RECORDS (Last week — Overall):
Andy Shay: 20-7 — 62-22
Andy Sandrik: 19-8 — 57-27
Geoff Morrow: 19-8 — 54-30
Adam Kulikowski: 15-12 — 51-33
Friday
Green Street Academy at James Buchanan, 6:30
Andy Shay: Green Street Academy 28, James Buchanan 14: I’d give the Rockets a fair shot in this one. Do they have enough firepower to keep up, I wonder?
Geoff Morrow: Green Street Academy 39, James Buchanan 15: The Baltimore charter school was only founded in 2010, but the Chargers’ football program quickly found a winning formula, albeit against lower-level competition. Rockets will likely have their hands full.
Andy Sandrik: Green Street Academy 42, James Buchanan 7: These Pa. and Md. matchups always throw for me a loop, but I’ll go with the Chargers, who opened their season earlier this month with a 66-0 win.
Adam Kulikowski: Green Street Academy 47, James Buchanan 13: The Chargers trek in from Baltimore with a 66-0 victory in their opening week in hand. Dropping 30 first-quarter points against PACE says they have some gents who could give the Rockets fits.
Bishop McDevitt at Palmyra, 7
Andy Shay: Bishop McDevitt 49, Palmyra 7: Crusaders were off with COVID-19 last week, and Palmyra picked up a win on Monday night. That’s enough right there to make McD a heavy favorite alone.
Geoff Morrow: Bishop McDevitt 47, Palmyra 14: Tough spot for the Cougars coming off a short week. That and the supremely talented Crusaders are champing at the bit to get back out on the gridiron.
Andy Sandrik: Bishop McDevitt 44, Palmyra 7: Congrats to the Cougars on landing that first win last week. This test against Bishop McDevitt, though, will be much, much harder.
Adam Kulikowski: Bishop McDevitt 48, Palmyra 7: Crusaders are set to return after missing a week due to COVID issues. The ‘Dub is their cross to bear.
Boiling Springs at Mechanicsburg, 7
Andy Shay: Boiling Springs 27, Mechanicsburg 14: Love when teams have to pick up the COVID-19 game-wrecking pieces and just say, “Let’s go play!’ This is a good matchup for both teams. The Wildcats will ask questions of the Bubblers that haven’t been asked this season. And Boiling Springs will have most of the answers.
Geoff Morrow: Boiling Springs 25, Mechanicsburg 14: Minimal history between these Cumberland County programs, though both athletic departments deserve praise for hustling to get this game scheduled. Bubblers have earned the pick, but Wildcats will be a tough out and are more than capable of undoing the bubbling momentum.
Andy Sandrik: Boiling Springs 28, Mechanicsburg 21: I think the Bubbs have done enough to be favorites on the road. Mechanicsburg’s defense, however, will keep this game within reach.
Adam Kulikowski: Boiling Springs 28, Mechanicsburg 27: Another week, another last-minute matchup that has plenty of intrigue. I have to say, I do enjoy the off-the-menu matchups that the COVID chaos creates, though I hate that it comes at the expense of teams struggling with the pandemic.
- Vote Now: Mid-Penn Conference Player of the Week Sponsored by Vertical Raise PA
- Ranking the Dynasty: Where do the ’23 Rollers stack up in the long and storied winning legacy at Steel-High?
- Steel-High stifles Fort Cherry 42-8 en route to PIAA Class 1A Championship plus Making the Grade analysis from Andy Shay
- Pennsylvania high school football playoffs: Scores, highlights from PIAA state championships
- Mid-Penn Conference Player of the Week for PIAA Semifinals sponsored by Vertical Raise PA: Alex Erby
CD East at Altoona, 7
Andy Shay: CD East 21, Altoona 14: For me, this matchup all comes down to whether the CDE defense can slow down the Mountain Lions’ run game enough to be a difference-maker. Altoona is unbeaten and will be a test, but it’s nothing the Panthers haven’t already seen.
Geoff Morrow: CD East 23, Altoona 16: Potential here to be one of the better games of the week. Unlike a lot of Harrisburg-area programs, Panthers don’t seem too fazed by a trip to Altoona. Something about that Horseshoe Curve sucks the soul from those who aren’t prepared.
Andy Sandrik: Altoona 28, CD East 20: The Mountain Lions seem comfortable in deep water, winning two straight games by one possession. I get the sense they can outlast CD East in a close game. Of course, the great equalizer is the Panthers’ defense, which has gotten stronger every week.
Adam Kulikowski: CD East 28, Altoona 27: Love this test for both teams. We know CD East presents plenty of speed on defense. Is that enough to slow down Mrs. 4th Down’s Mountain Lions?
Cumberland Valley at Carlisle, 7
Andy Shay: Cumberland Valley 17, Carlisle 14: Something tells me the Eagles are turning a corner. And for all the Herd’s early season fireworks, the opposition hasn’t provided enough of a test to have Carlisle ready for the CV defense. I respect Carlisle’s D as well.
Geoff Morrow: Carlisle 22, Cumberland Valley 20: When the Herd last beat CV way back in 2004, TikTok was simply the sound clocks made, “Friday Night Lights” was a brand-new movie starring the guy from Dawson’s Creek, and Doja Cat was 9 years old. This could be legendary for the Thundering Herd. Or it could be 17 in a row for the Eagles.
Andy Sandrik: Carlisle 26, Cumberland Valley 22: Like many of you, I was quite surprised to see CV knock off Spring-Ford last week. I expect this game to be close, but I’m leaning toward a well-stocked Carlisle squad that has a metric ton of old scores to settle in the Commonwealth. It starts with CV, which has won 16 straight against the Herd.
Adam Kulikowski: Cumberland Valley 24, Carlisle 21: The Eagles are coming off a wild victory against a stout Spring-Ford club. Eagles have the defense needed to keep the root beer flowing for one more week.
Chambersburg at State College, 7
Andy Shay: State College 35, Chambersburg 14: The Trojans have been taking steps forward, but not sure they’ve taken enough to go 48 minutes with the Little Lions. I still think it’s a close game at halftime, though.
Geoff Morrow: State College 35, Chambersburg 20: Speaking of long droughts, I can’t even find the last time the Trojans beat the Little Lions, if ever. This could be an interesting game, though, if the confident Trojans start fast and the hosts get sloppy.
Andy Sandrik: State College 30, Chambersburg 21: Gotta love the hustle from Chambersburg, which is off to two wins in three tries, but it’s going to take quite an effort for the Trojans to steal a road win from SC.
Adam Kulikowski: State College 37, Chambersburg 14: For the Trojans to come out on top, they will need to handily win the turnover battle. The Little Lions have lost five fumbles over their first three games.
Greencastle-Antrim at East Pennsboro, 7
Andy Shay: East Pennsboro 34, Greencastle-Antrim 27: Nobody in the MPC has made a bigger jump out of the gate this season than the Blue Devils. If they keep this game in a box, they will win. The lightning rod for the Panthers, Sy Burgos, is the difference-maker.
Geoff Morrow: East Pennsboro 24, Greencastle-Antrim 16: It’s tough to imagine one player making such a dramatic difference in the ultimate team sport like football, but, hey, the numbers don’t lie for Burgos & East Penn. Though Blue Devils will be ornery.
Andy Sandrik: East Pennsboro 41, Greencastle-Antrim 24: You might not remember Greencastle’s season-ending win over East Penn, but I’ll bet the Panthers do.
Adam Kulikowski: East Pennsboro 38, Greencastle-Antrim 28: The return of Sy Burgos completely changed the offensive makeup of the Panthers, and that bodes well for the boys in Enola.
Halifax at Trinity, 7
Andy Shay: Trinity 42, Halifax 0: So the T-Rocks have been in choppy waters since the opening week bombshell they dropped. This will get them back on course, no problem.
Geoff Morrow: Trinity 59, Halifax 6: If my math is correct, this foursome of “experts” is now 0-8 in picking Trinity football games. Barring forfeit, we will be 4-8 after this weekend.
Andy Sandrik: Trinity 49, Halifax 0: Much respect to Upper Dauphin, which humbled all the experts with its win over Trinity last week. None of this is good news for Halifax.
Adam Kulikowski: Trinity 45, Halifax 7: Sometimes you just need a week to regroup, gather yourself and continue to define your identity. The ‘Rocks have that opportunity this week with a depleted Halifax squad on deck.
Harrisburg at Governor Mifflin, 7
Andy Shay: Governor Mifflin 28, Harrisburg 21: Well, how about this last-minute matchup for a ring-the-bell game? Harrisburg will show up, and this will be a test the Mustangs know is coming and are prepared for. The Mifflin OL is a difference maker.
Geoff Morrow: Governor Mifflin 35, Harrisburg 28: It’s tempting to pick the Cougars if only because they’re the most fearless bunch in the state. But the newly crowned No. 1 Mustangs have been ridiculously impressive in trouncing early (and capable) competition. No trouncing here, as this is a spectacular last-minute matchup.
Andy Sandrik: Harrisburg 26, Governor Mifflin 25: It doesn’t matter if you ask the Cougars to play on another planet, they’re going to show up ready to give you a game.
Adam Kulikowski: Governor Mifflin 33, Harrisburg 31: The Mustangs aren’t going to beat you through the air — GM has less than 60 passing yards in three contests — but that dude, Nick Singleton, sure can be a one-man destructor.
Lower Dauphin at Mifflin County, 7
Andy Shay: Lower Dauphin 20, Mifflin County 7: If nothing else, LD has shown toughness and fight this season. And, in this game, that will be enough to make it two in a row.
Geoff Morrow: Lower Dauphin 23, Mifflin County 8: LD closed last season with a triumph over the Huskies, ending a dreadful losing skid for the boys from Hummelstown. I think MiffCo’s defense will keep it close, but until the Huskies sniff out the end zone on an even occasional basis, it’s tough to pick ‘em.
Andy Sandrik: Lower Dauphin 21, Mifflin County 7: All signs point to a road victory for the Falcons, who are facing a MiffCo squad averaging 2.67 points per game.
Adam Kulikowski: Lower Dauphin 28, Mifflin County 7: With just one win since 2019, last week’s victory had to be sweet. The Falcons should be on a winning streak by Saturday morning.
Milton Hershey at Hershey, 7
Andy Shay: Milton Hershey 28, Hershey 14: It’s pretty obvious Hershey struggles to score. The Spartans are not exactly lighting it up defensively, either. Trojans’ defense has been solid and will continue to be, but the Spartans have enough pop to get what they need.
Geoff Morrow: Hershey 14, Milton Hershey 13: Spartans have won five of the last six Cocoa Bean Bowls, the legendary series which skipped last year with Milton Hershey canceling its season. Even in defeat, I think Hershey gained some confidence last week, while the Spartans, who SHOULD be favorites here, seem to still be figuring things out against.
Andy Sandrik: Milton Hershey 21, Hershey 7: I keep getting the sense that Hershey can trap the Spartans this year, but points have been so hard to come by for the Trojans that I just can’t pull the trigger.
Adam Kulikowski: Milton Hershey 35, Hershey 21: I need to see the Trojans muster a little more juice on offense before I pick them to knock off a quality opponent.
Newport at Middletown, 7
Andy Shay: Middletown 28, Newport 6: The Blue Raiders are still working out the details offensively, but their defense will come through and deliver the goods in this one. Buffs have not flashed at all.
Geoff Morrow: Middletown 29, Newport 7: This is probably the most winnable game left on the Blue Raiders’ schedule, which features a consistent flow of quality opponents the rest of the way. Better make it count.
Andy Sandrik: Middletown 28, Newport 14: It’s been a rough couple of weeks for the Buffs, who have had very little go their way in lopsided losses to West Perry and Steel-High, but this game is a good opportunity for Newport to play competitive football.
Adam Kulikowski: Middletown 21, Newport 7: Both teams have some nice pieces to the puzzle, but neither has a complete set at this point. That brute, Tajae Brodie, is a difference-maker in this battle especially with Andrew Bates ailing for the Buffs.
Red Land at Cedar Cliff, 7
Andy Shay: Cedar Cliff 42, Red Land 14: The Colts are miffed at the offensive performance they displayed against CD East. That balance will show up in this one. Patriots have been close twice in three weeks and can’t get over the hump. The rivalry matters, though.
Geoff Morrow: Cedar Cliff 35, Red Land 21: When I was at the now-defunct Lemoyne Middle School way back in the very early ‘90s, the Cedar Cliff kids called us Red Land kids “farmers.” It was meant as an insult, I guess, but I never really understood or cared, because my dad’s cousin ran a farm and lived in Elizabethtown, not Etters. Anyway, I say all that to give a shout-out to all my former classmates, whether Colts or Patriots. But I’m East Shore now.
Andy Sandrik: Cedar Cliff 32, Red Land 17: Still waiting for the Red Land puzzle to get pieced together this season. Colts will be looking to light up the scoreboard after getting humbled by the CD East defense last week.
Adam Kulikowski: Cedar Cliff 35, Red Land 28: The Colts saw speed against the Panthers that they had not experienced in 2021. Gillen’s crew shakes off the setback against a Patriots team still searching for its identity.
Susquenita at Big Spring, 7
Andy Shay: Big Spring 34, Susquenita 27: This game is going to be all about dictating tempo and controlling the chaos that happens in between. Bulldogs’ balance and depth has to be the difference-maker or the ‘Hawks will crash the party.
Geoff Morrow: Big Spring 27, Susquenita 26: Break out the ‘Nita! Last week’s win over Camp Hill is even more impressive when you consider it was a short week, as the Blackhawks’ previous game was just four days earlier. The Fightin’ Hockensmiths have a tough one this week, though.
Andy Sandrik: Big Spring 42, Susquenita 24: I think Big Spring has the personnel to control the ball and hold off the ‘Hawks, but week after week, Susquenita keeps proving us wrong.
Adam Kulikowski: Susquenita 26, Big Spring 24: This is the week ‘Nita can quiet the doubters. Let’s goooooooo!!
Upper Dauphin at Camp Hill, 7
Andy Shay: Camp Hill 28, Upper Dauphin 26: I could easily give you three or four reasons why each of these teams is going to win. The Trojans have been consistently tough. The Lions have been a bit up-and-down. If Brady Morgan gets his, the Lions go down.
Geoff Morrow: Upper Dauphin 33, Camp Hill 28: I kind of want to pick Camp Hill, but I’m last to pick this game, and I couldn’t help but notice Shay picked the Lions. And, since he’s already running away with the “picks” lead, I need to join the other As and get on the Upper Dauphin bandwagon and work to close the gap on AShay. Rarely do I care about or employ strategy and go against my instinct, but this is that rare exception.
Andy Sandrik: Upper Dauphin 28, Camp Hill 21: Love the production UD is getting from RB Brady Morgan, a 5-foot-6 spark plug averaging 102 rushing yards per game, who is also the Trojans leading receiver.
Adam Kulikowski: Upper Dauphin 35, Camp Hill 31: The Trojans have played much of the season without pieces for a variety of reasons. UD getting healthy should provide another gear for this team just in time for the heart of the season.
West Perry at Waynesboro, 7
Andy Shay: Waynesboro 42, West Perry 29: Indians better be ready for the kitchen sink to be thrown at them from the Mustangs, because you know those gadget plays are coming. I respect that. Just feel the Indians have more depth in terms of weapons.
Geoff Morrow: Waynesboro 29, West Perry 27: I remember a time not too, too long ago when both of these programs — not to be mean — weren’t very good or much fun to watch. Today? Two truly accomplished, entertaining programs. Kudos to the kids and coaches at both schools.
Andy Sandrik: Waynesboro 30, West Perry 24: Waynesboro is one of the fastest — and meanest — teams in the Colonial, but are the Indians among the smartest? We’ll find out on Friday when the Mustangs, not afraid to run a gadget play or two, show up to Buchanan Auto Stadium to test ‘Boro’s football IQ.
Adam Kulikowski: West Perry 35, Waynesboro 34: This should be a dandy matchup between two clubs that love to play that punch-you-in-the-mouth brand of football. Quick question, Mustang fans: Do you disown Sandrik for siding with his friend, Waynesboro coach Josh Sprenkle, over his alma mater?
Williams Valley at Minersville, 7
Andy Shay: Williams Valley 32, Minersville 15: From my seat, this game comes down to what happens up front when WV has the rock and the Miners’ defensive front has to defend. It’s that simple.
Geoff Morrow: Williams Valley 33, Minersville 16: Miners haven’t surrendered a point in two games since getting shellacked by Tri-Valley in their opener; however, the Vikings haven’t scored fewer than four touchdowns in any game vs. Minersville over the last decade. Advantage, Vikings.
Andy Sandrik: Williams Valley 28, Minersville 14: The Battlin’ Miners haven’t beaten WV since 2011. I think the streak continues, although this game has potential to be competitive.
Adam Kulikowski: Williams Valley 38, Minersville 14: Vikings continue to roll behind Alex Acherbach and his 7.9 yards per carry average.
Saturday
Shippensburg at Susquehanna Twp., noon
Andy Shay: Shippensburg 44, Susquehanna Twp. 6: Been an uphill climb for the Indians with all those points allowed, and it gets no easier here with the undefeated Greyhounds making a trip to Elmerton Ave.
Geoff Morrow: Shippensburg 42, Susquehanna Twp. 13: Indians — wait, are they still called the Indians? — have fallen on tough times, though I bank on Joe Headen steering the ship to safety sooner rather than later. It’s just not likely to happen against a buzzing bunch like the Greyhounds.
Andy Sandrik: Shippensburg 42, Susquehanna Twp. 12: Even at home, it’s hard to see a path to victory for Township, which is allowing 52 points per game.
Adam Kulikowski: Shippensburg 35, Susquehanna Twp. 7: The Greyhounds’ flag is firmly placed at the top of the Colonial Division. Indians are still searching for traction.
Juniata at Steel-High, 1
Andy Shay: Steel-High 54, Juniata 6: Brutal if you support the Indians in terms of losing your star QB for the season. Now you have to play this. Juniata was never going to win this game anyway; now it’s a matter of trying to stay competitive.
Geoff Morrow: Steel-High 59, Juniata 13: I love watching the Rollers and reading about their successes, but, seriously, their 2021 schedule is boring. This is like if Alabama just played Mercer every dang week.
Andy Sandrik: Steel-High 63, Juniata 6: Really bummed to hear about QB Jacob Condo going down for Juniata. This was likely to be a blowout, anyway, but the Indians were as eager as anyone to take on the Rollers with their best lineup.
Adam Kulikowski: Steel-High 68, Juniata 7: Stepping in front of this Roller attack right now is a daunting task — especially after you lose your starting quarterback, Jacob Condo, for the season.
Shenandoah Valley at Pine Grove, 7
Andy Shay: Pine Grove 14, Shenandoah Valley 7: Combined, these teams have scored five touchdowns in five games played. Neither has a win, so somebody is going to celebrate. I’ll take PG in a coin flip.
Geoff Morrow: Pine Grove 35, Shenandoah Valley 6: The Blue Devils haven’t won more than a single game in a season since 2015, whereas the Cardinals might be winless, but they’re mostly competitive and remember what it takes to win.
Andy Sandrik: Pine Grove 14, Shenandoah Valley 0: When in doubt, take the home team. I’m going with the Cards.
Adam Kulikowski: Pine Grove 21, Shenandoah Valley 7: A tough opening to the Cardinals’ season gets a little better Saturday night.
POSTPONED: None.
CANCELED: Harrisburg at Central Dauphin; Line Mountain at Boiling Springs; Northern York at Mechanicsburg; Schuylkill Haven at Tri-Valley.
