Game Balls for the Week of Sept. 25-26

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Game Balls for the Week of Sept. 25-26

4th Down’s Game Balls

Micah Brubaker, QB, Mechanicsburg: Even without his sidekick brother, Caleb, Micah was his typical self in the Wildcats’ season-opening 28-14 win over West Perry. He was an impressive 12-of-14 for 231 yards, two scores and two picks through the air. He also added 25 rushing yards and two TDs on the ground, accounting for all four Mechanicsburg scores on the night. The ‘Cats rolled him out a ton to get him out of danger, but he was smooth much of the night with a few gorgeous deep balls to Rashawn Early-Holton (4 receptions, 151 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT on defense) and looked more comfortable compared to last year looking to throw rather than taking off too early.

Dillon Wakefield, RB, Big Spring: Wasn’t too sure what to make of the Bulldogs this year, but a 20-6 win over a James Buchanan squad that’s much improved since the last time they were in the Mid-Penn is a good way to start. Wakefield broke off the game’s first score on a 19-yard run and then iced the contest with 2:32 left when he burst through for a 24-yard TD. He finished with 101 yards on an even 20 touches, the most yards and carries of anyone on the night.

Gannon McMeans, QB, Cedar Cliff: Perhaps the Colts’ defense deserves this for their impressive two-point conversion stop to beat Berks Catholic 35-34 in double overtime, but I gotta give McMeans props for a strong first showing without Jaheim Morris at tailback to provide a massive level of protection. McMeans showed he can carry this offense, finishing 14-of-24 for 190 yards and three touchdowns (plus the tying 1-yard plunge in the first OT) in a thriller. McMeans’ scoring tosses came from 55, 15 and 10 yards out, the last a strike to Ramon Garcia in 2OT. 

 Brody Robinson, LB, Pine Grove: While Robinson put on a defensive show by making a school-record 21 tackles yet it wasn’t enough to prevent the Cardinals’ 16-9 setback to Schuylkill 1 playmate Jim Thorpe. What makes Robinson’s mark even more astounding was the previous single-game record (19) was set only a week earlier by Josh Leininger.  

 Jesse Engle, TE, Williams Valley: Engle had a splendid five-day stretch, totaling 11 receptions for 260 yards as the Vikings split road games with Mount Carmel (43-28 loss) and Nativity BVM (35-34 win). By the way, five of Engle’s receptions went for touchdowns, three against Mount Carmel and two in a come-from-behind win at Nativity.

Andy Shay’s Game Balls

Timmy Smith, RB-LB, Central Dauphin: Is he a No. 1 running back, a top-flight wideout or a slot receiver that creates a match-up nightmare? Mr. Smith is all of those for a Rams offense that has one of the most versatile dual-threat weapons in the state in the senior. He’s not a bad linebacker, either, if you fancy defensive impact players. Smith had only 13 touches in a 62-10 drubbing of Chambersburg, but rang up 200 total yards and found the end zone four times. So basically one out of every four times Smith touched the ball he scored. He averaged a stellar 15.4 yards per touch, and three of his four receptions went for touchdowns. Easy Week 1 choice for a Game Ball.

Joey Menke, RB, Boiling Springs: Nothing like getting the elephant of an 11-game losing streak the Bubblers lugged into this anything-but-normal 2020 season off the table right out of the gate. Well done to the lads who meld purple, yellow and white into one of the sweetest uniform and helmet combinations in Central Pennsylvania. The junior played a major role in Boiling Springs’ relatively easy victory over Susquenita by rolling up 162 yards on the ground with three touchdowns. Menke averaged 9.0 yards off his 18 carries as part of a 51-point scoring outburst. Congrats to the Bubblers.

Cam Ochs, WR, Camp Hill: Not a bad night for any high school receiver to get three catches in a game. The Lions’ junior made sure his three grabs had major impact with three touchdowns covering 135 yards to provide a major power boost to an offense that needed some juice to edge Line Mountain by a touchdown. His 24-yard grab in the first quarter gave the Lions a lead they never relinquished. He went on to haul in 45- and 65-yard TD passes that proved vital against an Eagles team that made a late push. Camp Hill was looking for weapons to complement its talented QB. Seems they found one in Ochs.

Adam Kulikowski Game Balls

Trenten Smith, WR-CB, Cedar Cliff: It took just one offensive play for the 5-foot-10, 160-pound Smith to make his presence known during his first varsity action. Colts quarterback Gannon McMeans connected with the junior newcomer on a 55-yard dime to open the scoring in a wild 35-34 2OT thriller against Berks Catholic. Smith finished the night with 55 receiving yards, 20 more stripes on the ground and a score. He also notched five stops on defense. 

Marcus Day, RB, Altoona: In what might have been the biggest upset of the first week in the Mid-Penn Conference’s opening week of action, Altoona stunned Cumberland Valley 28-14. Day played a critical role churning out 188 yards on 23 carries and a pair of TDs. He added another 75 yards on 9-of-17 passing.


Alex Erby, QB, Steel-High: Welcome to The Show, kid. The 6-3 freshman — and son of Rollers head coach Andrew Erby — posted a strong first performance as the Rollers cruised to a 43-6 victory over Upper Dauphin. Erby connected on 11-of-20 for 208 yards and four TDs, including a pair to Division 1 recruit Mehki Flowers.

Michael Bullock’s Game Balls

Josh Leininger, QB, Pine Grove: Leininger posted up on both sides of the ball yet again in the Cardinals’ 16-9 Schuylkill 1 loss at Jim Thorpe. Offensively, the 6-1 senior completed a school-record 16 of 33 passes for a school-record 278 yards and also rushed for 79 yards and Pine Grove’s lone touchdown. He also racked up 15 tackles and an interception defensively.

Daniel Shuster, QB, Camp Hill: Flashing his clutch gene repeatedly in a 35-28 victory over Line Mountain, Shuster completed 10 of his 19 pass attempts for 263 yards and four scores — with three of his touchdown aerials landing in the hands of the aforementioned Ochs. As for the clutch aspect of Shuster’s performance, three of his TD passes came on third downs.


Jacob Feese, QB, Line Mountain: Feese flashed his dual-threat capabilities throughout Line Mountain’s season-opening 35-28 loss at Camp Hill, as the 6-1, 195-pounder nearly brought the Eagles all the way back from a 28-7 deficit. Feese displayed his legs while rushing 26 times for 138 yards and two second-half scores, but he also completed 8 of 17 passes for 102 yards.

Results: Week 1 Picks and Predictions

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Results: Week 1 Picks and Predictions

Standings: 

Andy Shay: Week 1 14-5

Geoff Morrow: Week 1 13-6

Andy Sandrik: Week 1 12-7

Jake Adams: Week 1 11-8 

Week 1 Mid-Penn Schedule: 

Friday, Sept. 25

Middletown 54, Juniata 19

Andy Shay: Middletown 38, Juniata 7: I’m going to give the Indians a touchdown and am well aware the Blue Raiders took a beating at the QB position in that scrimmage with CD. And I also know that will not matter.

Jake Adams: Middletown 49, Juniata 0: Let’s not get cute here. The Blue Raiders are a machine that will welcome Mid-Penn newcomer Juniata very, very rudely. 

Andy Sandrik: Middletown 44, Juniata 0: The Indians have always been a tough out in the newly defunct TVL, and may yet be a tough out in the Mid-Penn, but Middletown… yeah, that’s not the team you want breaking you in for conference play. 

Geoff Morrow: Middletown 40, Juniata 12: Holy crap. I am so far behind the Andys and Jakes of the world. My head has been buried so deep in other life stuff that I completely forgot Juniata (and others) are part of the Mid-Penn now. 

4th Down’s weekly show, High School Football Now with Eric F. Epler and Andy Shay, has a new home exclusively on the Small Player, Big Play app. Down the app today from Android or Apple and give us a watch!

Related: Middletown preview

Related: Juniata preview

Altoona 28, Cumberland Valley 14

Andy Shay: Cumberland Valley 41, Altoona 13: Former Eagles standout and Shippensburg University alum Josh Oswalt gets his first win at his high school alma mater. About time I could write that. It’s long overdue.

Jake Adams: Cumberland Valley 35, Altoona 3: Josh Oswalt’s spread offense finally reaches the Red and White. I don’t expect it to be running in midseason form, but it’ll be interesting to see what the result is.

Andy Sandrik: Cumberland Valley 33, Altoona 7: I’m as excited to see the Eagles’ new offense #TakeFlight as much as the next guy, but I’m wondering if we’ll even get to see beyond Page 1 of CV’s playbook in this contest.

Geoff Morrow: Cumberland Valley 43, Altoona 19: Blair County is an easier trip in September than it is in December. (I’m speaking physically here. Like the roads and things.) Advantage, Eagles.

Related: Cumberland Valley preview

Related: Altoona preview

Big Spring 20, James Buchanan 6

Andy Shay: Big Spring 25, James Buchanan 15: Welcome back to the MPC, Rockets. Appears JB has some talent to work with, and the Bulldogs are looking to fill the void created by weapons that have moved on. Still think BiS gets it done on the ground.

Jake Adams: Big Spring 27, James Buchanan 14: Rockets at Bulldogs, a well-established rivalry, back again with JB in its old stomping grounds. Big Spring has a bunch of weapons to replace, but the backfield appears stable and could grind out some good yards this week.

Andy Sandrik: Big Spring 31, James Buchanan 14: The Rockets return to the Mid-Penn after making strides during a four-year hiatus to build the program as an independent team. JB comes in confident now that it remembers what it feels like to win, but will that be enough for the Rockets to snap a 22-game losing streak against teams from the MPC?

Geoff Morrow: Big Spring 28, James Buchanan 20: Feels good to say “Jimmy Buck” again.

Related: James Buchanan preview

Related: Big Spring preview

Boiling Springs 51, Susquenita 13

Andy Shay: Susquenita 27, Boiling Springs 20: What does all that experience mean for the Bubblers and that nasty L streak they are carrying around? We are gonna find out. ‘Nita (gloriously displayed on their helmets) has a bit of junkyard dog in them and is my sleeper pick to win the Liberty.

Jake Adams: Susquenita 21, Boiling Springs 14: The Bubblers, I think, will end their losing streak this year, but I know how tough the Blackhawks have been in the TVL the last few years and think they’ll be a challenge. But I could be wrong and wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest.

Andy Sandrik: Susquenita 19, Boiling Springs 17: My gut feeling is to take Boiling Springs, which returns a wealth of experience, but until the Bubblers snap their 11-game losing streak, I’m going to keep picking against them. 

Geoff Morrow: Boiling Springs 22, Susquenita 20: Feels like I picked the Blackhawks wrong every game last year, which, if nothing else, speaks to their ability to keep things interesting AND my inability to figure out just what Perdix’s role is in all things ‘Nita.

Related: Boiling Springs preview

Related: Susquenita preview

Camp Hill 35, Line Mountain 28

Andy Shay: Camp Hill 28, Line Mountain 13: I’m going to ride Lions veteran QB Daniel Shuster here. Not sure of the weapons at his disposal, but he’ll find them. First taste of the MPC for Line Mountain. Welcome!

Jake Adams: Camp Hill 35, Line Mountain 17: If the Lions can replace two-way talent Frank Shartle II properly, they’ll be just fine. That requires one or more players stepping up in the run game and another one or two at linebacker. Good thing? The Lions’ passing game should be improved.

Andy Sandrik: Camp Hill 33, Line Mountain 6: Excited to watch the season progression of senior Camp Hill QB Daniel Shuster, who gets to test his arm against Line Mountain, an ex-TVL squad making its Mid-Penn debut. 

Geoff Morrow: Camp Hill 24, Line Mountain 20: Might not end up this close, but this seems like kind of a cool game. I’m digging this new Mid-Penn look.

Related: Camp Hill preview

Related: Line Mountain preview

Exeter Township 27, CD East 7

Andy Shay: Exeter Township 34, CD East 20: The Eagles have a game under their belt and despite the loss put up nearly 500 yards of offense. They will score points. Not sure the Panthers, who are preparing for their third opponent for this game, can be quite ready.

Jake Adams: Exeter Township 32, CD East 24: And this is the perfect example of why this season cannot possibly go smoothly. We’re only in Week 1 and East is on their backup-backup opponent. 

Andy Sandrik: Exeter Township 37, CD East 30: Part of me wants to think that East can trade blows with the Eagles, who took heavy graduation losses from last year’s district semifinals team. Another part of me thinks that returning all-league QB Gavin McCusker is going to put on a fireworks show. Maybe both things can be true.

Geoff Morrow: Exeter Township 28, CD East 21: Ain’t nothing like a last-second change of schedule. Gotta figure Eagles have the edge with a productive win over Hempfield last week while the Panthers were still scrimmaging.

Related: CD East preview

Cedar Cliff 35, Berks Catholic 34

Andy Shay: Cedar Cliff 21, Berks Catholic 20: The last time the Colts played a game it was an embarrassing performance in a District 3 championship game. That’s some fuel to light a fire right there. The Saints are the clear favorite. And I know the Colts are filling some huge shoes at important spots. I’m done picking them to lose big games until it happens — the D3 final doesn’t count as a game, either, cause it wasn’t.

Jake Adams: Berks Catholic 35, Cedar Cliff 20: Both teams made the district championship a season ago, but it appears the Colts have more new pieces to acclimate. And I think that shows in this hastily thrown together Week 1 matchup.

Andy Sandrik: Berks Catholic 28, Cedar Cliff 7: I can’t, in good faith, convince myself the Colts are going to beat the Saints when two days ago I was predicting Lower Dauphin to give CC a run for its money in the post-Jaheim Morris era.

Geoff Morrow: Cedar Cliff 22, Berks Catholic 21: I feel like I just accidentally copied AShay, though I didn’t notice his prediction until AFTER I made mine. Whatever. AShay is cool. I’m proud to sometimes think like him.

Related: Cedar Cliff preview

Central Dauphin 62, Chambersburg 10

Andy Shay: Central Dauphin 35, Chambersburg 7: Rams are the Alpha Dog in the division, and the Trojans have been knocking at the door. Some key losses means there’s going to be a gap. And playing a team like CD to learn how to plug those holes is a tall, tall ask.

Jake Adams: Central Dauphin 35, Chambersburg 21: The Rams look really, really dangerous. That’s what happens when a healthy chunk of a state championship finalist comes back.

Andy Sandrik: Central Dauphin 28, Chambersburg 14: The Trojans want so badly to become one of the top programs in the elite Commonwealth and have made strides with their ascent in the division’s pecking order, but in order to be the best, you have to beat the best. Chambersburg is being asked to do just that in Week 1 against defending champ Central Dauphin, a team the Trojans haven’t beaten since 2013.

Geoff Morrow: Central Dauphin 40, Chambersburg 20: So, some 2019 stuff is coming back to me, even though it feels like 8 million years ago. I remember the Trojans are a player now. But I also know the Rams are arguably the best team in the area.

Related: Central Dauphin preview

Related: Chambersburg preview

Northern 37, East Pennsboro 7

Andy Shay: Northern 26, East Pennsboro 23: This is going to be a scrap because the Polar Bears no longer have an ace in the hole. Up front Northern is better. EP has more seasoned and known weapons. I’m leaning on the hogs up front as the deciding factor. 

Jake Adams: East Pennsboro 28, Northern 21: You know what? Let’s go for the upset. Longtime CD assistant John Denniston snags his first career head-coaching win in his first try.

Andy Sandrik: Northern 28, East Pennsboro 21: For four years, Kyle Swartz was a cheat code for the Polar Bears. Something tells me this game is closer than expected as Northern adjusts to playing the game with mere mortals on its roster. 

Geoff Morrow: Northern 25, East Pennsboro 15: Hard to imagine a Panthers team without Todd Stuter patrolling the sideline. It’s not hard to imagine this being a fun contest.

Related: Northern preview

Related: East Pennsboro preview

Hamburg at Halifax (postponed)

Andy Shay: Hamburg 20, Halifax 13: The best player on the field, Diohnny Ruiz, plays for Hamburg, and in this strange world we now live in that’s enough a difference maker for me.

Jake Adams: Halifax 26, Hamburg 23: The Hawks won this one handily last year. But the Wildcats return a sizable amount of weapons. Gut call, considering how little I know outside the Mid-Penn.

Andy Sandrik: Hamburg 24, Halifax 21: Halifax had best keep an eye on Hamburg’s HB/LB Diohnny Ruiz, who was all-league on both sides of the ball last season. 

Geoff Morrow: Hamburg 30, Halifax 7: At first I thought this said “Harrisburg at Halifax,” and I was like, “Uh oh. That’s not good for the Wildcats.” After correcting myself, this still feels like an uphill battle to me.

Related: Halifax preview

Hershey 10, Red Land 7

Andy Shay: Red Land 20, Hershey 13: Scoring enough points to stay competitive is a hurdle Hershey must overcome this year. They have the horses to be better, but can they execute? Patriots are cooking with more they can trust right now. Should be a good one.

Jake Adams: Red Land 23, Hershey 20: This might be one of the juiciest matchups of the first week. The Trojans and Patriots both return a sizable chunk of last year’s squads, and at some valuable positions. This one’s a coin toss to me.

Andy Sandrik: Red Land 17, Hershey 7: All signs point to improved seasons from both the Patriots and Trojans, so this is a tough one to call. I’m giving Red Land the advantage because the Pats beat up on Hershey 31-6 in last year’s meeting.

Geoff Morrow: Red Land 20, Hershey 14: I went to Red Land, but I’m not a homer. I just flip coins.

Related: Red Land preview

Mechanicsburg 28, West Perry 14

Andy Shay: Mechanicsburg 42, West Perry 7: Welcome to the Colonial Division, Wildcats. You get to open with a Mustangs team that is solid up front but replacing all those yards and points at the skill positions is a process. And Wildcats QB Micah Brubaker is sneaky good.

Jake Adams: Mechanicsburg 35, West Perry 10: We know the Wildcats will rack up yards. But can they finish off a few more drives this year AND, more importantly, make more stops on defense? That’s the key to a successful Colonial Division debut.

Andy Sandrik: Mechanicsburg 28, West Perry 10: The Mustangs have strength on the offensive line, which is where games are ultimately won or lost, but WP’s new cast of playmakers will need to start producing almost immediately to keep pace with the rejuvenated Wildcats, led by Micah Brubaker, perhaps the biggest QB threat in the Colonial Division.

Geoff Morrow: Mechanicsburg 33, West Perry 14: Boss’ son plays for the Wildcats, so I’m just predict right now that Mechanicsburg wins the Super Bowl this year and hope it gets me a quality job review.

Related: Mechanicsburg preview

Related: West Perry preview

Bishop McDevitt 33, Mifflin County 0

Andy Shay: Bishop McDevitt 44, Mifflin County 0: Thinking this is more like a scrimmage than a Week 1 game. The talent gap is rather large here. 

Jake Adams: Bishop McDevitt 56, Mifflin County 3: The Crusaders are built to score a billion points, and that starts in Week 1.

Andy Sandrik: Bishop McDevitt 42, Mifflin County 0: The Crusaders are great on offense and exceptional on the defensive side of the ball. I think McDevitt’s starters and backups work hard to keep MiffCo off the board. 

Geoff Morrow: Bishop McDevitt 55, Mifflin County 7: Running wild in Lewistown.

Related: Bishop McDevitt preview

Related: Mifflin County preview

Hollidaysburg 42, Palmyra

Andy Shay: Hollidaysburg 20, Palmyra 16: This is my guess pick of the week. The fact the Golden Tigers already have eight live quarters under their belt has to mean something, right?

Jake Adams: Palmyra 28, Hollidaysburg 13: Normally, I’d like a team coming in with two games in hand, but the Golden Tigers are already 0-2 and went 0-4 pretty decisively against Mid-Penn competition last year. Cougars cruise here.

Andy Sandrik: Hollidaysburg 28, Palmyra 13: I’m going to disagree with Jake here. Even at 0-2, I fully expect the Golden Tigers to be more prepared for the lights in Week 3 than an untested Palmyra in Week 1. That’s not a slight on the Cougars, either, just another weird-but-true reality of 2020.

Geoff Morrow: Palmyra 21, Hollidaysburg 17: Such an intense, classic rivalry here. It’s like cats vs. dijon mustard.

Greencastle-Antrim 20, Susquehanna Township 13

Andy Shay: Susquehanna Township 33, Greencastle-Antrim 26: The Blue Devils will be improved and look to play at a much different pace than their opponent. I fully expect the Hanna Tribe to flash, but G-A will make it grind over 48 minutes.

Jake Adams: Susquehanna Township 41, Greencastle-Antrim 19: It’ll be a 3-4 team race in the Colonial this year, perhaps the most entertaining division race to watch in the entire Mid-Penn. ‘Hanna firmly belongs in that camp, while G-A will be looking to play spoiler all year.

Andy Sandrik: Susquehanna Township 48, Greencastle-Antrim 21: The Indians will, as expected, make their Colonial Division debut an explosive one. This is, however, one of Greencastle’s best teams in years. Can the Blue Devils keep the game entertaining?

Geoff Morrow: Susquehanna Township 35, Greencastle-Antrim 14: I remember Jake issued an edict last year saying we now have to spell out “township” in these school names. I gave in, but it will always be “Twp.” in my heart.

Related: Susquehanna Twp. preview

Related: Greencastle-Antrim preview

Newport 21, Trinity 17

Andy Shay: Newport 20, Trinity 7: Both squads are shopping for weapons to emerge at the skill positions. This is a box of chocolates game to me — not sure what you are going to get.

Jake Adams: Newport 28, Trinity 21: I’m going to struggle the first few weeks figuring out these Liberty-Capital crossover games. But I’m not sure what to expect from a rebuilt Shamrocks offense that will have a new QB, new RB and several new receivers. 

Andy Sandrik: Trinity 14, Newport 7: Both teams replacing some key skill players so points might come at a premium on Friday night. Coin flip game in my mind, so going with the home team.

Geoff Morrow: Trinity 21, Newport 18: It’s a good nickname battle. Let’s hope this is also a good actual battle. I think it will be.

Related Newport preview

Related: Trinity preview

Waynesboro 22, Shippensburg 20

Andy Shay: Shippensburg 24, Waynesboro 13: In a year when very little resembles what we saw in 2019 because of COVID, the Greyhounds are lethally predictable. That will serve them well against the pesky Indians.

Jake Adams: Shippensburg 28, Waynesboro 14: The Greyhounds may not be able to get to warp speed after some lightning-fast graduations, but they’re still big, still strong, still confident and still have some speed left over.

Andy Sandrik: Shippensburg 21, Waynesboro 12: Ship appears to have the best team on the field this week, and perhaps in the Colonial Division all season, but Week 1 is a dangerous time to be taking Waynesboro’s best shot.

Geoff Morrow: Shippensburg 30, Waynesboro 20: Remember that one year Brennan Marion coached the ‘Boro and added some spice to the entire Colonial? That was fun. Indians have been pretty competitive since, too.

Related: Shippensburg preview

Related: Waynesboro preview

Saturday, Sept. 26

Steel-High 43, Upper Dauphin 6

Andy Shay: Steel-High 33, Upper Dauphin 22: To me this game goes one of two ways, either’s a fun up-and-down Saturday thriller on Cottage Hill, or the Rollers take the Trojans out behind the woodshed. The over-under for touchdown plays covering 60 or more yards is 3.5.

Jake Adams: Steel-High 37, Upper Dauphin 32: Two favorites in their respective divisions with two potent offenses, this also has the makings of an excellent Week 1 clash. If the Rollers’ rookie QB Alex Erby proves the preseason hype correct, this could be a fun, high-scoring game.

Andy Sandrik: Steel-High 30, Upper Dauphin 20: My wife wants us to take the kids to Hersheypark on Saturday, but it’s gonna be really hard not to stay home and search for a livestream of this juicy matchup. 

Geoff Morrow: Steel-High 44, Upper Dauphin 30: Rollers family suffered some recent heartbreak, and I think the team rallies around that and wins one for the community.

Related: Upper Dauphin preview

Related: Steel-High preview

*State College, Lower Dauphin, Carlisle: No contests scheduled

Related: State College preview

Related: Lower Dauphin preview

Related: Carlisle preview

Week 3 Schuylkill League Schedule: 

Friday, Sept. 25

Jim Thorpe 16, Pine Grove 9

Andy Shay: Jim Thorpe 26, Pine Grove 14: I don’t think I realized JT was nicknamed the Olympians. WHAT a great nickname. There’s a physical level between the old TVL (rest in peace you beautiful small-school league) and the Schuylkill League. The Cards are finding that out.

Jake Adams: Jim Thorpe 27, Pine Grove 20: I think I played a youth league baseball game against a team from Jim Thorpe 20 years ago. That’s my special nugget of knowledge for this one.

Andy Sandrik: Jim Thorpe 28, Pine Grove 7: The transition to Schuylkill League football hasn’t been an easy one for 0-2 Pine Grove, and I’m not sure the road gets any easier this week for the Cards, who now have to deal with the 2-0 Olympians.

Geoff Morrow: Jim Thorpe 35, Pine Grove 21: If you’re gonna play against just one guy, Jim Thorpe probably isn’t the guy you want to face.

Related: Pine Grove preview

Williams Valley 35, Nativity BVM 34

Andy Shay: Williams Valley 37, Nativity BVM 12: The Vikings are to the point where they just want to outscore you and provide their fans as much splash and big plays as possible. They are fun to watch. Nativity is 2-0 but hasn’t faced a test like this.

Jake Adams: Williams Valley 35, Nativity BVM 13: I think the Vikings want to atone for finishing third in the last year of the Tri-Valley League. I see they averaged 12.2 yards a carry last week. That must feel nice.

Andy Sandrik: Williams Valley 28, Nativity BVM 24: Looks like it’s business as usual for the Vikings, who opened with a 54-0 win over Shenandoah Valley. I’m curious to see if unbeaten Nativity, which went 0-2 against TVL teams last year, can challenge Williams Valley. 

Geoff Morrow: Williams Valley 45, Nativity BVM 14: Pre-, mid- or post-pandemic, the Vikings are a safe bet to win football games.

Related: Williams Valley preview

2020 Preview: Palmyra

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2020 Preview: Palmyra

By Andy Sandrik: 

Coach: Chris Pope

Classification: 5A

League/division: Mid-Penn Keystone

2019 record: 4-6, 3-4 in Capital

Postseason: Did not qualify

RETURNING LEADERS:

Passing: Comp-Att., Yards, TD

Seth Robertson: 19-45, 190, 0

Rushing: Att-Yards., Avg., TD

Nick Wallaesa: 78-381, 4.9, 3

Receiving: Rec.-Yards, Avg., TD

Jacob Deimling: 12-113, 9.4, 1

Key Players: Jordan Blauch, Jr., OL-DL; Luke Gaughler, Jr., OL-DL; Tyler Shertzer, Sr.,TE-DL; Nick Wallaesa, Sr., RB-S; Seth Robertson, Sr., QB-S; Sam Landon, Sr., SS; Jacob Deimling, Jr., WR-CB; Jack Stretch, Sr., DE; Connor Holzman, Jr., OL-DL; John Eisenhooth, Jr., OL-DL; Kyle Chapin, So., OL-DL; Brady Holwig, Jr., LB; Alex Fuhrman, Jr., LB; Brady Coburn, Sr., CB; Tristan Murawski, Sr., WR-S; Max Klipa, Jr., WR; Richie Kowalski, Jr., RB-CB

OUTLOOK: Palmyra is the new kid on the block in the electric Keystone Division, where Cedar Cliff and Bishop McDevitt aim to remain supreme, but don’t expect the Cougars to blink against their top-tier competition. Pope believes his team’s stint in the Capital Division — against the likes of MPC powers Middletown, Steel-High, and Milton Hershey — will have the Cougars ready to play under the bright lights of the Keystone. Of course, being competitive in this division and winning are two different things. Palmyra has the skill players to put points on the board, and a defense that shouldn’t fall victim to too many big plays, but the wins and losses will likely come down to the Cougars’ play in the trenches, where they will be facing an uphill battle against the big boys of the Keystone.

3 THINGS TO KNOW

1. Perspective

Opening night of football in the Mid-Penn was supposed to be an intriguing, if not awkward, experience for Pope, a science teacher at Milton Hershey whose team was originally scheduled to play the Spartans.

 Now, as Pope preps his team for Hollidaysburg, he also finds himself looking at the season through the eyes of his Milton Hershey student-athletes, whose football season was halted due to risks associated with COVID-19.

 “I have a few of their players in class and, yeah, we talk about football,” Pope said. “They’re disappointed. They’d love to be competing.”

 Pope — a Hershey graduate who is in his 25th year on Palmyra’s coaching staff — said he understands and appreciates the challenges faced by Milton Hershey. It puts into perspective how lucky his squad, and others in the Mid-Penn, are to have the chance to play football.

 “We should be playing them today,” Pope said. “We’re fortunate to have the opportunity to play football. I see what the Milton Hershey kids are going through and I hope those seniors that have been working so hard get an opportunity to play some games.”

2. The Rooster, the Speedster, and the Battering Ram

 Pope says he has no idea how senior RB Nick “Rooster” Wallaesa got his nickname, but it gives us visions of Rocky Balboa chasing the shifty 5-6, 150-pound Wallaesa through the streets of Philadelphia.

 The slashing Wallaesa is expected to shoulder the load with the help of another gifted runner: QB Seth Robertson. This is Robertson’s first full-time campaign at quarterback, but he’s no stranger to the Palmyra offense as he got plenty of reps from the Wildcat package last fall, as well as a start in the final game of the season.

 Robertson’s raw speed will likely open up lanes for the Rooster to zig-zag through the front lines, and should also provide the QB opportunities to roll out and look for his primary targets: Jacob Deimling and Gage Miller, a recruit from the baseball team.

 It may be tempting for opposing defenses to stay light on their feet as to not get juked out by Palmyra’s speed, but that might prove to be a painful mistake as junior Tim Hall — who doubles as the Cougars’ defensive end — comes rumbling forward.

 “I think Seth being out there with Nick puts additional stress on the opposing defense,” Pope said. “With the additional element of two nice receivers, opponents will have to cover the whole field instead of honing in on one person.”

3. Laying it on the line

 Palmyra certainly has the skill players to cause headaches and defensively, with four of five members of the secondary returning, the Cougars have visions of hanging tough with Keystone Division juggernauts Cedar Cliff and Bishop McDevitt, two teams not shy about stretching out the field via the passing game.

 The biggest challenge for the Cougars comes up front, on both sides of the ball, where Palmyra returns one true starter, although a number of players got to see some reps in a 2019 season riddled with injuries. Look for Kyle Chapin, Jordan Blauch, Dan Steskel, Luke Gaughler and Jonathan Eisenhooth to man the OL spots.

 If the young line can quickly grow through its inexperience, the Cougars could be a bigger threat than expected in the Keystone.

 “We’re still working through the process, but I think our defense will be good,” Pope said. “A lot of our younger guys got a game or two of experience last year, but right now our skill guys are the most experienced.”

Vote Now: Player of the Week (Week 1)

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Vote Now: Player of the Week (Week 1)

By 4th Down staff:

Welcome to 4th Down Magazine’s vote for Player of the Week presented by Crown Trophy of Harrisburg (in Lemoyne).

The nominees for the week are listed below. Vote for the player with the most impressive performance.

The poll will remain open until Tuesday at 11 p.m. and voting is allowed once per hour. The winner will be announced on Wednesday.

CrownTrophy HorizontalLogo Color HbgLemoyne 11 19
  1. Cam Ochs, WR, Camp Hill: Hauled in three passes for 134 yards, and all three catches were for touchdowns (of 24, 65 and 45 yards) in a win over Line Mountain that was a tight 35-28 final
  2. Joey Corado, K-WR, Hershey: Nailed a 22-yard FG in the dying seconds of the fourth quarter to march the Trojans past Red Land 10-7. Senior also two catches for 50 yards receiving
  3. Micah Brubaker, QB, Mechanicsburg: Had a hand in all four Wildcats touchdowns in a 28-14 win over West Perry with two passing TDs and a pair of rushing touchdowns. He accounted for nearly 260 total yards (231 passing, 25 rushing) while completing 12-of-14 pass attempts.
  4. Lek Powell, QB, Bishop McDevitt: Powell displayed his proficient arm in Week 1 by going 24-36-0 for 336 yards and four TD passes in a 33-0 whitewash of Mifflin County.
  5. Timmy Smith, RB, Central Dauphin: The explosive senior totaled 200 yards and four touchdowns on 13 touches in 62-10 drubbing of Chambersburg. He got there with nine carries for 79 yards and a score, plus four grabs for 121 yards and three TDs.
  6. Julio Rodriguez, QB, Middleton: Rodriguez fired four TD tosses as the Blue Raiders disposed of Juniata 54-19. TD strikes came from 31, 51, 23 and 35 yards out. He finished 11-of-13 for 185 stripes.
  7. Joey Menke, RB, Boiling Springs: Menke’s 162 yards and three scores helped the Bubblers snap an 11-game losing streak dating back to 2018. He carried it 18 times, scoring on runs of 22, 13 and 48 yards during a 51-13 romp of Susquenita. 
  8. Marcus Day, RB, Altoona: A lot of credit goes to the maulers in front of him, but Day benefited nonetheless during a surprise 28-14 upset of Cumberland Valley. Day’s night ended with 23 carries, 188 yards on the ground plus 75 yards on 9-of-17 passing. And he scored on runs of 68 and 11 yards.
  9. Gannon McMeans, QB, Cedar Cliff: His strike to Ramon Garcia in double overtime wound up being key in a 35-34 victory over Berks Catholic. McMeans finished with three TD passes (55, 15 and 10 yards) and a 1-yard QB keeper, totalling 190 stripes on 14-of-24 passing.
  10. Odell Greene, RB, Steel-High: One of the closest to 200 rushing yards this week, Greene cracked 190 stripes on 18 totes, scoring on a 60-yard sprint in the third quarter of a 43-6 blowout of Upper Dauphin. Also added an 8-yard reception.
  11. Alex Erby, QB, Steel-High: Strong debut from the freshman, who finished 11-of-20 for 208 yards during the 43-6 home victory over UD. Erby pegged Tyrone Moore for a 28-yard score, Mehki Flowers twice for 31 and 3 yards and Damein Hammonds for a 36-yard TD.
  12. Adam Root, WR, Greencastle-Antrim: The Blue Devils pulled off an impressive 20-13 upset over Colonial newcomer Susquehanna Township. Root helped big time, hauling in 19-yard and 13-yard TD passes while finishing with five grabs for 73 stripes.
  13. Brody Robinson, LB, Pine Grove: While Robinson put on a defensive show by making a school-record 21 tackles yet it wasn’t enough to prevent the Cardinals’ 16-9 setback to Schuylkill 1 playmate Jim Thorpe. What makes Robinson’s mark even more astounding was the previous single-game record (19) was set only a week earlier by Josh Leininger.
  14. Jesse Engle, TE, Williams Valley: Engle had a splendid five-day stretch, totaling 11 receptions for 260 yards as the Vikings split road games with Mount Carmel (43-28 loss) and Nativity BVM (35-34 win). By the way, five of Engle’s receptions went for touchdowns, three against Mount Carmel and two in a come-from-behind win at Nativity.
  15.  Bryce Herb, QB, Williams Valley: Herb also was mighty busy during the Vikings’ split with Mount Carmel and Nativity, completing 25 passes for 568 yards and a handful of scores. The 6-foot senior also cracked over from a yard out midway through the final quarter of Saturday night’s win at Nativity as Tim Savage’s Vikings punctuated a 35-34 Schuylkill 2 win by roaring back from an early 21-0 deficit.

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2020 Preview: Susquehanna Twp.

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2020 Preview: Susquehanna Twp.

By Adam Kulikowski: 

Coach: Joe Headen

Classification: 4A

Division: Mid-Penn Colonial

2019 season:  7-4 (4-2 Keystone)

Postseason: Lost to Bishop McDevitt 21-7 in the District 3 Class 4A first round.

Stat leaders not available

Key Players: Owen Wiener, sr., HB-LB; Kylee Page, sr., OL-DL; Bilal Weidler, sr., RB-DB; Mikey Reese, sr., RB-LB; Jamaal Minifield, jr., OL-DL; Donald Leach, sr., QB

Outlook: The Indians enter the Colonial Division as immediate contenders to dethrone perennial powerhouse Shippensburg. While the Greyhounds should be considered the favorites, Joe Headen’s crew will have plenty to say about who stakes their flag at the top of the hill at the end of the regular season. 

  1. Move to the Colonial: A new slate of opponents pepper the Indians’ slate as the team transitions from the Keystone Division to the Colonial. Headen and his crew won’t have to prepare for the spread offenses of Cedar Cliff and Bishop McDevitt — no, now they have new problems to scheme against including Northern’s punch-you-in-the-face running attack, and the famed Wing-T run by several Colonial clubs. “It will be interesting for us as coaches because we need to put in more work,” Headen said. “It is different coordinators and different offensive schemes. We spent a lot of time this summer just making sure we understood what we wanted to do so that once the season starts we could focus on what our opponents are doing.” 
  2. Turning over the reins: Joe Headen turned the reins of the Indians’ offense over to senior quarterback Donald Leach. In an offseason in which on-the-field preparation was limited due to COVID-19 restrictions, Leach’s experience in the offense playing and learning behind three-year starter Rashaad Carlson should pay dividends. “Donald brings a lot of experience. Even though he didn’t get a ton of playing time, he’s been around for a while,” Headen said. “He doesn’t get shook, he doesn’t wear his emotions on his sleeve. He understands concepts. He isn’t going to ‘wow’ you by his physicality — he’s a long, skinny kid, and you’ll think he is lanky. But at the end of the day, he’ll manage the game and get the job done. “
  3. Endurance over strength: A four-month stretch where teams were not allowed to conduct offseason strength training resulted in less gains in the weight room, according to Headen. That forced the Indians to adjust their game plan as the team progressed through camp. “If you are not going to be as strong as you want to be, the one thing you can do is to make sure you are in shape,” Headen said. “We want to make sure that we’re able to endure the season. When you are fatigued, that’s when it seems that the injures take place.” 

News and Notes: Mid-Penn Liberty Division

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News and Notes: Mid-Penn Liberty Division

By Michael Bullock: 

1. Juniata hoping to reverse recent road track record

While Juniata struggled a season ago when playing outside Mifflintown, Kurt Condo’s Indians hope to forget about the not-so-distant past by authoring some more positive history. Well, let’s just say it won’t be easy as a Juniata program makes its Mid-Penn Conference entrance. And any time the schedule maker says you’re headed for Memorial Field in Middletown to play the Blue Raiders, that’s a daunting proposition. Although Middletown’s string of appearances in PIAA Class 3A championship games ended in 2018, Brett Myers’ program (10-2 in 2019) still has impressive skill-position players in place such as quarterback Tony Powell and the running back combo of Tymir Jackson and Tajae Broadie. What makes things difficult for Juniata is all three players can run and all three possess terrific size. Juniata (4-7 in 2020) will operate behind dual-threat QB Jacob Condo (nearly 1,700 yards of offense and 21 touchdowns), while backs Caleb Seeger, Trent Martin and Jace White offer a blend of speed and guard-sized power. Should the Indians opt to put the ball in the air, 6-foot-4 wideout Manny O’Donnell can go and get it. Since Juniata is slated to play its first four away from home, let’s see if the Indians can turn around the 1-6 road mark Condo & Co. assembled in 2020.

2. Upper Dauphin to collide with Steel-High

Imagine closing one season against eventual PIAA Class 2A champion Southern Columbia and opening the next on the road at perennial hammer Steel-High (8-3 in 2019). Welcome to Upper Dauphin’s space in Pennsylvania’s high school world. Yet even though Kent Smeltz’s Trojans (12-1) spent last season winning the Tri-Valley League’s final championship, they also collared a District 3 Class 2A title before running into a Southern squad featuring six Division I athletes just in the senior class. Also notable is UD watched 18 youngsters hang up their orange-and-black tinted duds for the final time — including all-state QB Macklin Ayers. What’s different about the Trojans is the first year of their comprehensive cooperative arrangement with neighboring Millersburg. Although a number of experienced linemen will toil in front of first-year quarterback Tyler Cleveland, UD will benefit from the presence of former Millersburg standouts Chance Crawford and Kyle Casner. The Trojans might have had another versatile threat in former ‘Burg Swiss Army knife Caden Feaster, but the diminutive senior tore his ACL during a preseason look and is lost for the season. Steel-High has an assortment of athletic skill players all sporting high flammability levels in running back Odell Greene as well as wide receivers Mehki Flowers and Tyrone Moore. Trying to unnerve freshman quarterback Alex Erby may be one tactic Upper Dauphin puts in play, but Rollers skipper Andrew Erby Sr. undoubtedly has a counter in mind. What will be interesting to see is how Cleveland responds against a Steel-High defensive group that likes to use single coverage while sending everyone else after the QB.

News and Notes: Schuylkill League

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News and Notes: Schuylkill League

By Michael Bullock: 

1. Hectic pace continues for Williams Valley’s Vikings

Playing for the third time in eight days — after spending some time sidelined by a COVID-19 flare-up — Williams Valley (1-1, 1-0 Schuylkill 2) will travel to Saint Clair on Friday night to take on Nativity (2-0, 1-0) in a Schuylkill 2 clash that could double as a possible District 11 Class 1A playoff preview. While Tim Savage’s Vikings opened with a convincing 54-0 thumping of Shenandoah Valley — Hunter Wolfgang rushed for 104 yards and three scores on just six carries, while Bryce Herb tossed a pair of touchdown passes — as the reigning 11-A champions coasted to a season-opening victory. Four nights later at Mount Carmel’s historic Silver Bowl, Williams Valley tumbled 43-28 to the host Red Tornadoes (1-0). Jesse Engle had a monster night for the Vikes, catching seven passes for 213 yards and three TDs. Herb finished with 322 yards passing, completing 13 of his 31 attempts for three scores and three interceptions. Engle also put on a show defensively, totaling 12 tackles, including 10 solo stops against a Mount Carmel side that rolled up 332 yards on the ground. Nativity opened the 2020 season Sept. 11, defeating crosstown rival Pottsville 31-21. Pat Mason’s Green Wave backed up that season-opening victory by defeating Pequea Valley 27-23.

2. Pine Grove chasing first victory

Victimized in the second half for the second consecutive weekend, Pine Grove (0-2, 0-1 Schuylkill 1) dropped a 41-19 decision to North Schuylkill in the teams’ first encounter since last season’s District 11 Class 3A playoff game. Josh Leininger fired three touchdown passes for Frank Gaffney’s Cardinals, who trailed 21-13. Two of those touchdown passes went to Shea Morgan, who set a single-game school record by pocketing 10 catches. Dalton Geesey snared the other touchdown reception for the visiting Cardinals. Jake Hall threw four touchdown passes to lead North Schuylkill (2-0, 1-0) — Hall finished with 264 passing yards — while the Spartans also scored on a blocked punt return. Up next for the Cardinals is a road date with unbeaten Jim Thorpe (2-0, 1-0), which owns road victories over Marian Catholic (43-0) and Schuylkill 1 playmate Blue Mountain (22-21). 

2020 Preview: State College Little Lions

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By Andy Sandrik: 

Coach: Matt Lintal

Classification: 6A

League/division: Mid-Penn Commonwealth

2019 record: 11-2, 6-1 in Commonwealth

Postseason: Lost to Central Catholic 24-21, in the PIAA quarterfinal

RETURNING LEADERS:

Passing: Comp-Att., Yards, TD

Conrad Moore: 8-20, 150, 1

Rushing: Att.,- Yards, Avg., TD

Dresyn Green: 196-1,204, 6.1, 19

Receiving: Rec.,-Yards, Avg., TD

Conrad Moore: 9-157, 17.4, 1

Key Players: Dresyn Green, Sr., RB-DB; Sammy Knipe, Sr., DB-HB-WR; Carson Franks, Sr., DB-WR; Conrad Moore, Sr., QB-DB; Stevie Guthoff, Sr., DE; RB Nehemiah Howell, Sr., RB; Ryan Domico, Jr., LB-RB; Jashaun Green, Jr., WR; Kyle Kurzinger, Jr., DE-HB; Brady Bendik, Jr., DE-HB; Stephen Scourtis, So., DE-HB

OUTLOOK: Even as we publish this preview, there is still no guarantee that State College will play a single game this fall. The season hinges on not only the responsibility of the players, but also their classmates and community as well. Assuming the Little Lions play games this fall, they will be doing so in the unforgiving Commonwealth Division, without the services of 12 graduated players who are now playing at the collegiate level. That’s not to say State College still can’t contend. Lintal’s squad returns a top-tier running back in Green and a swarming defense that can use its size to wear down opponents. Those two factors, along with the potential of QB Moore, will once again make the Little Lions a tough out for every opponent in the division.

3 THINGS TO KNOW
1. To play or not to play: State College is located in Centre County, home of Pennsylvania’s highest COVID-19 infection rate: 12.1% as of the start of Week 1. Lintal’s Little Lions have been jumping through every hoop and recently had a big off-the-field victory, which came in the form of a 7-2 vote from the school board to allow school sports this fall. State College’s decisions hinges on two conditions: The Little Lions being enrolled in full-time virtual learning, and the school itself meeting guidelines to have on-person learning.

“We’re obviously thrilled to have the opportunity, but there’s still a lot up in the air on a week-to-week basis,” Lintal said. “Our kids have been phenomenal with the way they’ve endured everything.

This is a trying time for all of these players, having to sit at home on Fridays watching our neighboring schools and teams in the district play. It’s tough.” Lintal, who doubles as a school counselor, understands that there are not only physical risks from playing football in the COVID era, but also mental consequences if the team does not play. “I don’t think anyone signed up for 2020, but that’s kind of where we’re at right now,” Lintal said. “It’s tough to make parenting decisions, let alone school decisions that affect a lot of people. I don’t envy the school officials having to make these calls, but I do know what the kids need for their emotional state of mind. Our kids are better together.”

2. Lions turn to first-year QB, experienced RB: Senior Conrad Moore has already proven himself as a competitive wide receiver, an elite high-jumper (recorded a leap of 6-foot-9 as a sophomore), and one of the brightest minds in the Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division (4.5 GPA). The question now is: Can Moore play quarterback? After seeing Moore take QB reps in practice and in game situations last year, Lintal is confident in his signal-caller.

“Conrad can run, throw, jump, catch and play defense,” Lintal said. “He’s a dynamic player with a great skill set, who is a great young man as well. I’m hoping that we will be given a chance to show him off this year.”

While Moore settles into the role, State College will be looking to RB Dresyn Green to help shoulder the load. Green is coming off back-to-back seasons of 1,000 yards and average 6.1 yards per carry last season. Lintal calls Green the toughest football player he’s ever coached. “It’s just the way he plays the game,” Lintal said. “Whether he’s carrying the ball, being the lead blocker, carrying out a fake, or making a tackle, he does not take a play off and plays in such a physical manner that he’s always going to get that extra yard and always going to put that extra effort into every play.”

3. Defense ready to “fly”: With DB Sammy Knipe and LB Ryan Domico patrolling the defense, Lintal feels really good about his team’s ability to slow down and stop opposing offenses this fall. Knipe, a Navy recruit, is larger than most high school athletes playing safety and is able to get his 6-1, 220-pound frame around the field in a hurry.

“He’s a tremendous safety,” Lintal said. “He’s just a force who covers so much ground, has ball skills, is physical and can stop the run.” Knipe will certainly be ready to make plays if the ball gets past Domico. That’s a big if. Like Knipe, Domico brings the 4.5-second 40-yard dash speed to the table and has a physical style of play to complement his game. “It’s tough to sneak one past him,” Lintal said. “Ryan is so instinctive and plays the game in such a physical manner. He just flies all over the field and has had a tremendous start to the season.”

Lintal also likes the play of DB Carson Franks, who he calls a “twin” of Knipe, and has growing enthusiasm for a completely revamped defensive front. What once was an area of concern after heavy graduation losses, the defensive line could end up being a strength by the end of the season. Lintal cites the play of DL Stevie Guthoff, DL Kyle Kurzinger, DE Stephen Scourtis and DL Emerson Martin, a transfer from North Carolina who checks in at 6-5, 245 pounds.

2020 Preview: Greencastle-Antrim

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By Andy Sandrik: 

Coach: Devin McCauley

Classification: 4A

League/division: Mid-Penn Colonial

2019 record: 1-9, 0-6 in Colonial

Postseason: Did not qualify

RETURNING LEADERS:

Passing: Comp-Att., Yards, TD

Zach Cole: 95-212, 1,386, 10

Rushing: Att.,-Yards, Avg., TD

David Niebauer: 183-762, 4.2, 0

Receiving: Rec.,-Yards, Avg., TD

Adam Root: 33-807, 24.5, 6

David Niebauer: 26-204, 7.8, 0

Key Players: Adam Root, Sr., WR; David Niebauer, Jr., RB; Zach Cole, Sr., QB; Isaiah Toney-Mayhugh, Sr., RB; Landon Searles, Sr., G-DT; Taylor Conrad, Jr., LB-QB; Ethan Shan, Jr., DB; Jake Kumfert, Jr., G; Blaine Ocker, Sr., G-DT; Levi Bingaman, Jr., WR-CB;  Bruce Lepore, Sr., LB

OUTLOOK: It’s going to be really easy for opponents to look at Greencastle’s one-win season from last year and mark the Blue Devils down as an automatic win. That would be a mistake. Greencastle returns 15 starters, most of whom were back in the weight room within days of the conclusion of last year’s hard season.

Wins will still be hard to come by for the Blue Devils, but look for McCauley’s boys to move up from the Colonial Division basement, and don’t be surprised if Greencastle finds itself in position to spring an upset or two, perhaps with a big boot from the leg of Kirkwood.

3 THINGS TO KNOW
1. Long-range threat: Perhaps the best college prospect on the Greencastle squad is kicker Nate Kirkwood, who was named First Team in the Colonial Division as a sophomore last fall. In his first season on a football field, Kirkwood knocked four out of five field goal attempts through the uprights, including three from more 40 yards. He was also reliable on extra-point attempts, banging in 18 of 21 tries.

As McCauley tells the story, Kirkwood was a “soccer kid” who had never kicked before. He entered Greencastle’s kicking competition against a quality opponent and ran away with the job.
Kirkwood has a career-long field goal of 45 yards, and McCauley indicated that he won’t shy away from giving his kicker chances to put points on the board from even longer distances.

“We feel Nate has potential for the next level,” McCauley said. “It’s nice to have a weapon like this with pretty good range, where we know we can get some points any time we pass the 40.”

Kirkwood, who comes from a military family and has eyes on an academy, has made unofficial visits with Air Force and Navy.

 2. “Most athletic group we’ve had in years:” Greencastle won’t be favored in a lot of its division games, but with the talent the Blue Devils have returned for this fall, it’s hard to imagine that McCauley’s boys won’t, at the very least, have a puncher’s chance.

Greencastle brings back all three of its statistical leaders: junior RB David Niebauer, senior QB Zach Cole and senior WR Adam Root. Niebauer is a threat for a 1,000-yard season, and could have even more room to run if the Cole-to-Root connection continues to flourish.

“Niebauer is a tough, strong kid who can see the ball well,” McCauley said. “Zach is big, and strong and throws the ball well, and Root can high-point the ball as good as anyone. He’s worked on his route running, he’s good and fast, and he spreads the field well.”

McCauley added that we will likely know sophomore RB Tavon Cooper’s name by the end of the season, and that senior RB Cameron Medina, a transfer from Frederick (Maryland), will also see some time. Taylor Conrad, Greencastle’s starting middle linebacker, is a capable back-up QB who poses a threat as both a runner and passer.

“Our offensive line has also matured physically, so we’re excited to have all of this to build on,” McCauley said. “Last year we were a one-trick pony, but now we have various ways to spread out the attack. This is the most athletic group we’ve had in years.”

3. Defense seeks improvement: If you want to boil Greencastle’s 1-9 record from 2019 down to the simplest of explanations, you can start with this: the Blue Devils allowed 42.6 points per game last season. Even if Greencastle’s offensive fixtures perform beyond their expectations, wins will still be hard to come by if the Blue Devils can’t find a way to make more stops. McCauley is looking for his big guys up front to clog the gaps, so Conrad can make plays from his linebacker spot.

“He’s a difference maker in the middle,” McCauley said. “He’s a quiet player, but he makes plays. He’s football savvy and is the heart and soul of our defense.”

Greencastle, which will be looking to get a boost with the transfer of senior LB Bruce Lepore from Waynesboro, is hoping that last season’s baptism under fire will pay dividends this fall. “I think the kids understand their responsibilities better,” McCauley said. “We’re talking about knowing our assignments, being agressive and tackling.”

2020 Preview: Waynesboro Indians

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2020 Preview: Waynesboro Indians

By Andy Sandrik: 

Coach: Josh Sprenkle

Classification: 5A

League/division: Mid-Penn Colonial

2019 record: 5-6, 4-2 in Colonial

Postseason: Lost to Manheim Central in the first round of the District 3-5A playoffs

RETURNING LEADERS:

Passing: Comp-Att., Yards, TD

Chance Eyler: 21-54., 274, 3

Rushing: Att.,-Yards, Avg., TD

Aidan Mencia: 158-1,039, 6.6, 13

Mikel Holden: 148-773, 5.2, 4

Receiving: Rec.-Yards., Avg., TD

Kareem Sims: 6-85, 14.2, 0

Mikel Holden: 8-82, 10.3, 2

Key Players: Aidan Mencia, Jr., HB-SS; Mikel Holden, So., FB; Chance Eyler, Sr., QB; Gunner Lesher, Sr., OL; Brandon Truillo, Sr., OL-DL; Callin Kauffman, Jr., LB; Brody Rhodes, Jr., DB-WR; Rhyan Day, Jr., CB-WR; Isaiah Reed, Sr., DE; Jesse Julius, Jr., LB-RB

RETURNING LEADERS:

OUTLOOK: Win, lose, or draw, it’s hard not to play against Waynesboro without returning home bruised and bloody. The Indians aren’t built to light up the scoreboard. Instead they set out with the goal of doing damage and breaking opponents until the want-to disappears from the opposition in the fourth quarter. This is the exact mentality needed to withstand a season in the beefed-up Colonial Division, which prides itself on hard-nosed football. We don’t see Waynesboro winning the division outright, but if Colonial giants Shippensburg, Susquehanna Township and Mechanicsburg beat up on each other as expected, a two-loss Indians squad could find itself celebrating a share of the title.

3 THINGS TO KNOW
1. Thunder & Thunder: It wouldn’t be accurate to call junior Aiden Mencia and sophomore Mikel Holden “complementary” backs because they both do exactly the same thing — punch opposing defenses right in the mouth.
The backs combined for more than 2,000 yards last season, and Sprenkle said both backs are clearly ready for more bone-shattering downhill running. Menci gained 15 pounds in the offseason and should be even more of a wrecking ball this fall.

“We had an intrersquad scrimmage on Saturday and there’s certain kids where you’re not sure how they’ll do,” Sprenkle said. “But with these two, you exactly what you’ll get: Going hard every single play.” With a less experienced offensive line, Waynesboro will need its straight-ahead runners to dig a little bit deeper to earn their yards until the boys up front — including three sophomore linemen — can work out the kinks.

With Mencia and Holden providing the thunder, Waynesboro will be seeking for someone else to provide that lighting. Junior Louie Lindsay, a transfer from Smithsburg (Maryland), entered training camp as a QB prospect but could very well be the RB that runs past the defenses bracing for the big hits from Mencia/Holden. “He does well running the football, even if not at QB,” Sprenkle said. “We’re not running a two-QB system, but Lindsay will definitely be involved with the offense in some sort.”

 2. High-ceiling prospects: Coach Sprenkle has a knack for recruiting players from outside the football program, and putting them in positions to be playmakers for the Indians on the gridiron. Senior Daniel Norona, a first-year player from Waynesboro’s basketball team, has worked his way into the starting lineup as the Indians’ No. 2 receiver. Standing at 6-foot-1, Norona has already proven he can snag rebounds, now we will see if he can also pull down fade passes from the corner of the end zone.

“We wish he would have played football all through high school, but we’re happy to have him here now,” Sprenkle said. “He’s a fast, natural route runner who is showing flashes of really good football talent.

He’s been able to make plays even after getting hit, so he’s showing us toughness. He’s not scared to run anywhere on the field.” On the defensive side of the ball, Sprenkle noted junior OLB Jesse Julius, mostly a special teams player last season, has earned a “seat at the table” for the starting defensive unit.

 “Julius put on 30 pounds of muscle, mostly in his legs, he’s definitely a prospect,” Sprenkle said. “He’s also Mikel Holden’s backup at fullback. If Holden wasn’t Holden, Julius would be our starting fullback.”

3. Student vs. teacher: If Sprenkle had to name one “best friend” from the opposing ranks of the Colonial Division, chances are he’d immediately mention Shippensburg head coach Eric Foust.
The coaches text constantly, share film and intel, and even went golfing a few weeks ago. All of this camaraderie, of course, should come as no surprise considering Sprenkle spent seven years on Foust’s staff, including a stint as the Greyhounds’ defensive coordinator.
 

“My experience at Shippensburg meant a lot,” Sprenkle said. “I learned a lot from Eric and his dad, and from being with my high school coach Kevin Gustafson. The Ship coaching staff operates cohesively because the staff has remained intact. The guys show up and do their jobs, while you do yours. That’s what I’m trying to build at Waynesboro.”

There will likely be an awkward moment when Sprenkle and Foust come face-to-face at Waynesboro’s Rip Engle Sports Complex when their teams kick off the season Sept. 25. Shippensburg is the preseason favorite to win the Colonial Division, but Waynesboro still likes its chances to bounce back from last year’s 28-7 loss to the Greyhounds.

“That game was early in the season with a younger team,” Sprenkle said. “Mencia fumbled twice, and both fumbles were returned for touchdowns. He’ll be looking to redeem himself, and the other kids will definitely be looking to prove something in Week 1. … This is the only day of the year where I won’t talk with Eric. We will probably just shake hands and go about our business.”

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