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

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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.

Elite 11: Our top 11 teams after Week 7

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Elite 11: Our top 11 teams after Week 7

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-High6-011
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 Cliff5-210
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. Wyomissing7-010
Beat goes on for the Spartans with their first 50-plus point offensive game of the season.
8.Shippensburg7-0NR
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 Township4-38
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 Dauphin4-17
Needed a 39-yard field goal on the final play to subdue Carlisle and avoid overtime. Thundering Herd provided a full test.
5. CD East5-25
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 McDevitt5-14
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. Harrisburg6-13
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 York6-02
The Panthers faced fellow YAIAA unbeaten Spring Grove, won by 31 points and scored 48. Offense is a difference maker.
1. Governor Mifflin6-01
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.

District 3 High School Football Power Rankings after Week 7

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District 3 High School Football Power Rankings after Week 7

Class 6A:

The top 8 teams will advance to the District 3 Class 6A playoffs.

​​

1Central York

7-0 0.817841
2Harrisburg6-1 0.803768
3Central Dauphin4-1 0.775811
4William Penn5-10.767873
5CD East5-20.757216
6Manheim Twp. 5-20.750123
7Dallastown5-20.704000
8Hempfield4-30.695190
9Wilson4-30.668135
10Carlisle4-30.654922
11Cumberland Valley3-40.646720
12Penn Manor4-30.619964
13Cedar Crest3-30.586016
14Chambersburg2-50.500531
15J.P. McCaskey2-50.466082
16Reading1-40.378977
17York County School of Tech.1-60.287036

Class 5A:

The top 14 teams will advance to the District 3 Class 5A playoffs.

1.Governor Mifflin5-00.848665
2. Shippensburg7-00.762956
3. Manheim Central6-10.735241
4. Spring Grove5-10.730218
5. South Western5-20.696692
6. Waynesboro5-20.676890
7.Warwick4-30.669177
8. Cedar Cliff5-20.635060
9. New Oxford5-20.632780
10. Ephrata5-20.631837
11. Exeter Twp.4-30.628342
12. Daniel Boone4-30.617546
13. Mechanicsburg4-30.607125
14. Twin Valley4-30.598892
15. Fleetwood4-30.589146
16. Gettysburg4-30.564486
17. Elizabethtown3-40.547815
18. Conestoga Valley3-40.546807
19. Palmyra4-30.537643
20. Lower Dauphin3-30.517033
21. Solanco2-50.474696
22. Red Land2-50.420034
23. Red Lion2-50.414110
24. Dover1-60.399937
25. Northeastern1-60.399180
26. York Suburban1-50.370083
27. Muhlenberg0-70.312671
28. Hershey0-70.283382
29. Lebanon0-70.255944

Class 4A:

The top 10 teams will advance to the District 3 Class 4A playoffs.

1.Berks Catholic5-1 0.758983
2. Lampeter Strasburg6-1 0.705625
3. Bishop McDevitt5-1 0.694208
4. Cocalico4-3 0.653285
5. Conrad Weiser5-20.650303
6. Northern York4-20.642042
7. Kennard Dale6-10.640483
8. Big Spring5-20.636656
9.Donegal4-20.599004
10. East Pennsboro4-30.585092
11. Octorara5-20.571771
12. Greencastle-Antrim3-40.516038
13. Susquehannock4-30.494717
14. Milton Hershey3-4 0.483069
15. Eastern Lebanon County2-40.447173
16.Garden Spot2-40.441544
17.Kutztown2-50.395696
18. Eastern York1-60.315958
19. James Buchanan1-40.300541
20.West York0-70.254043

Class 3A:

The top 8 teams will advance to the District 3 Class 3A playoffs.

1.Wyomissing7-00.822639
2.Boiling Springs6-10.682379
3. Hamburg5-20.613801
4.West Perry4-30.590004
5. Middletown3-30.500762
6. Annville-Cleona3-30.494231
7. Lancaster Catholic3-40.479446
8. Schuylkill Valley2-50.462083
9. Northern Lebanon3-40.442710
10. Hanover2-40.384649
11. Bermudian Springs2-50.368839
12. Littlestown1-50.323267
13. Susquehanna Twp.0-70.313871
14. Pequea Valley1-50.269968
15.Biglerville0-60.213541

Class 2A:

The top 4 teams will advance to the District 3 Class 2A playoffs.

1.York Catholic6-00.684185
2. Columbia5-10.648876
3. Upper Dauphin5-10.608607
4. Trinity3-30.473814
5. Susquenita3-30.446592
6. Camp Hill3-40.443294
7. Newport2-50.344261

Class 1A:

The top 2 teams will advance to the District 3 Class 1A playoffs.

1. Steel-High6-00.787705
2. Fairfield4-20.490964
3. Delone Catholic4-30.475140
4. Halifax1-50.261188

Vote now: 4th Down Magazine Players of the Week sponsored by Crown Trophy of Harrisburg

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Vote now: 4th Down Magazine Players of the Week sponsored by Crown Trophy of Harrisburg

Big School 6A-4A:

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.

This poll has ended (since 3 years).
Aiden Mencia, sr., RB, Waynesboro
44.23%
Justin Cook, sr., WR/DB, Harrisburg
41.35%
Anthony Smith, sr., DE/TE, Shippensburg
5.23%
Stone Saunders, fr., QB, Bishop McDevitt
4.16%
Isaac Sines, jr., QB/K, Cumberland Valley
1.48%
Ahren Stauffer, sr., K, Central Dauphin
1.19%
Parker Lawler, so., RB/DB, Red Land
1.19%
Roman Jensen, so., QB, Red Land
1.15%

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 poll has ended (since 3 years).
Brady Evans, jr., WR, Williams Valley
39.08%
Wil Laskowski, sr., QB, Upper Dauphin
27.69%
Isaac Whiteash, jr., QB, Williams Valley
7.13%
Aiden Dishman, jr., RB, Newport
7.00%
Kameron Wetzel, jr., RB, Tri-Valley
6.84%
Jake Scheib, jr., RB/DL, Tri-Valley
5.86%
Joey Menke, sr., RB/LB, Boiling Springs
5.06%
Taeyon Bratton, sr., RB, Steel-High
1.34%

Sunday Morning QB: McDevitt rolls past Cedar Cliff; Boiling Springs proves it is a legit Capital Division title contender; Palmyra stays hot and more

Andy Shay
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Sunday Morning QB: McDevitt rolls past Cedar Cliff; Boiling Springs proves it is a legit Capital Division title contender; Palmyra stays hot and more

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 recap and Making The Grade from 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.

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