Name; Week 6; Overall
Andy Shay 13-6; 93-31
Andy Sandrik: 16-3; 91-33
Adam Kulikowski 13-6; 90-34
Susquehanna Twp. 28, East Pennsboro 21
Andy Shay: Susquehanna Twp. 46, East Pennsboro 20: That was a tough loss for the Panthers a week ago, but has no bearing on this matchup at all. Hanna Tribe are a solid four touchdown favorite every single day of the week.
Andy Sandrik: Susquehanna Twp. 42, East Pennsboro 24: Highly-touted ‘Hanna teams have had their hiccup games in past years, but I’ve seen nothing but laser focus from this particular group.
Adam Kulikowski: Susquehanna Twp. 45, East Pennsboro 30: For East Penn, there simply is no margin of error to compete in this match-up. Turn in the best performance of the season and you might have a chance in the fourth of being within striking distance.
Steel-High 36, James Buchanan 8
Andy Shay: Steel-High 36, James Buchanan 14: Pretty sure there’s some heat ready to explode for the Rollers after back-to-back losses. Rockets have more dog to fight with, but not enough to keep pace.
Andy Sandrik: Steel-High 42, James Buchanan 7: James Buchanan’s last four games – all lost by an average of just 6.25 points – can wear on a team just like jabs in boxing. And now Steel-Here is ready to deliver the knockout punch.
Adam Kulikowski: Steel-High 38, James Buchanan 13: The good vibes of the first two weeks have faded for the Rockets who are winless in their last four games.
Juniata 49, Newport 14
Andy Shay: Juniata 34, Newport 7: Despite these clubs being on level terms with 4-2 marks overall, the balance sheet deep dive reveals the Indians are a heavy favorite.
Andy Sandrik: Newport 23, Juniata 21: The Buffs have a chance if they can force someone other than Jasper Shepps to try to beat them. Shepps has accounted for nearly 40 percent of Juniata’s offense this season and has snared four interceptions.
Adam Kulikowski: Newport 28, Juniata 21: This group of seniors, led by Trevin Arnold, Dalton Kratzer and Zach Bates deserve a ton of credit for turning a Buffs program that struggled the last several years around. Knocking off the Indians would be a statement victory in a season that already is a success.
Greencastle-Antrim 41, Milton Hershey 21
Andy Shay: Milton Hershey 27, Greencastle-Antrim 21: The first one is always the hardest one and after getting that first W a week ago, riding the Spartans train this week in this tilt of one-win clubs.
Andy Sandrik: Greencastle-Antrim 34, Milton Hershey 26: The Blue Devils have been staying competitive with good teams, but losing, and the frustration finally bubbled over in a tough loss to Trinity. This is a golden opportunity for G-A to bounce back, but Milton Hershey has some pep in its step after nailing down its first victory a week ago.
Adam Kulikowski: Milton Hershey 21, Greencastle-Antrim 20: In a battle of one-win teams, I’m giving a slight edge a Spartans team coming off a strong performance last week against Newport.
Bishop McDevitt 34, Cumberland Valley 13
Andy Shay: Bishop McDevitt 27, Cumberland Valley 7: Combined these squads have teamed up to win six consecutive games. So those good vibes you get on the North Shore of Hawaii are in play here. Crusaders have been the more steady ship in the Pacific and that matters.
Andy Sandrik: Bishop McDevitt 21, Cumberland Valley 10: In a game where dominant defenses could potentially cancel each other out, CV will need to take another step forward offensively to keep this game within reach.
Adam Kulikowski: Bishop McDevitt 24, Cumberland Valley 14: The Crusaders defense hasn’t been scored upon for 10 quarters now. While I don’t see the Eagles allowing that streak to continue, posting the numbers needed to pull off an upset seems daunting.
Mifflin County 17, Waynesboro 6
Andy Shay: Waynesboro 14, Mifflin County 7: Since scoring 42 points in their opener, the Huskies have managed just 35 points over five games including only eight points last week in a victory. Love the MC defense, just feel it takes more than eight points to win this one.
Andy Sandrik: Waynesboro 20, Mifflin County 14: The Tribe got a big boost with the return of injured QB Rayshawn Frazier-Hewitt and scored a season-high 49 points in a rout over Northern York. Can they continue the momentum against a solid Mifflin County defense?
Adam Kulikowski: Waynesboro 28, Mifflin County 7: As the competition grew, Mifflin County’s offense stalled out. Indians don’t provide an easy out for the Huskies to get back on track.Â
Shippensburg 47, Gettysburg 12
Andy Shay: Shippensburg 24, Gettysburg 14: Nobody in the MPC has managed the art of winning in a tight spot quite like the Greyhounds. They know what it takes to keep their surfboard on top of those big waves.
Andy Sandrik: Shippensburg 30, Gettysburg 28: While the wins aren’t there, the Warriors have a potent offense and will be looking to score early and force Shippensburg into a game of catch-up. The Hounds will be aiming to slow the game down and dominate possession time.
Adam Kulikowski: Shippensburg 34, Gettysburg 31: It’s tempting to pick the Warriors in this one. Gettysburg has the offense to keep pace with just about anyone, but slowing opponents has been a struggle again this year.
Central Dauphin 28, CD East 18
Andy Shay: Central Dauphin 20, CD East 13: This tussle of the neighbors inside the same school district is a toss up all the way in my book. East offense has only one TD over the last eight quarters and that is a white caps surf red flag on the beach.
Andy Sandrik: Central Dauphin 21, CD East 7: Good defenses have given CD East fits all season, and while the unit possessed by Central Dauphin isn’t necessarily elite, it is plenty talented enough to give the Rams a great chance to win.
Adam Kulikowski: Central Dauphin 28, CD East 7: Both teams are searching for answers to regain past glory, but the Rams have more solutions right now than their district counterparts.
State College 36, Cedar Cliff 21
Andy Shay: State College 41, Cedar Cliff 13: There is respect to be handed out to the Colts for being 3-3 overall at this point. However against the other two top dogs in the Commonwealth the Colts have been outscored 90-13. Little Lions are the other top dog.
Andy Sandrik: State College 35, Cedar Cliff 14: There were a lot of questions for the Little Lions about the QB position coming into the season, and sophomore signal caller Connor Kulka has answered most of them by delivering 16 TD passes against two interceptions.
Adam Kulikowski: State College 43, Cedar Cliff 10: Take away the slugfest against fellow Commonwealth powerhouse, Harrisburg, and the Little Lions haven’t yielded more than 14 points to any other opponent. That’s bad news for the Colts.
Chambersburg 6, Carlisle 0
Andy Shay: Chambersburg 28, Carlisle 7: Been a rough ride for each of these clubs this season and anything can happen here. Trojans have more pieces, but have shattered a bit this season while the Herd have struggled to be competitive.
Andy Sandrik: Chambersburg 35, Carlisle 7: While I’d love to think that this rivalry game will be as heated and competitive as usual, it’s hard to take seriously a Carlisle team that’s totaled two TDs over six games.
Adam Kulikowski: Chambersburg 42, Carlisle 6: Will the Herd find motivation as we enter the final four-game stretch of a season that hasn’t produced a victory to date?
Halifax 27, Susquenita 2
Andy Shay: Halifax 30, Susquenita 20: When the playing field in terms of talent on the roster has been more level, Halifax has put forth some solid efforts and played well. Blackhawks will need help from the Wildcats in this one.
Andy Sandrik: Halifax 28, Susquenita 7: The Wildcats have found a rhythm and a winning streak. Look for that to continue against a Blackhawks squad that’s been gouged for 153 points over their last three games.
Adam Kulikowski: Halifax 33, Susquenita 14: Part of the fun of writing our predictions each week is digging through the stats to find interesting nuggets. My favorite from Halifax: Teegan Carroll, the senior linebacker for the Wildcats has 71 tackles including seven for loss. That’s nearly double the number (39) of the second highest Wildcat on the team.
Trinity 36, Boiling Springs 3
Andy Shay: Trinity 35, Boiling Springs 0: Since that 0-2 start the T-Rocks have rattled off four wins in a row behind a defense that has surrendered only TWO touchdowns over the last 16 quarters. Bubblers don’t have the horses to run with a lock down D.
Andy Sandrik: Trinity 28, Boiling Springs 0: Can’t argue against the ‘Rocks defense, which has gotten eight TFLs and four sacks from Marcus Yeager.
Adam Kulikowski: Trinity 39, Boiling Springs 6: Bubbles have averaged just 11 points per game coming into this Week 7 fray with Trinity. Busting out against a defense as rock-solid as the Shamrock is an awful lot to ask.
West Perry 24, Big Spring 17
Andy Shay: Big Spring 27, West Perry 25: Game of the Week in the MPC from my vantage point on Waikiki Beach. When there’s nothing in it I always rely on what feels right and in this case to me the Bulldogs just know exactly who they are and aren’t phased by what the opponent does.
Andy Sandrik: West Perry 32, Big Spring 24: Maybe the football gods are just favoring WP, a team that surgically snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to stun East Pennsboro one week ago.
Adam Kulikowski: West Perry 34, Big Spring 31: I envision a slugfest in this match-up, which likely means it’ll be a 14-13 defensive battle. There’s just something about ’em Perry County boys that you know they will fight to the final second.
Mechanicsburg 35, Northern York 7
Andy Shay: Mechanicsburg 42, Northern 7: This is a rivalry game so the Wildcats, who have shown their mettle the last eight quarters, will be gunning for the shutout against an offense that struggles on a weekly basis.
Andy Sandrik: Mechanicsburg 38, Northern 7: Following a close win over ex-division leader Red Land, the Wildcats will be aiming to make an example of backyard heated rival Northern.
Adam Kulikowski: Mechanicsburg 45, Northern 6: The Wildcats were tested last week against the up-start Red Land Patriots. Easier sledding this week between the hashes.
Hershey 27, Red Land 17
Andy Shay: Red Land 27, Hershey 25: Marquee matchup and despite the Patriots dropping from the ranks of the unbeaten a week ago, they are still having a magical season and one loss will not derail their smooth ride on some tasty waves. And we all know Hershey could easily win this game.
Andy Sandrik: Hershey 28, Red Land 24: The Mechanicsburg Wildcats poured cold water all over Red Land’s perfect season last week. I expect the Patriots will be ready to play, but they have a tough road assignment against a Hershey squad that can put up a lot of points in a hurry.
Adam Kulikowski: Red Land 24, Hershey 21: That Red Land defense held serve last week with Mechanicsburg. Another stout effort will be needed to keep the Patriots in this battle.Â
Lower Dauphin 41, Palmyra 7
Andy Shay: Lower Dauphin 20, Palmyra 6: All I know is the Cougars are a hard team to beat and you have to show up with your best stuff to take them down. Falcons have found their groove and are playing well.
Andy Sandrik: Lower Dauphin 21, Palmyra 14: The Cougars have been competitive for several weeks running now, while the Falcons are no strangers to close games. I do expect this game at Buck Swank Stadium to come down to the wire.
Adam Kulikowski: Lower Dauphin 28, Palmyra 7: Through six games this season, the Falcons have epitomized balance, sitting at .500 with 131 points scored and 131 allowed — a statistical deadlock that perfectly reflects their even record.
Saturday, October 4
Line Mountain 27, Middletown 26
Andy Shay: Line Mountain 21, Middletown 7: This won’t be easy on any level for the Eagles against a Blue Raiders outfit that makes you earn your first downs and points the hard way.
Andy Sandrik: Line Mountain 24, Middletown 7: The Eagles rose to the occasion last week, beating Steel-High in a game that many picked them to lose. Now Line Mountain faces a bigger school in Middletown, while also bearing the label of favorites.
Adam Kulikowski: Line Mountain 28, Middletown 14: Eagles have just eight turnovers all season. If you’re the Blue Raiders and can steal a possession or two, it could be the ticket to making your underdog card a winner.
Harrisburg 45, Altoona 7:
Andy Shay: Harrisburg 42, Altoona 0: Cougars are one of the more complete teams in the state at any level and that defense is locking down opponents where there playing field isn’t level. Mountain Lions have scored only 66 points to date and this will be the best defense they’ve faced.
Andy Sandrik: Harrisburg 49, Altoona 7: Harrisburg’s defense – which has stacked up 18 sacks, 11 interceptions, and seven forced fumbles – could make life very hard for the visiting Mountain Lions.
Adam Kulikowski:Harrisburg 38, Altoona 7: Give Altoona credit, the Mountain Lions will battle you for a full four quarters. Find a path to victory against arguably the best team in the state is a different story.
Upper Dauphin 55, Camp Hill 12
Andy Shay: Upper Dauphin 21, Camp Hill 20: Couple of teams on the famous Rainbow Diner in Honolulu VW struggle bus this season. Only one win between them, but the Trojans offense has shown more life the last eight quarters so that’s my benchmark.
Andy Sandrik: Upper Dauphin 28, Camp Hill 12: Both of these teams started the season in a bit of a freefall, but while Camp Hill continues to struggle, Upper Dauphin has found some traction, and its first win, in recent weeks.
Adam Kulikowski: Upper Dauphin 41, Camp Hill 14: First, anyone else wish they too were enjoying the Honolulu sunshine our dear friend, AShay is basking in right now? OK, back to the game… Trojans found some footing on offense after spending the first four weeks of the season in neutral. If that trend continues, Upper Dauphin should have its second ‘Dub’ of the season.