| 11. | Steel-High | 0-0 | NR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Never wanting for weapons, the key for Steel-High in 2022 will be tied to the half-dozen vets who roam the offensive and defensive fronts. Never the bright-lights side of the ball, how this defense performs will be the difference-maker later down the line. | ||||
| 10. | Shippensburg | 0-0 | NR | |
| So, the Greyhounds are edging toward being able to possibly straight-up outscore teams on a weekly basis with all the weapons coming back — including the most prolific QB-WR combo numbers-wise in the Mid-Penn Conference. We know their coach still loves his defensive football, but that will most likely resemble more of a work-in-progress to start. | ||||
| 9. | Manheim Central | 0-0 | NR | |
| The house of horrors for most teams known as Elden Rettew Field will be host to seven of the 10 regular-season home games for the Barons in 2022, including five in a row during one stretch. New QB and that brings questions about the offense into play, but this defense will carry the load early and be a force all season. | ||||
| 8. | Cumberland Valley | 0-0 | NR | |
| Nearly clawed its way into the District 3 playoff party a year ago with a .500 record. Still has a killer schedule, but year No. 3 for Eagles skipper and alumnus Josh Oswalt feels more like mastering the direction he is taking the program instead of learning it. Big difference. | ||||
| 7. | Lampeter-Strasburg | 0-0 | NR | |
| Nearly rocked the District 3 playoffs by knocking off Bishop McDevitt in the Class 4A title game and will be back to take another crack this year. They are looking for answers at a few skill positions, but the horses up front are grizzled and experienced. Pencil them as a legitimate contender. | ||||
| 6. | Wyomissing | 0-0 | NR | |
| Another District 3 championship and a run at another PIAA title are in the cards. Part of the killer new-look Section 4 in the new-look L-L. They will garner more week-to-week competition, and that will only help their cause. | ||||
| 5. | Solanco | 0-0 | NR | |
| This squad has been knocking down L-L Section II doors the last couple seasons, and with 20-plus experienced seniors on their roster the Mules’ time is now. In the new-look L-L, they are the heavy Section III favorites and a double-digit win total at the end of the trail is more likely than not. | ||||
| 4. | Wilson | 0-0 | NR | |
| They will have all fresh faces in the backfield at the quarterback and running back positions from a year ago. The defending L-L Section I champions are still pretty stocked up front offensively, and do you ever see the Bulldogs play bad football defensively with any consistency? Me, neither. | ||||
| 3. | Exeter Township | 0-0 | NR | |
| There is very good reason to have some questions about the Eagles’ defense — it wasn’t great overall during that magical run last year — but they still have some weapons on offense and they do rather enjoy making the scoreboard roll. | ||||
| 2. | Harrisburg | 0-0 | NR | |
| So the off-the-field preseason distraction of its head coach being shelved from the sidelines until Sept. 11 does not impact what the Cougars have cooking. This is a better overall team than it was a year ago, and that will be easy to see. | ||||
| 1. | Bishop McDevitt | 0-0 | NR | |
| This is still very much a championship caliber roster at the highest level, and the goals and aspirations of the Crusaders are in line with the speed, talent and athleticism. | ||||
Preseason Elite 11
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