. Big Spring is making only its second ever appearance in the District 3 playoffs and won’t be hanging their heads over that Week 10 loss. They surrendered only one touchdown, and their offense was handicapped by the elements.

Big Spring runs the rock and opens up a defense by taking deep shots with QB Ethan Eisenberg using his strong arm to connect on more of those shots than he misses. A driving sideways rain takes that off the table. Shows the value of the diversity of this offense, though. Physically the Bulldogs are ready for this challenge, and the Scouts will be a full-metal-jacket test for sure. I’m not all that keen on the schedule Weiser has played, and they will give up some points.

But they are a proven tough out. Big Spring better bring its track shoes and work on pass coverage this week because Scouts QB Logan Klitsch, a junior, is a 2,000-yard passer who boasts a completion percentage north of 66%. Half of his targets go to Aanjay Feliciano, a 1,000-yard receiver, but there is some depth to their wideouts that could make it very sticky for the Big Spring secondary. I love this matchup. I think it’s one of the best games on the slate to kick off the second season.

Five-star performance

Forrest Rhyne has been on a tear over the last month.

After recording 24 tackles in all of September for the 6-2 Villanova Wildcats, Rhyne, a former Waynesboro linebacker, has nearly matched that total in two different games in October.

Rhyne had another monster performance in a 31-18 loss to William & Mary on Saturday, recording 19 tackles and a quarterback hit at home. It’s his third double-digit tackling performance this season, falling one short of his career high of 20 set Oct. 9. He finished the month with 58 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack. 

The Wildcats went 3-1 during that stretch with wins over No. 3 James Madison, Albany and Rhode Island.

In on the action

Former Camp Hill tight end Zack Kuntz caught eight passes for 67 yards and a 5-yard TD, helping the Monarchs to a second win that snapped a five-game win streak by beating Louisiana Tech 23-20.

Looking back a week, Harrisburg grad Donte Kent had eight tackles in Central Michigan’s 39-38 loss to NIU. The Chippewas were off this weekend.

Western Carolina has won two straight, and Ronald Kent Jr. (Harrisburg) has five tackles between them, including two Saturday in a 41-21 win over Wofford.

Cody Gustafson (Shippensburg High) returned from Grove City College’s bye week and produced 13 catches for 131 yards, his fifth straight 100-yard performance and seventh of the season to put him above 1,000 for the season. Grove City lost for just the second time this year 28-24 to Washington & Jefferson.

Pete Haffner (State College) had five tackles, half a tackle for loss and half a sack in Lehigh’s 31-12 loss to Holy Cross.

Another former Little Lion had a tackle in Penn State’s 33-24 loss to No. 5 Ohio State.

Austin Peay’s Damion Barber (Harrisburg) had two tackles and half a tackle for loss in a 13-12 loss to No. 12 University of Tennessee-Martin.

Christian Arrington (Cumberland Valley) had a tackle in Rhode Island’s third straight loss, this one 45-24 to Maine.

PSAC performances

In this week’s Shippensburg Red Raiders installation: Evan Morrill (Lower Dauphin) caught six passes for 61 yards in a 24-23 victory over East Stroudsburg to move to 7-2. Bill Williams (Camp Hill) had 15 carries for 22 yards and a 17-yard reception. Middletown grad Laron Woody had 11 tackles (one TFL) and half a sack from his defensive tackle spot. Woody had six tackles (2.5 TFLs) and 1.5 sacks a week ago in a win over Millersville.

Yahmir Wilkerson (Harrisburg) had a 39-yard touchdown run on his only carry in West Chester’s 35-13 win over Lock Haven. 

Timmy Smith (Central Dauphin) had a 1-yard TD on his only carry, and Jaheim Morris (Cedar Cliff) ran 13 times for 28 yards in Millersville’s 30-7 loss to No. 21 Kutztown, its fourth straight loss.