RECORDS (Last week — Overall):

Andy Shay: 19-9 — 19-9

Geoff Morrow: 17-11 — 17-11

Andy Sandrik: 16-12 — 16-12

Adam Kulikowski: 16-12 — 16-12

Thursday:

Cedar Cliff 33, Cocalico 27

Andy Shay: Cocalico 41, Cedar Cliff 35: The double whammy at RB and the beef along the Eagles’ front line is just a wee bit too much of an advantage in this one. I think each defense will be put to the test, and points will be bountiful.

Geoff Morrow: Cocalico 54, Cedar Cliff 42: There are obviously a horde of game-breaking players suiting up in this one, which could mean 100 points are scored in a highly competitive game. It’s the side that makes a few defensive stops that walks away exhausted … probably into the end zone.

Andy Sandrik: Cedar Cliff 35, Cocalico 28: Anthony Bourassa (9.8 ypc) and Steven Flinton (8.3 ypc) were carrying the ball so well last week, Cocalico only needed to attempt three passes in a win over Conrad Weiser. The Colts also have a cast of playmakers that put up 56 in their opener. Definitely take the “over” on this game.

Adam Kulikowski: Cedar Cliff 31, Cocalico 28: This Thursday night showcase should be filled with fireworks. The Colts will need a big performance from their big men in the trenches — especially on defense to limit the damage Cocalico can do on the ground. 

CD East 28, Warwick 21 

Andy Shay: CD East 31, Warwick 28: The Panthers convert the FG to win it this week. Both teams were impressive in their openers, despite CD East losing to Manheim Township. New Warriors QB Jack Reed will present some problems. Great Thursday night special.

Geoff Morrow: Warwick 35, CD East 28: A popular upset pick, the Panthers haven’t won a game since Oct. 11, 2019 (Carlisle), while the Warriors haven’t lost a regular-season game since the exact same date (Wilson). Warwick didn’t even lose an actual played game last year, departing the playoffs via forfeit to Governor Mifflin. A victory is a big ask of the rapidly improving East program. It’s certainly impossible, but I don’t want to dismiss the Warriors so easily.

Andy Sandrik: CD East 28, Warwick 21: Panthers were down but never out against Manheim Township last week and very nearly stole victory. I think CD East grows from that and picks up that first win this week. 

Adam Kulikowski: CD East 37, Warwick 33: Mehki Flowers shows up in big games. Is a dynamic performance from the Penn State recruit enough to push the Panthers into the win column?

Greencastle-Antrim 21, Lower Dauphin 14

Andy Shay: Greencastle-Antrim 21, Lower Dauphin 13: It’s been some lean times on the southern tier of Franklin County for the Blue Devils. And they are 0-1. However, putting up a dog fight against a much bigger school like Chambersburg is a very good sign. Falcons’ opener was postponed, which puts them behind the 8-ball.

Geoff Morrow: Lower Dauphin 17, Greencastle-Antrim 14: The Falcons’ last time out in 2020 ended in victory and the erasure of a 16-game losing streak. No idea the last time these teams met, but just a reminder to Blue Devils fans to NOT go to Lower Dauphin High School.

Andy Sandrik: Lower Dauphin 14, Greencastle-Antrim 10: Blue Devils could very well be 1-0 right now, but they let Chambersburg off the hook. If G-A doesn’t put that loss in the rear view mirror quickly, it could be 0-2 by the end of this weekend.

Adam Kulikowski: Greencastle-Antrim 14, Lower Dauphin 7: Points should be at a premium in this battle at Hersheypark Stadium. The G-men have just enough to make the return trip south enjoyable. 

Friday:

Biglerville vs. Camp Hill

Andy Shay: Camp Hill 26, Biglerville 20: That was a real confidence boost of a victory for the Lions to start the season. They will still be a work in progress, but momentum matters, and they have some.

Geoff Morrow: Camp Hill 27, Biglerville 14: My dad, who is a CD East grad, used to visit family in Adams County as a youth and pick fruit. I’m sure in his day, he also passed the time by kicking cans. These Canners get kicked in their season opener.

Andy Sandrik: Camp Hill 21, Biglerville 17: We were questioning last week whether Camp Hill had enough practice under its belt to get the job done last week. Now the script has flipped, and the Lions have four more quarters of football than the Canners. Advantage Camp Hill. 

Adam Kulikowski: Camp Hill 31, Biglerville 14: The Lions know the non-league schedule is their time to shine. Make it two straight for Tim Bigelow’s boys. 

Middletown vs. Bishop McDevitt

Andy Shay: Bishop McDevitt 34, Middletown 7: Losing that first game to postponement did the Blue Raiders no favors for this matchup. Crusaders are sure to be miffed after getting shut out a week ago, and their rushing game was locked down completely.

Geoff Morrow: Bishop McDevitt 28, Middletown 13: So, let me get this straight: McDevitt goes unbeaten in 2020 and can’t make the playoffs. Now they’re 0-1 with zero points, and I’m guessing this unit is a HANDFUL come November.

Andy Sandrik: Bishop McDevitt 42, Middletown 14: While we were researching high school football picks, Geoff was doing whatever people do in Vegas. And he was the only one to correctly pick McDevitt’s loss in Week 1. Now that he’s back to the real world with the rest of us, I’m looking for momentum to return to logic and reason. 

Adam Kulikowski: Bishop McDevitt 35, Middletown 28: Who had the Crusaders putting up a goose egg this season at any point, let alone in Week 1? There are question marks to answer with McDevitt’s running game, but a step forward in Week 2 is likely. 

Central York vs. Cumberland Valley

Andy Shay: Central York 35, Cumberland Valley 7: Eagles’ offensive struggles continue, especially up front, and that translates to points on the board being a difficult accomplishment. And that guy Pribula is going to create some offense for CY.

Geoff Morrow: Central York 36, Cumberland Valley 17: The big-class runners-up a year ago, the Panthers cannot afford to take CV lightly, even after another offensive dud by the Eagles last week. Last time these teams met, early in 2019, CV posted a 13-12 victory.

Andy Sandrik: Central York 28, Cumberland Valley 14: Anyone old enough to remember when picking CY over CV was a laughable offense? Much has changed, in part due to the legwork put in for the Panthers by former coach Josh Oswalt, who is now tasked with keeping CV competitive against an explosive QB in Beau Pribula. 

Adam Kulikowski: Central York 41, Cumberland Valley 7: People keep saying that dude Pribula is pretty good. (Umm, yea!) Eagles are still working to find a groove.

Red Lion vs. Waynesboro

Andy Shay: Red Lion 30, Waynesboro 21: The Lions had no problem getting theirs and scoring points against Cedar Cliff, and that bodes well for them in this matchup. Indians have to find a way to make this game a slow crawl and less of an up-and-down track meet.

Geoff Morrow: Red Lion 27, Waynesboro 14: You don’t want to make a habit out of losing to YAIAA teams … oh, wait. It’s a new decade, and now YAIAA football is to be taken seriously. Lions roar to victory.

Andy Sandrik: Red Lion 21, Waynesboro 7: The Indians are a dangerous team when you’re playing their brand of football, but they’re a little more vulnerable if you can force them to play from behind. Red Lion put 5 TDs on the board last week, and if the Lions get ahead early, it’s their game to lose.

Adam Kulikowski: Red Lion 28, Waynesboro 10: The Indians are a tough out, but the firepower from the Lions should be able to put the Indians on their heels. 

New Oxford vs. East Pennsboro

Andy Shay: East Pennsboro 28, New Oxford 7: First meeting ever between these two schools, and the Panthers offer a difference maker on offense who set a school record in his 2021 debut. Not sure the Colonials have enough zip to keep pace.

Geoff Morrow: New Oxford 22, East Pennsboro 21: The Colonials haven’t surrendered more than 14 points in a game since getting walloped by Cedar Cliff in the 2019 playoffs. That includes a 7-0 victory last week over Bermudian. Now, obviously slowing the Panthers’ new rocketship RB is key, but good defenses find a way.

Andy Sandrik: East Pennsboro 21, New Oxford 0: The obvious matchup to watch is the New Oxford defense — fresh off a shutout victory — against Panthers RB Sy Burgos, who rolled up a school-record 366 yards last week. Something tells me the difference maker, though, will be East Penn’s defense. 

Adam Kulikowski: East Pennsboro 35, New Oxford 7: The question here isn’t whether the Panthers advance to 2-0, but rather how many yards does the new school record holder, Sy Burgos, end up with by night’s end. 

James Buchanan vs. Halifax

Andy Shay: James Buchanan 28, Halifax 14: Couple of programs that are in 2021 struggle mode, as both suffered lopsided defeats to open the campaign. I’ll take the Rockets in a complete guess because it could easily go either way.

Geoff Morrow: Halifax 19, James Buchanan 15: Like Shay says, this is a guessing game, two slumping programs passing in the mountain night. But somebody shall triumph, and I’m banking on the home team.

Andy Sandrik: James Buchanan 28, Halifax 20: This could very well be one of Halifax’s few realistic chances to nail down a win in the near future. My concern is with the Wildcats’ small roster numbers, how long can these guys keep themselves standing?

Adam Kulikowski: James Buchanan 28, Halifax 7: This, to me, is a straight numbers game. Halifax simply needs to get out healthy with a crew that numbers in the teens.

Milton Hershey vs. Susquehanna Township 

Andy Shay: Milton Hershey 30, Susquehanna Township 27: Very concerned about the Spartans’ defense giving up nearly 50 points to South Western. That was unexpected. The Indians surrendered 44 to Kennett. Both teams are searching for a lot in this one.

Geoff Morrow: Susquehanna Township 22, Milton Hershey 20: I doubt I would have made this type of prediction if I were picking this game a week ago. I don’t think any of us knows enough about these typically strong programs yet to pick with confidence.

Andy Sandrik: Milton Hershey 28, Susquehanna Township 21: Two promising squads that each took a beating in Week 1. Your guess is as good as mine.

Adam Kulikowski: Milton Hershey 20, Susquehanna Township 14: Dion Bryant will likely be the best athlete on the field Friday night. Can the Spartans ride his legs to victory? 

Bermudian Springs vs. Boiling Springs

Andy Shay: Boiling Springs 35, Bermudian Springs 7: Some might say you can expect the Bubblers to expect a full test this week from the Eagles. I say maybe a little more, but not nearly enough. I think this is another one-sided affair for the lads in purple and white.

Geoff Morrow: Boiling Springs 33, Bermudian Springs 21: While I recognize the Eagles might not be as grand as they often are, and the Bubblers put a CAPITAL “L” on Littlestown last week, this would still be the Bubblers’ first victory over Bermudian since 2015. So I don’t think it will be easy.

Andy Sandrik: Boiling Springs 44, Bermudian Springs 14: I’m just here to say at least two other media outlets spelled Bubbler players names wrong last week, which means that I’m now officially off the hook. Now that that’s out of the way, time for the prediction. Boiling Springs wins big. 

Adam Kulikowski: Boiling Springs 38, Bermudian Springs 7: Bubblers have to be feeling pretty good about themselves after dropping 69 on Littlestown in Week 1. Another repeat performance isn’t out of the question.

Shippensburg vs. Big Spring

Andy Shay: Shippensburg 24, Big Spring 21: Is this the Little Brown Jug game? Why, I believe it is! And this is going to be a dandy matchup. 

Geoff Morrow: Shippensburg 25, Big Spring 23: My gut is telling me the Bulldogs have a good shot at their first win in this legendary series since 2010, but Ship superfan Jay Rotz lectured me for picking his ‘Hounds to lose to Hershey last week. And he was right. If you know Jay, you know how utterly painful it is to admit that. I won’t give him the satisfaction this week.

Andy Sandrik: Shippensburg 28, Big Spring 14: I feel like this is the most competitive Big Spring team Ship has played in years, yet I still can’t shake the thought of the ‘Hounds being two steps ahead for the duration. 

Adam Kulikowski: Big Spring 24, Shippensburg 23: Do I have to call my shot to go for the upset pick? This would be an upset, but my gamble is more a reflection of the promise we see in Big Spring than a reflection of any downturn in a Shippensburg program that we know will be a contender in the Colonial. 

Williams Valley vs. Pine Grove

Andy Shay: Williams Valley 21, Pine Grove 14: Neither offense showed much pop in their opener, and I have a feeling both will score more than a single touchdown like they did last week. Defensive battle?

Geoff Morrow: Williams Valley 20, Pine Grove 13: Cardinals won the last battle between these rivals in 2019, but that doesn’t sway me here. Weird note: This is the Cards’ second straight game against a sideline full of Vikings. Maybe time to sign Uhtred Ragnarsson as spiritual leader.

Andy Sandrik: Williams Valley 24, Pine Grove 14: Two teams that finished on opposite sides of Week 1 struggles. I’ll take the Vikings to once again find a way to win in the face of adversity.

Adam Kulikowski: Pine Grove 28, Williams Valley 21: Defense ruled for both teams in Week 1. Which team can find another gear on offense? I’ll take the Cardinal in a close one. 

Hollidaysburg vs. Mifflin County

Andy Shay: Hollidaysburg 27, Mifflin County 14: Couple of 0-1 squads that scored a combined total of nine points in Week 1. Of course they played Altoona and State College, so there’s THAT as a factor. Just think the Tigers have a bit more cooking right now.

Geoff Morrow: Hollidaysburg 28, Mifflin County 7: Good news is if I wanted to catch this game, I could just hop on my bike and pedal 14 days to Lewistown.

Andy Sandrik: Hollidaysburg 26, Mifflin County 10: Tough loss for the Golden Tigers against rival Altoona last week, but the sledding should be just a touch easier against MiffCo this week. 

Adam Kulikowski: Hollidaysburg 30, Mifflin County 7: The Huskies are battling to find their footing. Showing signs in this Week 2 matchup would bode well for the rest of their slate. 

Elizabethtown vs. Mechanicsburg

Andy Shay: Mechanicsburg 21, Elizabethtown 7: There’s some elements on defense for the Wildcats that I think are enough to carry them across the finish line in this matchup. Both teams will rely on a ground attack, so big plays through the air will be difference makers.

Geoff Morrow: Mechanicsburg 28, Elizabethtown 14: The Bears haven’t danced with a Mid-Penn program since pounding Hershey in 2017. Plus I’m using this pick to toast the late, great Skip Hutter, a Mechanicsburg legend and longtime Patriot-News sportswriter. Grateful to have called you a friend, Skip!

Andy Sandrik: Mechanicsburg 29, Elizabethtown 14: First off, last week’s GoMechanicsburg.com live stream — complete with a clock, down and distance, and knowledgeable commentators — was one of the best I’ve seen in recent years. Secondly, I liked what I saw from the Wildcats against a tough Carlisle squad. I think they’ll be just fine moving forward.

Adam Kulikowski: Mechanicsburg 21, Elizabethtown 14: The Wildcats had an opportunity to steal one from Carlisle in Week 1 before a Thundering Herd kickoff return put the game out of reach. This one should be easier.  

Downingtown East vs. State College

Andy Shay: State College 21, Downingtown East 14: Honestly, I like this matchup and think it could be a wicked good game. I’m just not sure who I like more, or why. So I’m gonna make the rare homer pick and ride with the Little Lions.

Geoff Morrow: State College 44, Downingtown East 33: Sometimes we see the others’ picks before we make our own. This is one of those cases when I see AShay’s choice. And I just wanna say, I LOVE that he considers picking the school that’s about 97 miles from his front porch the “homer pick.”

Andy Sandrik: State College 28, Downingtown East 14: You always have to hold your breath when a good team loses some quality players. Except for State College, there always seems to be talent waiting in the wings for the Little Lions, as they showed last week in a trouncing over Mifflin County.

Adam Kulikowski: State College 30, Downingtown East 20: The retooling Little Lions tuned up against Mifflin County in Week 1. This is a more stringent test for the Lions to pass. 

Hershey vs. Carlisle

Andy Shay: Carlisle 21, Hershey 7: The Thundering Herd will present some matchup problems offensively that the Trojans aren’t quite ready for. The Hershey offense struggled in its opener, and this DL for Carlisle has some bite to it.

Geoff Morrow: Carlisle 30, Hershey 13: I got both of these teams’ games wrong last week, so don’t take my advice here. But I will say, confidently, that driving repeated round trips from Hershey to Carlisle along Route 81 is former 4th Down picker Jeff Dewees’ version of hell.

Andy Sandrik: Carlisle 28, Hershey 14: Everything I thought I knew about Carlisle before the opener was pretty much right, except for the whole backup-QB-having-a-cannon-arm part. A balanced Herd offense is going to make those guys up front even more terrifying than they currently are. 

Adam Kulikowski: Carlisle 27, Hershey 14: Judging from Week 1 against Mechanicsburg, it looks like the Thundering Herd found their quarterback in Louis Shank. That could create even more intrigue for a Carlisle team trending up. 

Ephrata vs Palmyra

Andy Shay: Ephrata 30, Palmyra 21: I think that ground game Ephrata boasts with a solid 1-2 punch at running back, plus a passing attack that catches you playing run first, will give the Cougars some problems.

Geoff Morrow: Ephrata 27, Palmyra 22: The last time I was a full-time sportswriter, Ephrata was awful at this sport. Kudos to the coaches and kids who turned that program around, because the Mountaineers are hunting a third straight winning season. Color me impressed.

Andy Sandrik: Ephrata 28, Palmyra 21: Run offense was great for Ephrata in Week 1; run defense not so much for the Cougars, who allowed 5 TDs on the ground last week.

Adam Kulikowski: Palmyra 21, Ephrata 20: OK, I’ll play contrarian. Key to this game for the Cougars lies with their experienced big men up front. If they can get a consistent push, this one will come down to the wire.

Williamsport vs. Altoona

Andy Shay: Altoona 27, Williamsport 14: For me, this one is all about the Mountain Lions’ defense putting a mute button on the Millionaires’ offense. That’s just how I see this one going down.

Geoff Morrow: Altoona 33, Williamsport 26: For all who are suffering COVID fog (literally or figuratively), here’s a reminder that these teams met in the playoffs last year, with the Mountain Lions posting a two-score victory.

Andy Sandrik: Altoona 35, Williamsport 20: Got a text from an old colleague in Altoona saying that I, along with the Mid-Penn, had better start respecting the Mountain Lions. I don’t want to get stabbed, so yeah, I’m going with Altoona.

Adam Kulikowski: Altoona 27, Williamsport 14: The Mountain Lions made Mrs. 4th Down very happy in Week 1, as her alma mater notched win No. 1 of the season. That adage that says happy wife, happy life holds true. I’ll double up on the maroon for another week.  

Northern York vs. Dover

Andy Shay: Northern York 21, Dover 20: Each team had an impressive opening salvo to begin the season. Polar Bears were pushed a little more, and maybe that’s enough to push them over the top. Dover will provide another full test.

Geoff Morrow: Dover 28, Northern York 21: These schools aren’t terribly far apart, but there’s not much history to go on. The Eagles took some lumps last year, but that was mostly against the YAIAA big schools. This is a toss-up to me.

Andy Sandrik: Northern 28, Dover 21: Lot more fight from these fresh-faced Polar Bears than we initially thought. Another tough game on tap this week, but I’m encouraged by how strong Northern has come out of the gate. 

Adam Kulikowski: Northern York 28, Dover 24: Just when you think the Polar Bears may not have that dynamic rushing attack, new faces emerge to take the baton. 

Berks Catholic vs. Central Dauphin

Andy Shay: Central Dauphin 28, Berks Catholic 17: Rams are licking their wounds a little bit after that opening loss to Wilson. The Bulldogs were the better team and deserved to win that one for sure. CD has some matchup advantages; it’s just a question of whether the Rams are better in Week 2 and can take advantage of them.

Geoff Morrow: Central Dauphin 26, Berks Catholic 20: We know CD lost to Wilson; some Bulldogs fans gleeked all over themselves making sure we knew that much. But did you know Berks Catholic beat Executive Education Academy Charter School? True story. Hey, at least it wasn’t Bishop Sycamore.

Andy Sandrik: Central Dauphin 21, Berks Catholic 7: We got dragged pretty hard last week when all four of us took CD. I think the Rams will be improved and ready for BC, and once again have us looking like experts.

Adam Kulikowski: Central Dauphin 35, Berks Catholic 14: The Rams are still finding the right mix to surround standout QB Max Mosey. A tinkering Central Dauphin team has enough pieces in place to survive this Week 2 battle. 

West Perry vs. Newport

Andy Shay: West Perry 28, Newport 25: Why has it been a quarter century between games for these county mates? Glad to see this game. I’m taking a flier here on the Mustangs. No legit reason why.

Geoff Morrow: Newport 23, West Perry 22: If you would have asked me, Family Feud-style, that “West Perry and Newport haven’t done THIS together in 25 years,” my first answer would not have been “Play football.”

Andy Sandrik: Newport 33, West Perry 30: I spent two hours painting a shed in Perry County thinking about this game. Still not sure what’s going to happen, but you better believe they’re going to party like it’s 1995.

Adam Kulikowski: Newport 35, West Perry 28: These two Perry County teams battle for the first time in more than 25 years. That alone is enough to purchase a ticket to this spectacle.

Tri-Valley vs. Mahanoy Area

Andy Shay: Tri-Valley 14, Mahanoy Area 7: Something tells me this is going to be a tight squeeze, and defense will be calling the shots most of the way.

Geoff Morrow: Tri-Valley 8, Mahanoy Area 0: According to Wikipedia, which, by the way, is generally an AWFUL resource, “The name ‘Mahanoy’ is believed to be a variation of the Native American word ‘Maghonioy,’ or ‘the salt deposits.’ So, I guess I like the Golden Bears’ chances against a team called the Slugs, but not necessarily against the Bulldogs.

Andy Sandrik: Tri-Valley 14, Mahanoy Area 0: The Golden Bears played Williams Valley tight last week, and they deserve a lot of credit for doing that, but they’re still searching for their first points of the year. Life won’t be much easier against Tri-Valley, which pitched a shutout in its opener.

Adam Kulikowski: Tri-Valley 27, Mahanoy 6: Kameron Wetzel and Jake Scheib each rushed for more than 100 yards last week against Minersville. The sledding won’t be nearly as easy this week — but that doesn’t mean the Bulldogs duo won’t carry home another victory. 

Harrisburg vs. Hazleton Area

Andy Shay: Harrisburg 29, Hazleton 7: Another road trip for the Cougars. This one feels like a breeze compared to Week 1. Not a knock over opponent, though. Harrisburg will have to show up and bring some fire to the table. No doubts they will.

Geoff Morrow: Harrisburg 38, Hazleton 7: I love that the Cougars rolled into Pine-Richland and popped ‘em even though none of us here believed it would be done. That’s style, baby. Also, Hazleton has to be one of the most frequently misspelled school names, right? Until about 2018, I probably always spelled it Hazelton.

Andy Sandrik: Harrisburg 35, Hazelton 10: It took a lot of guts and resolve for Harrisburg to spring the upset over defending state champion Pine-Richland. Hazelton is not the defending state champion. 

Adam Kulikowski: Harrisburg 42, Hazelton 7: The brand of football Harrisburg used to knock off the defending 5A champion Pine-Richland was a stray from Cougars teams of the recent past. Expect more of the same in Week 2. 

Chambersburg vs. Spring-Ford

Andy Shay: Spring-Ford 42, Chambersburg 7: Hey, you take any win, but beating fellow Franklin County foe Greencastle-Antrim by only two points sends up some warning flags. And Spring-Ford has some muscle and pop offensively.

Geoff Morrow: Spring-Ford 44, Chambersburg 13: The Rams have become one of those schools that seems to be pretty darn good in a lot of different sports, football included.

Andy Sandrik: Spring-Ford 35, Chambersburg 14: Tough matchup for the Trojans. Keep an eye on Rams QB Ryan Freed, who threw for more than 300 yards in Week 1.

Adam Kulikowski: Spring-Ford 28, Chambersburg 13: Mark Luther is still working on the edges of the puzzle in Franklin County. With a team that returned virtually no dudes at the skill positions, it might take a little time to fully understand what the Trojans can accomplish. 

Red Land vs. Northeastern

Andy Shay: Red Land 33, Northeastern 26: Neither defense showed much resistance in Week 1 losses. So expect some points to be scored. I like the Patriots here, but not convincingly.

Geoff Morrow: Northeastern 28, Red Land 26: Honestly, this is yet another toss-up game. These schools border each other, but I can’t find any recent history between them. Kind of like how Haiti and the Dominican Republic border each other, but it’s somehow easy to forget that they share an island.

Andy Sandrik: Red Land 30, Northeastern 20: Both teams coming off Week 1 losses, but I like the Patriots to rebound here.

Adam Kulikowski: Red Land 28, Northeastern 21: The Patriots showed some good signs in Week 1 against Northern York. Can they build on those successes to put a notch in the win column. I believe they do. 

Saturday:

Belmont Charter vs. Steel-High 

Andy Shay: Steel-High 42, Belmont Charter 14: I didn’t know Belmont Charter was a school until this week. Rollers’ deep-threat offense will be on display again if all the indicators are correct.

Geoff Morrow: Steel-High 55, Belmont Charter 14: I like that when I look up Belmont Charter on MaxPreps, it lists “freelance” as its league. Hey, that’s what I am! In fact, that’s what all of us are! By the way, those passing numbers for Steel-High last week were bonkers. 

Andy Sandrik: Steel-High 44, Belmont Charter 7: Can’t say I know a ton about BC, but let’s call it 14 straight wins for the Rollers, who set off allll the fireworks in Week 1.

Adam Kulikowski: Steel-High 38, Belmont Charter 20: Belmont Charter — a team playing just its second varsity football season — rolls in from Philadelphia to face a Rollers team coming off a 77-0 thumping of Morrisville. Advantage Rollers.

Juniata vs. Upper Dauphin

Andy Shay: Juniata 16, Upper Dauphin 14: Couple of 1-0 squads whose defenses surrendered a combined 11 points last week. This feels like a defensive tussle all the way. Indians love those close games that come down to the wire and get results.

Geoff Morrow: Upper Dauphin 43, Juniata 28: These teams missed each other last year, and that’s probably good news for the Trojans, who put up 54 against the Indians in 2019 but finished with just two wins in 2020. Juniata’s 6-3 victory over Line Mountain is a score that never would have been tolerated if they were still playing Tri-Valley League football.

Andy Sandrik: Juniata 28, Upper Dauphin 10: I think we’re gonna see the biggest Week 1 level-up from Juniata. Those grind-it-out, down-to-the-wire wins — like the Indians had last week over Line Mountain — are more valuable to a team than any of us outside the locker room know.

Adam Kulikowski: Juniata 28, Upper Dauphin 7:  Rumors were floating earlier this week about COVID issues with the Trojans. Even if the Trojans aren’t short-handed, Juniata’s firepower may be too much for Kent Smeltz’s crew to handle. 

Monday:

Susquenita vs. Line Mountain

Andy Shay: Line Mountain 20, Susquenita 7: Eagles might be 0-1, but their defense showed some chops in that loss to Juniata. Time for the offense to join the party.

Geoff Morrow: Line Mountain 14, Susquenita 6: Oh my gosh, I just had a flashback to the old Patriot-News days. Particularly, I remember how we would talk about the seemingly omnipresent muddiness of the outdoor fields at Susquenita HS. After this Ida rain, I can’t even imagine the mud puddles that might start overtaking all of Schoolhouse Road.

Andy Sandrik: Line Mountain 10, Susquenita 7: I have no idea what to expect from Susquenita, since the ‘Hawks missed Week 1 for COVID-19 protocols. What I am expecting is solid defense from Line Mountain, which should be the difference in this game.

Adam Kulikowski: Line Mountain 21, Susquenita 14: This is bound to be an old-school dog fight. If you like that type of punch-you-in-the-mouth football, punch a ticket for this one Friday night. 

Cancelled:

York Catholic vs. Trinity

Andy Shay: Trinity 28, York Catholic 21: After what the T-Rocks did in the opener against Delone Catholic, no way they are getting the underdog role in this one. This is a toss-up game all the way, and I’m mildly concerned about Trinity having a big-win hangover. Not enough to pick against them, though.

Geoff Morrow: Trinity 39, York Catholic 35: This kind of pre-game hype is usually reserved for the hardwood when these schools get together. I wrote a feature on new Rocks head coach Jordan Hill this spring, and his coaches were spitting measured confidence even though they were taking over a program in shambles. It didn’t feel like the typical “coach hype” to me, but, goodness, I did NOT expect what we saw last week. GangGreen in effect!

Andy Sandrik: Trinity 35, York Catholic 17: OK, Trinity, I see you. 

Adam Kulikowski: Trinity 31, York Catholic 20: The Shamrocks are quickly becoming the trendy pick in a wide open Capital Division race.  Week 1 opened eyes; what follows can reinforce the flash to start the season. 

One week of the high school football season is in the books. We’re taking a look around our coverage area to see who helped themselves this week and who did not in Week No. 1 in this edition of Stock up, Stock Down.

STOCK UP

• Anybody pull off a bigger upset in Week 1 than the Trinity Shamrocks? Harrisburg taking out defending state champion Pine-Richland is up there as well. I’m riding with the T-Rocks, though. I’m now keen on seeing this team sooner than later. Beating Delone Catholic with all that change that’s gone on in Shiremanstown is an old-fashioned upset. Posting a three-score victory is a jaw dropping result in my book. 

• Over my career I have learned the hard lesson of evaluating CD East’s program a week at a time during the season. That’s not a knock, it’s just the smart and safe way to approach the Panthers. Despite the loss on the road in Lancaster County to Manheim Township, you have to like the direction after four quarters. The Blue Streaks are beatable, sure, but they ask a lot of the opposition in order to beat them. CD East had a lot of the right answers. The ending was brutal. Otherwise, bring on Week 2 and let’s see!

• Already regarded as one of the top running backs in the Mid-Penn Conference, East Pennsboro’s Sy Burgos went to another level in the opener by making the school single-game rushing record his own with 366 yards against York Suburban. He surpassed Onassis Neely’s 2017 mark of 320 yards by nearly half a football field. He left no doubt. And his team needed him in a game that was air-tight at halftime. 

STOCK DOWN

• Penalties and lots of them are just part of the game in the early weeks of football at this level. However, some of the numbers I saw and witnessed told me the limitations everyone dealt with in 2020 related to the pandemic are going to have more impact on the sharpness meter this season. Still, I saw numbers like 15 and a couple 12s. The game I watched in person, Carlisle at Mechanicsburg, saw each squad rack up 11 flags. The small details matter, right?

• Change is never easy, just ask Cumberland Valley skipper Josh Oswalt. His system works — think Carlisle and Central York, his previous two stops. And it will work eventually in New Kingstown. But only one touchdown against Manheim Central is a downer for this offense. Maybe the Barons defense is better? Still, one score again for the Eagles is not what they needed to see.

• We continue to navigate the pandemic and how it impacts Friday night football. Last year it was fans in the stands. So, seeing fans in the stands Week 1 was nice. But an athletic director recently told me plenty of schools will not be taking their marching bands to road games. Safety first. I get it and agree 100%. One band is better than none, but it’s still a major bummer on my what-makes-Friday-night-so-special meter.