Keith Schweigert’s Week 3 picks from “The Huddle” blog
LAST WEEK: 13-6
OVERALL: 25-11
Took one on the chin last week with six losses in my fearless prognostications.
Oops.
But according to the master schedule, it’s still pretty early in the grand scheme of things. So I’m not ready to push the panic button quite yet.
The final week of non-league games is upon us – thank goodness. These 17-18-19-game weeks are a grinder.
If it’s Thursday morning, it must be time to write the prediction column. Not much cooking in my funny-bone department at the moment (I’m kinda busy chasing wayward ants out of my kitchen; fun times), so these breakdowns might not be as hilarious as usual. But I’ll try and press on. Here goes nothing …
Annville-Cleona @ Cocalico – This game is Thursday night don’t forget. I’ll be in Denver blogging live at LancSports.com if you can’t make it. Rain is in the forecast, so keep your fingers and toes crossed. Contrasting offenses in this one – Cocalico is No. 1 in the league, cranking 443.5 yards a game. Annville-Cleona is 24th (and dead last) in the league, averaging a scant 89 yards a game. It was 41-7 Eagles last year in Annville. I’m expecting pretty much the same thing this time around. Call it Cocalico 40, Annville-Cleona 6. Dutchmen really need to start putting the ‘O’ in Cleona. Sounds like a joke, but it’s not. Really.
Carlisle @ Hempfield – Thundering Herd rumbles into Landisville with a 2-0 record and some major momentum. Black Knights are back on track after beating Garden Spot in Week 2. Why do I have a sneaking suspicious that it will be a successful trip for Carlisle? I’m leaning Herd here, 20-14. That pick is going to bite me. Watch. So you have permission to razz me next week, Knights’ fan, if I’m wrong.
Cedar Crest @ Conestoga Valley – Falcons’ run D was chewed up in loss to Conrad Weiser last weekend (Scouts piled up 412 yards on the ground). CV features the top rusher in the league, Kevin Kelley, who has chewed up 419 yards all by himself already. Uh-oh. Could spell trouble for Cedar Crest, so I’m taking the Buckskins to go to 3-0. Break ‘em up. CV wins 19-13. When’s that Manheim Central game?
Downingtown East @ Wilson – East is 2-0 and is a plus-12 in turnover ratio after recovering (gasp!) seven fumbles in a win over Souderton in Week 2. But the Bulldogs are feeling frisky after that gut-wrencher 2-point loss at Manheim Central. And it’s Wilson’s home opener. Bulldogs snap back. ‘Dawgs tame Cougars, 28-14.
Ephrata @ Warwick – George Male Trophy night in Lititz, and this game always seems to be a barnburner, regardless of records, etc. Warwick has won the last three battles. I’m sniffing four. The Warriors finish drives, hold onto the ball and win, 27-7.
Exeter @ Penn Manor – Comets celebrate 40 years of football with an easy one. Penn Manor packs a punch and rolls, 34-7. Keith Schweigert blogging live at LancSports.com if you can’t make it.
Elizabethtown @ Manheim Township – In my mind, the toughest game to pick this week. I’m serious. I can truly, honestly see this one going either way, because the Bears and the Blue Streaks have hooked up in a couple of classics the last two years. Since Township came up on the short end in the last two games, I’ll take the Streaks here guessing they’re ready to unleash some payback. Township holds off E-town in another classic, 21-20.
Governor Mifflin @ Reading – Nice Berks County backyard rivalry game here. And the Mustangs and the Red Knights will be league foes next year when Reading joins the I-C. Sensing that Reading, which leads this series 19-8 by the way, is really close to breaking through. But not this week. Mifflin holds on late, 15-14.
Interboro @ Donegal – Trying to find something whimsical and really smart to type here, but I’m striking out poorly. Donegal needs a kick in the shorts. Interboro is tough; really tough. So I’m taking the Bucs, 33-7.
Lampeter-Strasburg @ Garden Spot – A couple of 0-2 teams locking horns in this one. L-S has had a couple of close calls. Garden Spot is still trying to find its way a bit. So I like the Pioneers to dent the W column in this one. Successful road trip for L-S, 34-7.
Lebanon @ Elco – Couple of things make this game juicy. First, it’s the Bologna Bowl. And how can you not absolutely love that? Second – and much, much more importantly; trust me – it’s Autism Awareness Night in Myerstown, and both teams are selling ‘White Out’ t-shirts at the gate for charity. Don’t miss it, Lebanon County. As for the game … really like the way Elco is chugging along here. Raiders chop down Cedars (see, there’s a relatively funny line, as I scramble for the ant spray), 35-20.
Manheim Central @ Lancaster Catholic – You’ve probably heard a thing or two about this game this week. I’ve broken this one down frontward, backward and sideways. And every time I keep coming back to the Barons. I like Central’s veteran (and beefy and deep) o-line, and I like that the Barons have a little extra motivation in the tank after losing to Catholic last year – in Manheim. Could be a classic. Barons edge Crusaders, 24-21. I’ll be blogging live at LancSports.com if you can’t make it.
McCaskey @ Coatesville – New Red Tornado regime against a couple of former McCaskey coaches (Matt Ortega and Scott Feldman) in this one. Short week for Tornado. Five D starters still out for Tornado. And did I mention McCaskey has the worst-ranked D in the league through two weeks? Oy. Tornado is close – really close, mark my words – but this isn’t your average, everyday road trip. Coatesville wins 29-13.
Northern Lebanon @ Hamburg – Alrighty, Vikings. I’m taking you one more week. But just this one. Northern Lebanon edges Hamburg, 23-20, as Hawks wrap up three-game jaunt vs. L-L Section 3 squads.
Pequea Valley @ Fleetwood – You’ve heard by now that the Braves’ losing streak is up to 29. You’ve probably also heard by now that Pequea Valley’s last win was against – ta-da – Fleetwood, in Week 3 in 2006. The streak ends now. Braves win. Braves win. Braves win. I’ll take Pequea Valley, 27-6.
Daniel Boone @ Columbia – Tough task for the Crimson Tide, which must curtail All-State QB Jon Monteiro and the Blazers’ high-flying, scoreboard-changing offense. Boone has outscored its first two opponents 88-6. Yikes. Blazers roll again, 49-6. But it is Hall of Fame Night on the hill, so enjoy that, won’t you.
Oxford @ Solanco – Only Saturday game on the slate, and I’ll be blogging live at LancSports.com from this one. Always enjoy my trips to Quarryville, where the Golden Mules will make it two in a row in this one. Solanco over Oxford, 24-10.
