RECORDS (Week 6 — Overall — Perfect Picks):

Andy Shay: 19-1 — 113-32 — 0

Andy Sandrik: 19-1 — 105-40 — 0

Geoff Morrow: 17-3 — 102-43 — 3

Adam Kulikowski: 17-3 — 97-48 — 1

Thursday

Lower Dauphin at Milton Hershey, 7

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…

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.

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.

Colonial will take shape this week

It is go time for the top end of the Crazy Colonial Division to become a more crystal clear picture. Undefeated Shippensburg will welcome one-loss Northern to the border of Cumberland and Franklin counties. Neither has lost a Crazy Colonial contest, so first place is on the table. The Polar Bears have allowed 28 or more points twice in five games.

Only one team, Dover, has managed three scores against the Greyhounds. See where this is going? Defense will tell the story of this game. Shippensburg has been surgeon-like all season. Don’t expect that to change. Northern has to produce a special effort to make this a nail-biter in the fourth quarter.

Two tossups on tap

Two other contests are make-or-break games in my book. The winners still have that glimmer of hope and can chase down bigger prizes, while the losers have significantly less on the table to play for going forward. Those games are East Pennsboro at West Perry and Mechanicsburg at Greencastle-Antrim. It’s the Crazy Colonial, so I list both contests as “box of chocolates” games because who knows what is going to happen.

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.

Big game at Bulldog Stadium

When was the last time Newville played host to a game of this magnitude? Big Spring will put its 5-1 record on the line against Cumberland County neighbor Boiling Springs, also a team that owns a 5-1 record. The Bulldogs and Bubblers are each 1-0 in the Capital. This has been a growing rivalry, which recently adopted the moniker Battle of the Springs.

It’s a titanic game on the division front and when it comes to the District 3 playoffs. Boiling Springs is big and physical, but something tells me the Bulldogs won’t be overpowered in this one. Could be a shootout where it takes 35-40 points to win. There’s also the real potential for this to be a defensive tussle. It’s the most intriguing game on the Week 7 schedule in terms of how it might play out.

Hill and staff return home

Steel-High is unbeaten and rolling along. Trinity is coming off its worst licking of the season and is putting the pieces back together. Why is this game so interesting? Only that the head coach and half his staff are former Rollers who wrote their own history.

Led by first-year head coach Jordan Hill, they’re at Trinity, but Steel-High is their school and always will be. That doesn’t mean this game isn’t a little personal, though. Football-wise, it’s hard to see how the Rollers don’t win, though.

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.

For all the marbles

The 2021 Keystone Division champion will be decided Friday night at The Roc when Cedar Cliff pays a visit to Bishop McDevitt. The pair of one-loss teams are each 3-0 in the division, and it’s been pretty clear for weeks this matchup will be for all the marbles. For all of the fireworks the Crusaders bring to the table offensively, the guts of this game, for me, will come down to how much hay the Colts offense can make against the McD defense. I think by halftime the answer will be fully known. McDevitt is still a heavy favorite, though.

Surprising Palmyra with another big opportunity

Palmyra needs to keep its foot on the gas. The Cougars have created a real opportunity to make this season something special with three wins in their last four games. Winless Hershey is on deck, and this one falls under the win-the-game-you-should category. It would move Palmyra to 4-3 and set the table for a potential six- or maybe even seven-win regular season. They are the biggest surprise in 2021.

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.

Commonwealth Division

A week of big games

This is marquee matchup week in the Commonwealth. And it’s not just about one game, either. I see two games on the slate that fit the bill for me as elite games. The headliner, obviously, is CD East paying a visit to Severance Field to face Harrisburg. Combined, the Panthers and Cougars are 10-2 overall with a non-conference loss. Neither has lost in the division, so there’s that underlying factor, as well.

What strikes me more than anything is how similar these two clubs are in 2021. They don’t boast run-it-up-on-the-scoreboard offenses, but they have enough zip and bite to make it difficult to defend. They are physical up front and defense has been a staple all season. Points will be very hard to come by.

Don’t sleep on the Central Dauphin at Carlisle game. This one has the potential to be sneaky good. The Rams are the favorite and are playing their best football of the season. Carlisle has learned a lot about what they can do and who they are the last three weeks.

Eagles getting their wings

There’s a very good argument to be made that Cumberland Valley played its best game of the season last week and lost to CD East. The Eagles are finding their way, and to have any shot at finishing .500 or better in order to take that next step forward CV needs to take out State College at home.

This won’t be an easy task, but it feels like the Eagles are in a good spot for this matchup. They still have Harrisburg and Central Dauphin left on their schedule, so this one is a must-have.

RECORDS (Week 6 — Overall — Perfect Picks):

Andy Shay: 19-1 — 113-32 — 0

Andy Sandrik: 19-1 — 105-40 — 0

Geoff Morrow: 17-3 — 102-43 — 3

Adam Kulikowski: 17-3 — 97-48 — 1

Friday

Big Spring 42, Camp Hill 7

Andy Shay: Big Spring 38, Camp Hill 14: The Bulldogs have evolved into a handful offensively and are feeling very confident in the direction they are headed. Lions just don’t have enough pieces to keep pace.

Geoff Morrow: Big Spring 50, Camp Hill 22: The Lions won by two touchdowns in last year’s meeting, but the Bulldogs are lining up 60-somethings like a 4:30 p.m. dinner buffet. Plus Big Spring is about to enter a hellish three-week stretch, so a solid result is mandatory here.

Andy Sandrik: Big Spring 44, Camp Hill 21: Points have been remarkably easy to come by for the Bulldogs, who have put up 60 in three straight games. That trend ends this week, but Big Spring still returns to Newville with its fourth straight win.

Adam Kulikowski: Big Spring 45, Camp Hill 24: Hey, it isn’t a 60-spot, but the Bulldogs’ offense is going to eat well again Friday night.

Bishop McDevitt 66, Lower Dauphin 7

Andy Shay: Bishop McDevitt 49, Lower Dauphin 7: The Falcons have moved the needle forward lately, but this is a different type of ask. Crusaders are averaging more than 10 yards per play this season.

Geoff Morrow: Bishop McDevitt 46, Lower Dauphin 6: Since 2008, the Crusaders have simply dominated the Falcons, winning all 13 meetings, including the last five by an average score of 45-13. Meanwhile, since a Week 1 humbling by powerhouse La Salle College, McD has outscored three foes 193-14.

Andy Sandrik: Bishop McDevitt 44, Lower Dauphin 7: Coach Borelli at LD has done a great job of bringing the best out of his team while also disguising weaknesses. It’s going to be a tough game for the Falcons this week, but that has more to do with their high-powered opponent.

Adam Kulikowski: Bishop McDevitt 37, Lower Dauphin 7: Bishop McDevitt’s Stone Saunders has a QB rating of 138.8 — as a freshman with 13 TDs and a goose egg in the INT column. Yep, he’s going to be pretty good.

Central Dauphin 42, State College 21

Andy Shay: Central Dauphin 31, State College 17: Nice to see the Rams’ offense come off the COVID-19 list and show more purpose and pop than it has all season. That might be a warning shot, too. Little Lions will need to show more firepower offensively than a week ago to keep up.

Geoff Morrow: Central Dauphin 38, State College 17: Rams have actually dominated the last two meetings, and I have no reason to believe the Little Lions can change that pattern, even at home. Noteworthy: With a loss here, State High is essentially out of the Commonwealth race, which is a rarity for the Lions this early in a season.

Andy Sandrik: Central Dauphin 44, State College 13: We were a little concerned about the Rams after two weeks away from football, but it turns out they were just well off enough to put up a 50-spot against Chambersburg. Road trips to SC are always hard, but I think CD is up for the challenge.

Adam Kulikowski: Central Dauphin 34, State College 21: Coach Mac and the Rams sure made the most of their mid-season COVID-forced hiatus, unleashing Max Mosey to drop 50 on Chambersburg. Tougher test on tap this week against State College.

Carlisle 34, Chambersburg 7

Andy Shay: Carlisle 34, Chambersburg 29: I don’t think that three-game winning streak to start the season was a mirage for the Thundering Herd. This game is a tight squeeze all the way, but points will be had.

Geoff Morrow: Carlisle 33, Chambersburg 20: Both teams have lost to Commonwealth royalty over the previous two weeks, so this is a chance for each to regroup and get back on the winning track. I just feel the Herd are a bit stronger this season. 

Andy Sandrik: Carlisle 36, Chambersburg 27: The Thundering Herd still have a chance to make this a memorable season, but snapping a two-game losing streak against Chambersburg is never an easy ask in this rivalry.

Adam Kulikowski: Chambersburg 28, Carlisle 27: Forcing Carlisle to rely on its aerial attack should be the focal point of the Trojans’ game plan — anything to get the ball out of the hand of the dynamic Ezeekai Thomas.

CD East 17, Cumberland Valley 10

Andy Shay: CD East 27, Cumberland Valley 13: The Panthers’ defense eliminates the run game and forces offenses to be one dimensional. Eagles are more balanced, but there will be a lot on the QB’s plate in this one. CD East has been extremely balanced overall, and that’s a big key here.

Geoff Morrow: CD East 33, Cumberland Valley 14: Shout-out to Panthers assistant Jameel Poteat, who at this time last year was helping my wife and I finalize our house-buying process while simultaneously struggling through a winless CD East campaign, including a gut-wrenching 7-6 loss to CV. Poteat is one of those dudes who works hard at everything and hates to lose, and I know this season feels good to him and all the deserving Panthers. I think East gets its first win vs. CV since 2014, and I don’t think it’s particularly close, so long as Harrisburg on the horizon isn’t distracting.

Andy Sandrik: CD East 13, Cumberland Valley 7: Both teams have been trending up for weeks, but someone finally has to lose this Friday. I’m still not sure which way this one goes, but I have a good feeling about taking the under.

Adam Kulikowski: CD East  21, Cumberland Valley 14: This is shaping up to be one of those storybook years for the Panthers and first-year head coach Lance Deane. Good vibes keep rolling in Week 6. And for folks curious about the Eagles donning their black pants last week against Altoona — a kit traditionally held for playoff bouts — Coach Oz confirmed that it was in tribute to Tim Rimpfel.

Waynesboro 28, Greencastle-Antrim 14

Andy Shay: Waynesboro 28, Greencastle-Antrim 24: I thought about this one for a long, long time. I believe the Blue Devils can win this game. It’s a toss-up in my book. Going to give the Indians the respect they’ve earned. G-A has to win one of these games, right?

Geoff Morrow: Waynesboro 28, Greencastle-Antrim 14: Though I wasn’t surprised to learn Franklin County is named after Ben Franklin — I was kinda hoping it was Aretha Franklin — I absolutely WAS surprised to learn the county was previously part of Lancaster, York and Cumberland counties before earning its own distinction in the late 1700s, back when former 4th Down picker Jeff Dewees was editor of the Chambersburg Daily.

Andy Sandrik: Waynesboro 33, Greencastle-Antrim 22: The Indians were flat in a high-stakes game against Shippensburg last week. Now they find themselves in somewhat of a must-win against an upstart G-A squad perfectly equipped to snap an eight-game losing streak to the ‘Boro.

Adam Kulikowski: Greencastle-Antrim 24, Waynesboro 21: This might be one of the best matchups on the slate. Watching the Blue Devils battle East Penn two weeks ago tells me they have the potential to pull off the upset.

Juniata 37, Halifax 6

Andy Shay: Juniata 28, Halifax 0: How about that win for the Indians in Week 5? That’s next-level stuff defensively. The train keeps rolling for Juniata in this one.

Geoff Morrow: Juniata 30, Halifax 6: Indians have posted a couple of baseball-score victories, including last week’s 8-7 triumph over Middletown that I dang near predicted. (I was so mad at myself for not committing to the upset!) Doubtful this final score resembles a baseball result.

Andy Sandrik: Juniata 27, Halifax 7: Teams that lose their starting QB for the season often quit, but not these Indians, who seem to be playing even harder after their field general went down.

Adam Kulikowski: Juniata 40, Halifax 14: That Inidans’ defense has plenty of chops to cause havoc for the gritty Wildcats. Can Halifax offer enough defense to keep this one close?

Harrisburg 31, Altoona 0

Andy Shay: Harrisburg 28, Altoona 7: Mountain Lions are good up front defensively, and their run game is functional. Just too one-dimensional for the Cougars, who are taking care of business in efficient order.

Geoff Morrow: Harrisburg 44, Altoona 19: Covering the six most recent meetings between these schools, dating to 2005 but including battles in 2018 and ‘19, the Cougars have THOROUGHLY DOMINATED the Mountain Lions by a combined score of 334-44. Don’t think this one will fit into that mercy-rule mold, though I still think Harrisburg wins handily — so long as they don’t start looking ahead to CD East next weekend. (Same warning given to Panthers up above.)

Andy Sandrik: Harrisburg 33, Altoona 12: Two straight losses for Altoona, which isn’t ever the way you want to go against the Harrisburg Cougars.

Adam Kulikowski: Harrisburg 34, Altoona 27: This might be the quickest game of the Week 6 slate with both teams likely to focus heavily on the run. Give me Kyle Williams as the X-factor.

Cedar Cliff 28, Hershey 7

Andy Shay: Cedar Cliff 33, Hershey 7: Are the Colts a running team now? Just asking the question. I still see plenty of balance in this offense. Riding a hot RB is never a bad thing.

Geoff Morrow: Cedar Cliff 35, Hershey 6: If you’re the Colts, you take care of business here and start preparing for next weekend’s showdown at Bishop McDevitt. Trojans just don’t have the offense to compete right now.

Andy Sandrik: Cedar Cliff 24, Hershey 7: The Trojans’ defense can only keep these games close for so long before the offense needs to start catching up.

Adam Kulikowski: Cedar Cliff 30, Hershey 20: Jontae Morris sure looks like he is fully back from an ACL injury that stole his 2020 campaign. Also looks like the reins are off as the Colts prep for the stretch run.

Tri-Valley 53, Marian Catholic 0

Andy Shay: Tri-Valley 34, Marian Catholic 6: Pretty clear Marian is struggling this season, particularly on offense where points have been hard to come by. And the Bulldogs’ defense is no slouch, either.

Geoff Morrow: Tri-Valley 35, Marian Catholic 0: The perfect tonic for getting over a somewhat surprising and thorough loss to Hamburg is welcoming an 0-5 team that doesn’t seem to know where the end zone is located.

Andy Sandrik: Tri-Valley 28, Marian Catholic 0: Tri-Valley can’t be happy with the way things slipped away against Hamburg last week. That’s not good news for Marian Catholic, which struggles enough on offense without an angry Bulldogs defense breathing down its neck.

Adam Kulikowski: Tri-Valley 45, Marian Catholic 7: The gents from Tamaqua (I love to say that town’s name!) have posted just 21 points all season. That’s just not enough production to get past the Bulldogs. 

Milton Hershey 34, Mifflin County 30

Andy Shay: Milton Hershey 28, Mifflin County 14: See how the Spartans respond to being upset victims. One bad quarter will torpedo most teams. This is a good opponent to find that winning feeling again.

Geoff Morrow: Milton Hershey 29, Mifflin County 7: The Huskies have scored 11 points in five games. That’s an ugly stat even if you’re talking about ice hockey.

Andy Sandrik: Milton Hershey 32, Mifflin County 6: For all their recent struggles, the Spartans have at least been competitive throughout the season. The same can’t be said for MiffCo, which hasn’t scored six points in a game since Week 1.

Adam Kulikowski: Milton Hershey 45, Mifflin County 7: Many would call what happened to the Spartans last week against Palmyra an upset. No such words will be uttered this week.

Williams Valley 44, Panther Valley 14

Andy Shay: Williams Valley 42, Panther Valley 6: The Vikings are not a high-wire act anymore on offense, but they are efficient enough to be 4-1. Panther Valley has scored one touchdown in 12 quarters and is winless.

Geoff Morrow: Williams Valley 43, Panther Valley 0: The Panther Valley Panthers will pose minimal risk to the Williams Valley Williamses.

Andy Sandrik: Williams Valley 35, Panther Valley 6: The Vikings have often had to struggle for their 4-1 record, but win No. 5 should be their easiest get of the season so far.

Adam Kulikowski: Williams Valley 31, Panther Valley 7: Vikings are a little beat up right now, but who isn’t heading into Week 6? Plenty in the cupboard to get the ‘W’ and move on.

Minersville 28, Pine Grove 14

Andy Shay: Minersville 20, Pine Grove 14: Two losses by a touchdown and another by two scores. PG is in almost every game. Just feel Minersville has enough in the tank to get three or more scores.

Geoff Morrow: Minersville 25, Pine Grove 14: Bounce-back time for the Miners, who two weeks ago put a hurtin’ on Williams Valley. Cardinals aren’t pushovers, but they need to show they can win close games.

Andy Sandrik: Minersville 28, Pine Grove 7: Points seem to come a lot easier for the Battlin’ Miners, but the score could be closer if Pine Grove’s defense turns in another stingy effort.

Adam Kulikowski: Minersville 34, Pine Grove 24: The Battlin’ Miners have no qualms tossing the pigskin around. Senior QB John Adams already has more than 1,200 passing yards with just 3 picks. That’s the steady hand that could cause problems for the Cardinals.

Palmyra 48, Red Land 41

Andy Shay: Red Land 27, Palmyra 23: The trendy pick here is to go with the hot team, and that would be the Cougars. I’m going with the Patriots because … well, because I can. This is a “feel” pick for sure.

Geoff Morrow: Red Land 21, Palmyra 14: Definitely among the toughest games to pick this week. Here are two teams with minimal playoff hopes but with enough moxie to play disruptor. But what happens when the disruptors face each other? Patriots have fewer wins, but they’ve been the more consistent side. I guess that’s why I’ll pick ‘em.

Andy Sandrik: Palmyra 18, Red Land 14: Palmyra hit a major level-up last week during an impressive win over Milton Hershey. Now the Cougars have a really good opportunity to nail down their third win.

Adam Kulikowski: Red Land 28, Palmyra 14: To me, having the more established QB is key in this matchup. That checks the box next to Roman Jensen and the Patriots. 

Shippensburg 27, Mechanicsburg 7

Andy Shay: Shippensburg 33, Mechanicsburg 17: Greyhounds are more balanced, and that makes them more difficult to beat. Both sides of the ball are carrying equal weight. Wildcats will hang around, but over 48 minutes you have to lean toward Ship.

Geoff Morrow: Mechanicsburg 27, Shippensburg 21: Color me naive, but this feels like a potential trap for the Greyhounds. Despite last week’s surprising loss to West Perry, the Wildcats are solid and formidable, especially at home. And maybe, just maybe, Ship will be carrying a bit too much swagger into this game after handling Waynesboro with relative ease last week.

Andy Sandrik: Shippensburg 28, Mechanicsburg 14: I wasn’t sure what to make of the Hounds’ quick start considering their strength of schedule, but Ship’s decisive win over Waynesboro last week tells me Eric Foust’s boys just might be the team to beat in the Colonial.

Adam Kulikowski: Shippensburg 35, Mechanicsburg 28: Shippensburg skipper Eric Foust was confident his team could claim another Colonial Division title. Easy to see why with the way this Greyhounds squad has improved each week.

East Pennsboro 21, Susquehanna Township 14

Andy Shay: East Pennsboro 28, Susquehanna Township 7: Not sure what to expect from the Panthers week-to-week. Inconsistent would be a phrase that comes to mind right away. Chance to steer the ship back on course. ‘Hanna is struggling.

Geoff Morrow: East Pennsboro 27, Susquehanna Township 20: All of Susquehanna’s foes from here on out currently boast winning records. While that might seem to spell doom for an 0-5 team, I see signs of improvement. If they’re not careful, the talented but unreliable Panthers could be victimized.

Andy Sandrik: East Pennsboro 36, Susquehanna Township 14: It’s a good thing I have a lot of hair, because I’ve been pulling it out all season trying to pick Panthers games. Township has been suspect on both sides of the ball, so I’m giving EP the nod.

Adam Kulikowski: East Pennsboro 21, Susquehanna Township 14: Ditto to the comments from my compadres above regarding the Panthers. They are the Colonial’s box of chocolates.

Boiling Springs 43, Trinity 7

Andy Shay: Boiling Springs 34, Trinity 20: This will be a full metal jacket test for the T-Rocks and that 3-1 record. Something tells me the Bubblers are going to get pushed as well, though. Dandy matchup.

Geoff Morrow: Trinity 39, Boiling Springs 37: Here you have two clearly impressive teams that are a combined 7-2; however, what stands out to me is the losses by both teams are really the only closely contested games they’ve played. Which tells me both have talent, but both need to prove they can win playoff-type games. It’s one thing to rock overpowered foes to sleep; it’s something else to walk away victorious from a 48-minute grind. I’m going Shamrocks because I think they have slightly less pressure on them.

Andy Sandrik: Boiling Springs 28, Trinity 17: This is a rivalry game that each team fully expects to win. I think Boiling Springs has been a little more tested up to this point, and that makes a difference in a hard-hitting, four-quarter game.

Adam Kulikowski: Boiling Springs 31, Trinity 21: This is a physical test for the Shamrocks — one that I’m not sure they have faced yet this year. How do they respond to that first shot to the jaw?

Upper Dauphin 36, Line Mountain 6

Andy Shay: Upper Dauphin 32, Line Mountain 7: Trojans are coming off a COVID-19 bye and will have plenty of gas in the tank to make it a struggle for the Eagles to keep up.

Geoff Morrow: Upper Dauphin 33, Line Mountain 10: While it was good to see the Eagles score a few touchdowns last week, they still haven’t matched through four games this year (29 points) what they easily surpassed in last week’s victory over the Trojans (46 points). Honestly, UD seems like its next level this season anyway.

Andy Sandrik: Upper Dauphin 34, Line Mountain 7: I was sad to see UD’s game against Steel-High get canceled last week. I know a win wasn’t in the cards, but the Trojans have been hitting hard this season and have certainly established themselves as a team to beat in the Liberty.

Adam Kulikowski: Upper Dauphin, 37, Line Mountain 14: The Trojans return from a COVID-forced pause. This was a team just starting to hit its stride before said pause.

Northern York 31, West Perry 14

Andy Shay: Northern York 28, West Perry 20: Of course I’m going to continue to pick the Mustangs to lose these tape-measure games. I don’t mind being wrong again, either. Just think the Northern defense has a say in this outcome.

Geoff Morrow: Northern York 28, West Perry 27 (OT): Both programs have been especially difficult to judge this year, which of course makes it fun. I was the only one here to call the Polar Bears’ win over East Penn, but NOBODY saw something like 28-2 coming. Similarly, none of us gave the Mustangs a chance to beat Mechanicsburg. If I was picking one game to watch as a fan this week, this would be it.

Andy Sandrik: West Perry 17, Northern 10: No one expected WP to beat Mechanicsburg last week, and folks are going to be just as surprised when the Mustangs ride victorious back to Perry County on Friday.

Adam Kulikowski: Northern York 24, West Perry 21: I haven’t been able to peg West Perry all year, so the Mustangs likely walk away from this one on top. Just saying!

Saturday

Steel-High 26, Middletown 0

Andy Shay: Steel-High 40, Middletown 13: Two ships going in different directions. Rollers are coming off a COVID-19 bye, and the Blue Raiders suffered a monster upset loss to Juniata. Is there a chance for a course correction in 2021 on Cottage Hill? I just don’t see it.

Geoff Morrow: Steel-High 55, Middletown 21: “Steamrollers” is an appropriate name for what Steel-High is doing to its overmatched foes this year. Middletown has better pedigree than previous S-H opponents, but there isn’t enough offense there to counterpunch. Only reason I’m giving the Raiders 21 is I figure there’s a late-game touchdown or two once the result is no longer in doubt.

Andy Sandrik: Steel-High 45, Middletown 17: Not sure how this game goes any other way than a Rollers blowout.

Adam Kulikowski: Steel-High 54, Middletown 14: I’m just not sure anyone has the right counter punch for this Rollers team at the moment.

CANCELED: Susquenita at Newport; James Buchanan at Maryland School for the Deaf.