Seventeen (17) big games on tap for Week 1 … here are my fearless, sure-fire picks:
Cedar Crest @ Lebanon – Cedar Bowl is here and the Lebanon bologna will be flowing. Two words: “Air Raid”. See James Capello in the shotgun. See James Capello drop back. See James Capello pass. See Jordan Clentimack score. I’ll take Lebanon, 27-13.
Conestoga Valley @ Hempfield – Debut of Hempfield’s spread attack under new o-coordinator Mike Burke. All eyes on Knights’ QB Jarvis Cummings, who comes up big in this opener. I like Hempfield here, 34-10.
Eastern York @ Columbia – Tide beat the Golden Knights 50-6 last year and (gasp) 76-7 three years ago. Not sure Columbia will get 50 again, but the Tide will roll. Columbia coasts, 40-7.
Elizabethtown @ McCaskey – I know the Bears got cleaned out by graduation, but I love their mojo. E-town comes into the big city and leaves with a win. Da Bears, 20-14.
Ephrata @ Manheim Township – “Razorback!” Blue Streaks ruin Jim Vieland’s coaching debut. Township wins 34-7.
Garden Spot @ Warwick – Eric Resch right. Eric Resch left. Eric Resch up the middle. Eric Resch and the Warriors git-r done in opener. Warwick wins 28-7.
Hamburg @ Elco – Hamburg returns several key cogs from last year’s district-qualifying team. Elco puts up a fight, but Hawks will find a way. Hamburg 21-20.
Lampeter-Strasburg @ Cocalico – L-S QB (Blake Brubaker) is out with a bum wing, which won’t help. Look for soph Christian DelRocini, a stud DE, to go both ways. That might open the door for the Eagles, who will ride speedster Kyle Fisher. Take Cocalico – in another barnburner – at home. Eagles 28-21.
Palmyra @ Annville-Cleona – First night home game for the Little Dutchmen, who are back home for the first time since 2005. ‘Nuff said. A-C takes out two years worth of frustration and wins 20-14.
Pequea Valley @ Upper Dauphin – Upper Dauphin’s lone win last year was over Pequea Valley, also in the opener. Braves are coming off a 0-10 season. But they have the X-factor: Sean Persch. Take Persch and the Braves, 23-20.
Pine Grove @ Northern Lebanon – First of three home games in a row for the Vikings, who enjoy the home cooking. Another fast getaway for Northern Lebanon, which wins 28-14.
Solanco @ Penn Manor – A little birdie told me that Penn Manor looked really good in its scrimmage against Susquehannock. Glad to hear that, but Solanco is feeling mighty fine after sharing the Section 2 crown last year. The good vibes carry over – at least on Opening Night. Golden Mules growl, 20-7.
Susquehannock @ Manheim Central – Barons are back. Trust me. Central proves a point, 42-7.
Trinity @ Lancaster Catholic – Is there a better opener than this – in the Double-A ranks, at least? Kyle Smith won’t let the Crusaders lose. Catholic ekes one out, 28-24.
Wilson @ Governor Mifflin – The Berks County Super Bowl features two teams with injured quarterbacks. With a gnarly D, it shouldn’t bother Wilson as much. Bulldogs grind one out with a soph QB under center. Wilson wins 27-14.
Reading @ York High – Welcome home, Preston McKnight, the Reading grad who will be making his coaching debut for the Red Knights. But York High has a ton of skill kids back, and Bearcats are coming off a fine 10-2 season. York High rains on McKnight’s debut. Bearcats win 21-7.
Daniel Boone @ Donegal – Don’t forget: Donegal is my sleeper team in Section 3. But this isn’t a Section 3 game, and Boone, a District 3 Triple-A semifinalist last year, and the preseason pick to win Berks I-C Section 1 this year, is loaded for bear. Take Boone, 24-14.
