Wilson, Manheim Township and Penn Manor from Section 1.

Manheim Central, Conestoga Valley and Cocalico from Section 2.

And Lancaster Catholic, Elco and Lampeter-Strasburg from Section 3.

Those will be your L-L League participants in the District 3 playoffs.

Wilson, Manheim Township and Penn Manor in Quad-A.

Manheim Central, CV, Cocalico, Elco and L-S in Triple-A.

And Lancaster Catholic in Double-A.

Wilson and Lancaster Catholic will be out to defend their crowns.

No L-L League teams qualified for the Single-A bracket.

Preliminary Quad-A bracket here.

Preliminary Triple-A bracket here.

Preliminary Double-A bracket here.

The bubble burst for a few L-L League teams in Week 10, most notably Reading, which was on the No. 16 line in Quad-A coming in, but the Red Knights dropped a 14-10 decision to McCaskey - which snapped its 20-game losing streak in the process - and were leapfrogged by Harrisburg, which walloped Altoona 75-6 to finish 5-5 overall and get in.

So in the last two weeks, Reading, which played its final game as a member of the L-L League in Week 10, gave up 70 points in a loss to Cedar Crest and lost to a 0-9 team and saw its bubble burst.

Other L-L League teams on the bubble that came up just short: Warwick, which dropped a 31-13 gut-wrencher to Wilson, is out in Quad-A. The Warriors were No. 17 coming into the week. And Solanco, which was No. 17 in Triple-A, lost to Cocalico 34-17 and was bumped.

KELLEY COMES UP SHORT: Conestoga Valley senior RB Kevin Kelley did not crack the 2,000-yard plateau in the regular season. Unofficially, the Bucks’ back rushed for 125 yards in CV’s 34-24 loss to Ephrata. So Kelley will need 75 yards (unofficially) in the Bucks’ first-round District 3 Triple-A playoff game to reach 2,000 yards this season. He was trying to become the first L-L League back to rush for 2,000 yards in the regular season since Lebanon Catholic’s Tommy Long pulled off that feat in 1996.

FOUR MORE FOR MR. SMITH: Lancaster Catholic senior QB Kyle Smith became the first player in Pennsylvania history to throw 100 career touchdown passes in the Crusaders’ 51-28 shootout win over Elco. Smith, of course, came into the game with a state-record 99 TD tosses. He threw four more against the Raiders, giving him 35 this season and 103 in his career.

OUTRIGHT CHAMPS: Speaking of Smith and the Crusaders, Lancaster Catholic wrapped up its second outright Section 3 championship in a row compliments of its 51-28 win over Elco. That’s five Section 3 titles in a row - shared or outright - for the Crusaders. … This is also the second year in a row that all three section races were won outright; Wilson, Manheim Central and Lancaster Catholic are all back-to-back outright champs.

THE SCORES: Week 10 results - Section 1: Wilson 31, Warwick 13 (Warriors led 13-10 in the fourth quarter; Bulldogs pull off miracle 3rd-and-41 play and win going away), Penn Manor 36, Cedar Crest 35 (Comets trailed 35-22 in the second half, rally past Falcons), Manheim Township 28, Hempfield 14 (Brian Sourber rushes for 241 yards and 3 TD for Blue Streaks), McCaskey 14, Reading 10 (Red Tornado snaps two-year losing streak, Red Knights, in final L-L League game, eliminated from playoff chase). … Section 2: Manheim Central 49, Garden Spot 0 (fourth shutout win in a row for Barons, who lock up No. 1 seed in District 3 Triple-A playoffs; 0-10 finish for Spartans), Cocalico 34, Solanco 17 (Eagles break open a close 6-3 lead at the half), Ephrata 34, Conestoga Valley 24 (no 2,000 for Kelley; two-win season after 0-10 campaign for Mountaineers), Lebanon 39, Elizabethtown 32 (Cedars snap three-game losing skid; Alex Trautman passes for 342 yards and 4 TD). … Section 3: Lancaster Catholic 51, Elco 28 (Smith outduels Achey; fifth section title in a row for Crusaders, who lock up No. 1 seed in District 3 Double-A bracket), Lampeter-Strasburg 55, Annville-Cleona 7 (Chad Frey returns two punts for scores for Pioneers, who clinch spot in Triple-A field), Northern Lebanon 47, Pequea Valley 19 (Vikings finish 6-4 but miss out on playoffs), Donegal 40, Columbia 0 (Indians finish on a high note; Crimson Tide finishes 0-10).

WEEK 10 NUGGETS: One week after returning a punt for a touchdown in a win over Northern Lebanon, Lampeter-Strasburg’s Chad Frey one-upped himself by returning two punts for scores in the Pioneers’ 55-7 romp over Annville-Cleona. Frey also scored on a TD run, but he missed out on rushing for 1,000 yards during the regular season. … Lancaster Catholic QB Kyle Smith vs. Elco – 13-of-23 for 170 yards, four TD, no picks. He’s up to 35 TD against two picks this season, and both interceptions came in the same game, vs. L-S in Week 5. … Manheim Central QB Justin Gorman torched Garden Spot – 12-for-13 for 183 yards and two TD passes; seven keepers for 141 yards and three TD runs (all in the first half, by the way). … Manheim Township RB Brian Sourber ran wild against Hempfield – 34 carries (many coming out of the Streaks’ Razorback direct-snap package) for 241 yards and three TD runs. He also caught a clutch pass on the sideline right at the marker on a key third-down conversion in the first half. Sourber finished the regular season with 21 TD runs – two behind CV’s Kevin Kelley, whose 1-yard plunge vs. Ephrata gave him 23 during the regular season. … Huge game for Ephrata RB George Murray in the Mountaineers’ 34-24 win over CV – 33 carries for 197 yards and four TD runs. … Two winless teams in the L-L League this season – Garden Spot (0-7, 0-10) and Columbia (0-7, 0-10). … One undefeated team in the L-L League this season – Manheim Central (7-0, 10-0), which handed coach Mike Williams his 297th career win with its fourth shutout victory in a row, a 49-0 whitewash over Garden Spot. The Barons have six shutout wins this season, and have outscored their opponents by a whopping 423-76. Central held Garden Spot to 112 yards and six first downs. … Lebanon QB Alex Trautman, who has been running hot-or-cold the second half of the season, was scorching hot in the Cedars’ wild 39-32 win over Elizabethtown – 16-of-27 for 353 yards and four TD passes, plus an 8-yard TD keeper, as Lebanon snapped its three-game losing skid. … Elco QB Arron Achey had two TD runs and two TD passes in the Raiders’ 51-28 loss to Lancaster Catholic. … Cocalico, which came into Week 10 with the third-ranked defense in the league, yielded 329 rushing yards to Solanco; B.J. Enck had 119 of those yards for the Golden Mules, who had their three-game winning streak snapped and missed out on the postseason. … Northern Lebanon QB Tanner Dresch in 47-19 win over Pequea Valley – 8-for-9 for 130 yards and three TD tosses. … McCaskey’s Markeith Williams just missed out on 1,000 rushing yards; he had 40 yards in the Red Tornado’s 14-10 win over Reading, leaving him with 965 yards this season. … Wackiest play of Week 10 – Wilson, trailing 13-10 at home to Warwick, faced 3rd-and-41 from its own 20. QB Zach Zweizig hit Sheldon Hannibal-Nixon for a 66-yard gainer to get Wilson out of jail. Bulldogs went on to score three unanswered touchdowns and won 31-13, putting a shiny bow on a 7-0 Section 1 season.

COMING SOON: Check back Monday for audio Podcast interviews with Manheim Township coach Mike Melnyk, plus Blue Streaks’ players Brady Souders and Moyo Oluleye. … Also check back next week for full preview capsules of every District 3 playoff game involving L-L League teams. Plus my final rankings, Week 10 ‘3 Stars’, final regular-season statistics, video previews and a Podcast preview for the District 3 playoffs. And more random goodies, I’m sure. … Not sure about the live blogs for Round 1 of Districts. Stay tuned.

I hope you can somehow look beyond that in our Week 10 video previews. Enjoy …

Two big-ticket L-L football items for the price of one. Can’t beat that, right?

First up, the QB Club selections …

SECTION 1

BACK OF THE WEEK – Cedar Crest QB Gary Gristick completed 12-of-18 passes for 185 yards, had four touchdown throws and had a TD run in the Falcons’ electrifying 70-35 win over Reading.

LINEMAN OF THE WEEK – Manheim Township OT/DT Alex Vigilante had a high blocking grade on offense, and on defense he was in on six tackles (4 solos), including one tackle for a loss, in the Blue Streaks’ 35-6 victory over McCaskey.

SECTION 2

BACK OF THE WEEK – Solanco RB/DB B.J. Enck rushed 13 times for 212 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns on offense, on defense he made eight tackles and picked off three passes, including a pick-6 for a 40-yard TD return, and on special teams he returned a punt 45 yards in the Golden Mules’ 41-7 win over Garden Spot.

LINEMAN OF THE WEEK – Cocalico LB Andrew Prevoznik was in on 22 total tackles – including 6 solos and 4 tackles for losses – and he caught a pass and made an extra-point kick in the Eagles’ 21-14 win over Conestoga Valley.

SECTION 3

BACK OF THE WEEK – Lampeter-Strasburg RB/DB Chad Frey rushed 10 times for 172 yards and had three TD runs and caught three passes for 27 yards on offense, he had a 25-yard pick-6 on an interception, had a pair of QB hurries and was in on four tackles on defense, and he returned a punt 51 yards for a TD on special teams in the Pioneers’ 42-7 win over Northern Lebanon.

LINEMAN OF THE WEEK – DE Brandon Felus was in on 10 tackles (8 solo), had a tackle for a loss, knocked down three passes and registered a pair of sacks in the Crimson Tide’s 27-12 setback to Pequea Valley.

And now, on with the picks …

LAST WEEK: 10-2.
OVERALL: 95-31.

Final week of regular-season picks front and center, so I figure I’ll just dive right in headfirst …

MANHEIM TOWNSHIP @ HEMPFIELD – It’s the L-L League’s version of the Hatfields vs. the McCoys. More riding for Township here, which needs a win for a home game in the first round of the District 3 Quad-A playoffs. So we’ll go Blue Streaks, on the road, taking care of the Black Knights, 28-14. Cheap plug alert: I’ll be blogging live from this game at LancSports.com if you can’t make it to Landisville.

McCASKEY @ READING – This is Reading’s swan song in the L-L League for all you sentimental buffs. And Red Knights need a win to lock up a District 3 Quad-A playoff spot. Red Tornado needs a win to avoid back-to-back 0-10 seasons. Oy. Knights extend Tornado’s woes, push McCaskey’s streak to (gulp) 21, 34-12.

PENN MANOR @ CEDAR CREST – Comets need a rebound after a crusher loss at Wilson; Falcons have won two in a row and are playing spoilers quite nicely. But Penn Manor gets its focus back and locks up a top-6 seed in District 3 Quad-A playoffs here. You guessed it: Comets clip Falcons, 31-14. Had to drop that one on you one more time this season. I’m so original.

WARWICK @ WILSON – Remember what happened the last time the Warriors paid a visit to West Lawn in 2007? Warwick 14, Wilson 12. Bulldogs already have the Section 1 title wrapped up, and need a win to wrap up the No. 2 seed in District 3 Quad-A playoffs – where they’ll be out to defend their crown. Warwick needs a win (and major help) just to make playoffs. Going ‘Dawgs here, 30-17. Woof.

ELIZABETHTOWN @ LEBANON – Bears feeling frisky after triple-overtime victory over Ephrata; Lebanon stuck in the mud – and riding a three-game losing streak. Bears chop down Cedars (hey, couldn’t resist using that line one last time this season, either), 27-14.

EPHRATA @ CONESTOGA VALLEY – Mountaineers’ stinging after that triple-OT setback to Elizabethtown, and are jonesing for a two-win season after last year’s 0-10 ride. CV is safe for Districts but would love a smidge of a better seed. And have I mentioned that RB Kevin Kelley needs 200 rushing yards on the dot for a 2,000-yard regular season? I think he’ll get it. And I think he’ll get it in a victory. CV bucks Ephrata, 23-13.

GARDEN SPOT @ MANHEIM CENTRAL – It says here in my contract that I have to predict every game on the docket, and this game features the teams that are most likely the complete polar opposites in the league this season. Garden Spot is winless, has been shutout three times and has scored a league-low 55 points. Manheim Central is undefeated, has three shutout victories in a row and five overall, has the top-ranked defense in the league, has yielded the fewest points in the league, has scored the second-most points in the league, has the third-ranked offense in the league, is No. 1 in the District 3 Triple-A power-point tally and is ranked fourth in the state in the Harrisburg Patriot-News poll. You can stop me anytime here, gang. Barons crunch Spartans, 49-0.

COCALICO @ SOLANCO – Plenty riding here: Cocalico needs a win for a home game in the first round of the District 3 Triple-A playoffs; Solanco needs a win – period – and likely some help, to join to the Triple-A party. QB Matt Carty appears pretty much 100 percent healthy, so I’m leaning Cocalico here. Eagles soar over Golden Mules (ooh, that was bad, sorry), 31-13.

ELCO @ LANCASTER CATHOLIC – Game of the Week. Crusaders need a win to lock up Section 3 crown outright; Raiders need a win to force a tie for the title. Two explosive offenses. Two opportunistic defenses. Two dynamic quarterbacks (Catholic’s Kyle Smith vs. Elco’s Arron Achey). Playmakers aplenty. This could be a classic. Elco didn’t do so hot in its last big road tester (40-14 loss at L-S in Week 6). Catholic, to me, seems like its gearing up for a run. That run starts now. Crusaders swagger past Raiders, 38-17. Another cheap plug alert: Keith Schweigert blogging live from this showdown at LancSports.com if you can’t make it to Rossmere.

DONEGAL @ COLUMBIA – Couple of backyard rivals going at it in this one. All heck breaking loose in Columbia lately. Coach and two players are suspended – not fun. Donegal trying to get out of quicksand and end on a positive note. Believe it or not, the toughest game to pick this week. I kid you not. Leaning Donegal because of all the junk swirling around Columbia’s program at the moment. Gotta be tough on the concentration meter there at the moment. So I’ll go Indians to tame Tide, 21-13.

LAMPETER-STRASBURG @ ANNVILLE-CLEONA – Pioneers are scorching and need a win to guarantee a District 3 Triple-A playoff bid. A loss, and L-S would need a little help. But Pioneers are thinking big – like extending this four-game tear and then unleashing havoc in Districts. No way I want any part of L-S in the first round. Pioneers stay hot, polish off Little Dutchmen, 40-13.

NORTHERN LEBANON @ PEQUEA VALLEY – Braves are short two players after the unfortunate fracas with Columbia. But PV is feeling good after beating the Tide and earning first two-win season since 2003. Vikings need a win and an unbelievable run of luck to make the District 3 Triple-A playoffs for the third year in a row. But this will be three winning seasons in a row for Northern Lebanon. Vikes get a victory over the Braves, 35-13.

Take a look …

** Conestoga Valley RB Kevin Kelley needs 200 rushing yards for a 2,000-yard regular season. He’s poised to become the first L-L League back to rush for 2,000 yards in the regular season since Lebanon Catholic’s Tommy Long eclipsed that mark in 1996.

** Solanco RB B.J. Enck, fresh off a 212-yard effort against Garden Spot, needs 174 rushing yards for 1,000.

** Lampeter-Strasburg RB Chad Frey, who romped for 172 yards last Friday against Northern Lebanon, needs 143 rushing yards for 1,000.

** Warwick RB Chris Schaffer, the reigning LancSports.com Player of the Week after galloping for 177 yards last Friday against Hempfield, needs 129 rushing yards for 1,000.

** Manheim Central thumper Joe Gruber needs 125 rushing yards for 1,000.

** McCaskey RB Markeith “Juice” Williams needs 75 rushing yards for 1,000. And what a nice milestone that would be in an otherwise forgettable season for the Red Tornado.

** Lancaster Catholic RB Jordan Stewart, who missed the first two games this season, needs 35 rushing yards for 1,000. That’s a heck of a pace for missing two games.

** Pequea Valley QB Ben Myers, who leads the L-L League in completions, pass attempts and passing yards, needs 59 passing yards for 2,000.

** Reading QB Freddy Pena needs 184 passing yards for 1,000.

** Lampeter-Strasburg QB Nate Shank needs 116 passing yards for 1,000.

** Elizabethtown QB Andy Breault needs 98 passing yards for 1,000.

** Penn Manor QB P.J. Rehm needs 23 passing yards for 1,000.

** Warwick QB Jordan Donmoyer, who missed a game earlier this season, needs 5 passing yards for 1,000.

** Lancaster Catholic QB Kyle Smith needs 16 completions for 100.

** Elco QB Arron Achey needs 10 completions for 100.

** Manheim Central QB Justin Gorman needs 4 completions for 100.

** Cocalico needs 139 rushing yards for 3,000.

** Pequea Valley needs 2 passing yards for 2,000.

Other numbers and knickknacks …

** Just three L-L League teams have allowed less than 1,000 rushing yards and less than 1,000 passing yards through nine games – Manheim Central (871 rush, 719 pass), Lancaster Catholic (815 rush, 817 pass) and L-S (969 rush, 984 pass).

** Two L-L League teams have not reached 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 passing yards this season – Garden Spot (750 rush, 841 pass) and Donegal (840 rush, 621 pass).

** Six (6) L-L League teams have rushed for 2,000 or more yards – Cocalico (2,861); Conestoga Valley (2,272); L-S (2,199); Solanco (2,188); Manheim Township (2,171) and Elco (2,012).

** Here’s an odd one – Three L-L League teams have a minus-28 scoring margin: Cedar Crest, Elizabethtown and Hempfield have all been outscored by exactly 28 points this season. What are the odds of that?

** Cocalico QB Matt Carty is the only regular, full-time starting L-L League signal-caller yet to throw an interception this season. He did miss 2 ½ games, but has not thrown a pick in 54 pass attempts.

** Pequea Valley has five (5) players with 17 or more catches: Chad Tyson (league-high 43), Tyler Schmitt (38), Mike Rice (25), Ray Ball (17) and Ryan Clarke (17).

** L-L League leading rushers among quarterbacks – Arron Achey, Elco (1,109 yards); P.J. Rehm, Penn Manor (620 yards); Matt Carty, Cocalico (583 yards); Tanner Dresch, Northern Lebanon (559 yards); Adrian Westbrook, McCaskey (503 yards); Justin Gorman, Manheim Central (478 yards).

** L-L League rushing touchdown leaders – Kevin Kelley, CV (22); Brian Sourber, Manheim Township (18); Austin Hartman, Cocalico (17); Jason Stewart, Reading (16); Arron Achey, Elco (13); Justin Gorman, Manheim Central (12); Jordan Stewart, Lancaster Catholic (12); Chris Schaffer, Warwick (11).

** L-L League touchdown reception leaders – Tyler Purvis, Lancaster Catholic (11); Tyler George, Elco (7); Eric Ondo, Elco (7); Tyler Beck, Wilson (6); Christian DelRocini, L-S (6); Michael Burke, Columbia (5); Kyle Rissell, Cocalico (5).

** L-L League passing touchdown leaders – Kyle Smith, Lancaster Catholic (31); Arron Achey, Elco (20); Ben Myers, Pequea Valley (16); Zach Zweizig, Wilson (15); P.J. Rehm, Penn Manor (13); Gary Gristick, Cedar Crest (12).
 

Your handy-dandy Week 10 Podcast is recorded and posted and ready for your listening pleasure.

Not sure where the last 10 weeks went, but here we are – the regular-season finales are on tap and ready for kickoff.

The Section 3 championship picture will come into focus Friday when first-place Lancaster Catholic welcomes Elco (Keith blogging live at LancSports.com, don’t forget).

If the Crusaders win, they get the title outright. If Elco wins, there will be a tie. And if Elco and L-S both win, there would be a three-way split of the pie.

Everyone else is playing for pride or for District 3 power points. Still mucho to decide in those classifications, and several L-L League teams are perched right on the proverbial bubble.

I’ll chat about those scenarios and preview all the Week 10 games for you here …

You can listen to the Podcast by clicking on the ‘play’ button above.

You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.

Past L-L League football section champions here.

Updated random stats through Week 9 here.

Updated individual and team stats through Week 9 here.

My rankings here.

Week 9 ‘3 Stars’ here.

Kyle Smith record-chase update here.

Week 10 … the finale.

In what could go down in one of the fastest regular seasons ever – wow, where did those 10 weeks go? – the last week of L-L League Football 2009 is staring us right in the eyes.

Not much intrigue section-race-wise in Week 10. Wilson, in Section 1, and Manheim Central, in Section 2, have already locked up outright section championships.

The only race still bubbling is in Section 3, where Lancaster Catholic takes a 1-game lead over Elco and Lampeter-Strasburg into Friday’s games. And Catholic hosts Elco, meaning a Crusaders’ win would equal an outright crown, but a Raiders’ win would force a tie for the title.

And if Elco wins and Lampeter-Strasburg wins, there would be a three-way tie for the title.

Plenty to decide in the District 3 playoff picture as well, so make sure you check for scores come late Friday. There is still a lot riding out there.

Here’s my Week 10 breakdown …

THE GAME: Manheim Township (4-2 Section 1, 6-3 overall) @ Hempfield (2-4 Section 1, 4-5 overall), Friday, 7 p.m.
LIVE BLOG/ON THE RADIO: I will be blogging live from this game at LancSports.com. So if you can’t make it to Landisville for this battle of longtime fierce rivals, please find me online, where I’ll prove instant updates, analysis, post scores from around the league and take your questions and comments. … This game will also be broadcast live by WPDC-AM 1600. You can also listen online at shoutcast.com (keyword: WPDC).
LAST WEEK: Manheim Township streaked past McCaskey 35-6. … Hempfield was whitewashed by Warwick, 16-0.
NOTABLE: Hempfield blanked Manheim Township 13-0 last year in Neffsville. … Manheim Township is No. 8 in Quad-A in the latest District 3 power-point list. So a win here should give the Blue Streaks a home game in Round 1. … Hempfield is No. 21 in Quad-A in the latest District power-point list, so needless to say, the Black Knights need a win and for a whole bunch of other teams to lose to get in.
KEY STATS: Manheim Township’s key stat is 10 – the Streaks have only turned the ball over 10 times, least among Section 1 teams and second-least in the L-L League. … Hempfield’s key stat is 81 – in a must-win game last Friday against Warwick, the Knights were held to just 81 yards of total offense.
ABOUT MANHEIM TOWNSHIP: Snapped a 2-game losing skid (and jumped into a tie for second place with Penn Manor) with a 35-6 win over McCaskey in Week 9 – which also kept the Streaks in the thick of the District 3 Quad-A playoff chase. A home game in Round 1 might be a stretch, but another win here in Week 10 – against the school’s biggest rival, regardless of sport – would certainly help. … RB Brian Sourber is third in the L-L League in rushing (1,222 yards) and second in TD runs (18).
ABOUT HEMPFIELD: Crusher 16-0 loss to Warwick in Week 9 all but eliminated the Black Knights in the District 3 Quad-A playoff hunt. … Hempfield’s O struggled mightily in loss to Warwick, netting just 81 total yards and four first downs. … Mike Farace and Pat Brogan split the QB duties against Warwick. Keep an eye on that spot Friday.

Audio Podcast interview with Manheim Township coach Mike Melnyk here.

Audio Podcast interview with Manheim Township’s Brian Sourber here.

THE GAME: McCaskey (0-6 Section 1, 0-9 overall) @ Reading (3-3 Section 1, 4-5 overall), Friday, 7 p.m.
LAST WEEK: McCaskey saw its losing streak hit 20 games in a row after a 35-6 loss to Manheim Township. … Reading scored 35 points – and lost by 35 points, 70-35 to Cedar Crest.
NOTABLE: Reading rolled over McCaskey 24-8 last year in Lancaster. … Reading leads the all-time series 42-38-5. This will be Reading’s swan song in Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 play. The Red Knights jump to Section 1 of the Berks Inter-County League next fall. … Reading is No. 16 in Quad-A in the latest District 3 power-point rankings. Baring anything nutty, the Knights should get in with a win.
KEY STATS: McCaskey’s key stat is 20 – the Red Tornado’s losing streak is up to 20 games in a row, dating back to a Week 9 win over Cedar Crest in 2007. … Reading’s key stat is 70 – the Red Knights surrendered 70 points to Cedar Crest last Friday, the most points Reading has allowed in a game since 63 to Pennsbury back in 1982.
ABOUT McCASKEY: Another week, another controversy for the Tornado. Two weeks ago it was a pack of angry parents waiting outside the locker room for coach David Given after a pull-your-hair-out 27-22 loss to Cedar Crest. Then last week, according to this published report, Given wasn’t exactly thrilled that Manheim Township was attempting passes up by 29 points in the fourth quarter. Long, long season for McCaskey. … Some good news: RB Markeith Williams needs 75 yards for 1,000. That would definitely be a bright spot in an otherwise forgettable season.
ABOUT READING: It was all cut and dried for the Knights – beat then-3-5 Cedar Crest in Week 9 and 0-9 McCaskey in Week 10 and Reading would sail into the postseason. Uh-oh. After suffering a (gulp) 70-35 loss to the Falcons to fall to 4-5 overall, the Knights will need a win here and likely some help to make the playoffs. … RB Jason Stewart is fifth in the league in rushing (1,078 yards).

QUOTABLE: Reading coach Preston McKnight (to the Reading Eagle, after surrendering 70 points in the loss to Cedar Crest) – “I’ve never seen the ups and downs like we have with this situation. If it were an attitude thing, I’d understand. But these are good kids. It’s a very close-knit team. We care about them and they care about us. … I don’t understand it. If I had an answer I’d let you know. It’s been a roller coaster all year.”

Audio Podcast interview with Reading coach Preston McKnight here.

Audio Podcast interview with Reading QB Freddy Pena here.

THE GAME: Penn Manor (4-2 Section 1, 7-2 overall) @ Cedar Crest (2-4 Section 1, 4-5 overall), Friday, 7 p.m.
LAST WEEK: Penn Manor couldn’t hold onto a late lead and lost to Wilson 24-20. … Cedar Crest piled up the most points in an L-L League game this season and romped over Reading 70-35.
NOTABLE: Penn Manor rolled Cedar Crest 39-7 last year in Millersville. … Penn Manor is No. 6 in Quad-A in the latest District 3 power-point rankings. … Cedar Crest is No. 20 in Quad-A in the latest District 3 power-point rankings, so the Falcons need a win and a ton of help to squeak into the bracket.
KEY STATS: Penn Manor’s key stat is 19 – the Comets have 19 takeaways on defense, most among Section 1 teams and third-most in the L-L League. … Cedar Crest’s key stat is 42.5 – the Falcons are averaging 42.5 yards per punt, the top punting unit in the L-L League.
ABOUT PENN MANOR: Stinger of a loss in Week 9 to Wilson, when the Comets had the Bulldogs on the ropes – in West Lawn – and were minutes from upsetting Wilson on its home field and tying up the Section 1 race with a week to go. But the ‘Dawgs took their first lead with 4:57 to play, then held off Penn Manor and locked up the section crown outright. So the Comets are tied for second place with Manheim Township.
ABOUT CEDAR CREST: Make that two wins in a row for the Falcons, who put up a 70 spot on Reading last Friday after rallying past McCaskey 27-22 in Week 8. So Cedar Crest is feeling frisky, and would love to knock the Comets down a peg in the District 3 Quad-A playoff chase. … Cedar Crest had a pair of 100-yard rushers in the win over Reading – Charles Kyeremeh (160 yards, 2 TD) and Sean Sellers (101, 2 TD). … QB Gary Gristick was finally picked off for the first time this season in the Reading game, but he’s been sizzling hot the last two weeks – 22-of-33 for 382 yards and six TD passes. And the Falcons are 2-0 in those games.

QUOTABLE: Penn Manor coach Todd Mealy (to Lancaster Newspapers, after gut-wrenching 24-20 loss to Wilson) – “What we wanted to do was make sure our kids had peace of mind after the game, knowing that we prepared and that we competed at our maximum level. And I think they did.”

Audio Podcast interview with Penn Manor coach Todd Mealy here.

Audio Podcast interview with Penn Manor QB P.J. Rehm here.

Audio Podcast interview with Cedar Crest QB Gary Gristick here.

THE GAME: Warwick (3-3 Section 1, 5-4 overall) @ Wilson (6-0 Section 1, 8-1 overall), Friday, 7 p.m.
LAST WEEK: Warwick blanked Hempfield 16-0. … Wilson rallied past Penn Manor 24-20 and clinched the Section 1 title outright – the Bulldogs’ 18th section championship.
NOTABLE: Wilson whitewashed Warwick 24-0 last year in Lititz. … Wilson leads the all-time series 11-3. Warwick’s last win came in 2007, in the section opener in West Lawn by a 14-12 score. … Wilson is an honorable mention pick in Quad-A in the latest Harrisburg Patriot-News state rankings. … Wilson is No. 2 in the latest District 3 Quad-A power-point list. Bulldogs, who won the District 3 Quad-A crown last year, should wrap up the No. 2 seed – and three home games – with a win here. Bishop McDevitt, the No. 1 team in the state, has already locked up the top seed. … Warwick is No. 17 in Quad-A in the latest District 3 power-point list, meaning the Warriors are on the outside looking in at the moment. Long story short: Warwick needs a win and plenty of help. Say a prayer, Lititz.
KEY STATS: Warwick’s key stat is 127 – the Warriors have given up 127 points, least among Section 1 teams and fifth-least in the L-L League. … Wilson’s key stat is 147 – the Bulldogs have 147 first downs, most among Section 1 combatants.
ABOUT WARWICK: Warriors’ D opened up a can against Hempfield, holding the Black Knights to 81 total yards and four first downs in Week 9. … Chris Schaffer is the reigning LancSports.com Player of the Week. In the last four games, he’s rushed for 641 yards and seven TD.
ABOUT WILSON: Bulldogs have punted 16 times, least in the L-L League. … Weirdest Wilson stat: ‘Dawgs are a minus-7 in turnover ratio (with 18 giveaways), which is second to last in the L-L League. … Coolest Wilson stat: Other than the mundane TD run and TD pass, the ‘Dawgs have scored five (5) different other ways this season – punt return (Johnny Morgan 65 yards vs. Cedar Crest); kickoff return (Johnny Morgan 93 yards vs. Penn Manor); fumble recovery (Louis Weaver recovered in end zone vs. Manheim Central); interception pick-6 (Erik Schmeck 45 yards vs. Manheim Township); blocked punt return (Sheldon Hannibal-Nixon twice: 28 yards vs. McCaskey and 20 yards vs. Downingtown East). Shane Witmyer has also has a pair of field goals for Wilson.

QUOTABLE: Wilson coach Doug Dahms (to the Reading Eagle, after the Bulldogs pulled off the comeback and picked off Penn Manor) – “It was a great comeback for the kids. They played hard and had a great second half. They played like champs.”

Audio Podcast interview with Warwick coach Bob Locker here.

Audio Podcast interview with Warwick RB/LB Chris Schaffer here.

THE GAME: Elizabethtown (3-3 Section 2, 4-5 overall) @ Lebanon (3-3 Section 2, 3-6 overall), Friday, 7 p.m.
LAST WEEK: Elizabethtown outlasted Ephrata 35-34 in triple-overtime. … Lebanon was blanked by Manheim Central 47-0.
NOTABLE: Lebanon held off Elizabethtown 28-21 last year in E-town.
KEY STATS: Elizabethtown’s key stat is 256 – Brendan Kain (144 yards, 2 TD) and Jared Danneker (112 yards, 2 TD) combined to rush for 256 yards in the Bears’ thrill-a-minute 35-34 triple-OT win over Ephrata. Danneker scored the go-ahead TD and blocked Ephrata’s potential game-tying extra point in the third OT to ice the win for E-town. … Lebanon’s key stat is 11 – the Cedars have turned the ball over 11 times (six interceptions and five fumbles) in their last three games – all losses.
ABOUT ELIZABETHTOWN: Picked up the funkiest win of the season last Friday in 35-34 triple-OT victory over Ephrata. … RB Brendan Kain has picked up the pace from the feature back spot since Mitch Weidman went down with a season-ending foot injury. Kain rolled for 144 yards and a pair of scores in the Ephrata game, and he’s up to 549 rushing yards and five TD.
ABOUT LEBANON: Losing streak hit three in a row after a 47-0 loss to Manheim Central in Week 9; Cedars have lost three in a row, then won three in a row, and have now lost three in a row. … First three Section 2 games: 3-0; outscored opponents 89-27; plus-10 in turnover ratio. … Last three Section 2 games: 0-3; outscored by opponents 109-21; minus-8 in turnover ratio.

QUOTABLE: Elizabethtown coach Mike Cottle (to Lancaster Newspapers, after the Bears survived Ephrata 35-34 on a blocked PAT kick in the third OT) – “It’s a shame for a team to lose that one. I know how they fell because I know how I’d have felt. It was just a shame that one of us had to lose that game.”

Audio Podcast interview with Lebanon coach Gerry Yonchiuk here.

Audio Podcast interview with Lebanon QB Alex Trautman here.

THE GAME: Ephrata (1-5 Section 2, 1-8 overall) @ Conestoga Valley (4-2 Section 2, 6-3 overall), Friday, 7 p.m.
LAST WEEK: Ephrata took Elizabethtown to triple-overtime but dropped a 35-34 gut-wrencher. … Conestoga Valley was clipped by Cocalico 21-14.
NOTABLE: In a battle of winless teams, Conestoga Valley edged Ephrata 26-21 last year in Ephrata, pinning a 0-10 season on the Mountaineers and salvaging a second straight 1-9 season of its own. … This will be Ephrata’s final game in L-L League Section 2 – for at least the next two years. The Mountaineers will bump to Section 1 next year in the league’s next scheduling cycle. Lampeter-Strasburg will jump from Section 3 to Section 2, leaving Section 3 with seven teams – and four non-league games apiece. … Conestoga Valley is No. 11 in Triple-A in the latest District 3 power-point list. Bucks have clinched a spot in the postseason, but will likely need a win and help to get a first-round home game. This will be CV’s first postseason trip since 2006, when the Bucks won a first-round game over Muhlenberg.
KEY STATS: Ephrata’s key stat is 200.7 – the Mountaineers are averaging 200.7 yards per game, 22nd-best in the league. But it’s the first time this season Ephrata is averaging 200 or more yards per game. … Conestoga Valley’s key stat is 8 – the Buckskins are a plus-8 in turnover ratio, tied for third-best in the L-L League.
ABOUT EPHRATA: Oy. Mounts just can’t catch a break. Ephrata scored in the fourth quarter to force overtime against Elizabethtown, but fell in the third OT when an extra point kick was blocked. Been that kinda two-year run for the Mounts, who have now lost 18 of their last 19 games dating back to Week 10 of 2007.
ABOUT CONESTOGA VALLEY: The injury bug has bitten the Buckskins in a big way. A couple of starters missed last Friday’s game at Cocalico. And now two major two-way players have been banged up pretty good (sorry – sworn to secrecy as to their identity). So CV will be shorthanded against Ephrata, but the Bucks will have RB Kevin Kelley chasing history. The league’s leading rusher (1,800 yards) needs 200 yards for a 2,000-yard regular season. The last L-L League back to do that was Lebanon Catholic’s Tommy Long back in 1996.

QUOTABLE: Ephrata coach Jim Vieland (to Lancaster Newspapers, after the Mountaineers dropped a 35-34 triple-overtime heartbreaker to Elizabethtown when the Bears blocked a PAT kick) – “It seemed like that’s how the game was going to end, on something like a missed snap or a fumble, because both teams just wouldn’t be denied.”

Audio Podcast interview with Ephrata coach Jim Vieland here.

Audio Podcast interview with Ephrata RB George Murray here.

Audio Podcast interview with CV coach Tom Nichols here.

Audio Podcast interview with CV QB Alex Dienner here.

Audio Podcast interview with CV RB Kevin Kelley here.

Audio Podcast interview with CV WR/DB Stefan Sensenig here.

Audio Podcast interview with CV WR/DB Leonard Williams here.

THE GAME: Garden Spot (0-6 Section 2, 0-9 overall) @ Manheim Central (6-0 Section 2, 9-0 overall), Friday, 7 p.m.
ON THE TUBE: This game will be broadcast live by Blue Ridge TV-11.
LAST WEEK: Garden Spot saw its losing skid hit 10 games in a row in a 41-7 loss to Solanco. … Manheim Central waxed Lebanon 47-0 and clinched its 20th Section 2 championship. Yep, 20.
NOTABLE: Manheim Central survived Garden Spot 24-19 last year in New Holland. … Manheim Central is No. 4 in Triple-A in the latest Harrisburg Patriot-News state rankings. … Manheim Central is currently No. 1 in Triple-A in the latest District 3 power-point update. The Barons will clinch the No. 1 seed – and three home games – with a win here.
KEY STATS: Garden Spot’s key stat is 55 – the Spartans have scored 55 points this season, least in the L-L League. … Manheim Central’s key stat is 76 – the Barons have allowed 76 points this season, least in the L-L League.
ABOUT GARDEN SPOT: Spartans have been penalized just 31 times, least in the L-L League. … Looking to avoid first 0-7 Section 2 season since 2001.
ABOUT MANHEIM CENTRAL: Barons haven’t given up a point since Ephrata QB Jeremy Franck hit Andrew Burkholder for a 56-yard TD in the fourth quarter in Week 6; Central hasn’t given up a point in 12 quarters. … Central has scored 365 points, second-most in the L-L League (Lancaster Catholic has 366). And the Barons have outscored their opponents 365-76 for a plus-289 scoring margin, tops in the L-L League. … Central has won via shutout in three games in a row and in four of its last five games. In their last five games, the Barons have outscored their opponents 219-23. Central has five shutout victories overall. … Central is tied with Elco for most first downs in the L-L League (157). … Locks up No. 1 seed in District 3 Triple-A playoff chase with a win here. … Coach Mike Williams has 296 career victories.

QUOTABLE: Manheim Central coach Mike Williams (to Lancaster Newspapers, after the Barons beat Lebanon and clinched the outright Section 2 championship) – “If we would have won a section title 20 years ago, we’d have a flatbed truck waiting out there and we’d parade around town. It’s one more step toward 10-0 and the first seed in Districts. That’s really the bigger prize here. … We had a goal to go 10-0, so this was a big step.”

Audio Podcast interview with Manheim Central coach Mike Williams here.

Audio Podcast interview with Manheim Central QB Justin Gorman here.

Audio Podcast interview with Manheim Central WR/LB Dakota Royer here.

Audio Podcast interview with Manheim Central RB/LB Lowen Johnson here.

Audio Podcast interview with Manheim Central WR/DB Dan Trafford here.

Audio Podcast interview with Manheim Central’s Joe Weaver here.

Audio Podcast interview with Manheim Central kicker Taylor Groff here.

THE GAME: Cocalico (4-2 Section 2, 7-2 overall) @ Solanco (3-3 Section 2, 5-4 overall), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
LAST WEEK: Cocalico came from behind and conquered Conestoga Valley 21-14. … Solanco sailed past Garden Spot 41-7.
NOTABLE: Cocalico shutout Solanco 28-0 last year in Denver. … Cocalico is currently No. 8 in Triple-A in the latest District 3 power-point ratings, meaning the Eagles are right on the bubble line for a home game. A victory here should get Cocalico a Round 1 game in Denver. … Solanco is currently No. 17 in Triple-A in the latest District 3 power-point ratings, so the Golden Mules are out on the outside looking in. Math is simple for Solanco: Win and get help and they have a shot. Mules will be scoreboard watching come last Friday.
KEY STATS: Cocalico’s key stat is 2,861 – the Eagles have rushed for 2,861 yards, tops in the L-L League. … Solanco’s key stat is 3 – the Mules are riding a 3-game winning streak, and will likely need to make it 4 if they want a shot at the District 3 Triple-A playoffs. Solanco is on the bubble, and needs a W and help.
ABOUT COCALICO: QB Matt Carty rejoined the lineup after missing the last 2 ½ games with a leg injury. And he looked good in the win over Conestoga Valley with 70 rushing yards and a TD on offense, and a clutch interception from his safety spot late in the game to ice the Eagles’ come-from-behind win over the Bucks, who were bumped from the Section 2 hunt. … Cocalico has the top-ranked offense in the L-L League, cranking out 386.8 yards per game. … Eagles have the third-ranked D in the league, yielding just 208.6 yards per game. … Cocalico did a good job bottling up CV’s Kevin Kelley, limiting him to a season-low 113 yards and, more importantly, no touchdowns or even long runs. Kelley’s longest carry was an 11-yard gainer. Eagles’ D has allowed 843 rushing yards, fourth-lowest in the L-L League.
ABOUT SOLANCO: Mules’ punting unit is averaging 25.6 yards per boot, last in the L-L League. … Solanco has passed for 451 yards, least in the L-L League. … RB B.J. Enck is averaging 10.5 yards per carry, tops in the L-L League among backs with 400 or more rushing yards.

QUOTABLE: Cocalico coach Dave Gingrich (to Lancaster Newspapers, after the Eagles ‘held’ CV standout Kevin Kelley to a season-low 113 yards) – “The philosophy was I didn’t want him to beat us. I know he could. But I didn’t want him to beat us. If we’re going to lose this game, it wasn’t going to be because No. 31 (Kelley) ran for 350 yards.”

Cocalico’s Andrew Prevoznik (to Lancaster Newspapers, on the Eagles’ D keeping tabs on Kelley) – “We focused on him. We knew he was going to get the ball close to 40 times. We knew they were just going to keep going back to him and feeding him until he broke a big one. We just didn’t want to let that happen.”

Audio Podcast interview with Cocalico coach Dave Gingrich here.

Audio Podcast interview with Cocalico QB/DB Matt Carty here.

Audio Podcast interview with Cocalico FB Austin Hartman here.

Audio Podcast interview with Cocalico RB/LB Jon Smoker here.

Audio Podcast interview with Cocalico’s Ben Brugger here.

Audio Podcast interview with Cocalico WR/LB Kyle Rissell here.

Story about Solanco’s Matt Gibson and his fight against Asperger’s Syndrome here.

Audio Podcast interview with Solanco coach Joe Pearson here.

Audio Podcast interview with Solanco RB John Fisher here.

Audio Podcast interview with Solanco RB Ryan Kutz here.

THE GAME: Elco (5-1 Section 3, 8-1 overall) @ Lancaster Catholic (6-0 Section 3, 8-1 overall), Friday, 7 p.m.
LIVE BLOG: Keith Schweigert will be blogging live from this game at LancSports.com. So if you can’t make it to Rossmere, check out Keith online for analysis and instant updates, scores from around the league and your questions and comments.
LAST WEEK: Elco erupted for a 44-14 victory over Donegal. … Lancaster Catholic rocked Annville-Cleona 49-7.
NOTABLE: Lancaster Catholic flattened Elco 42-7 last year in Myerstown. … Lancaster Catholic is No. 6 in Double-A in the latest Harrisburg Patriot-News state rankings. … Elco is No. 9 in Triple-A in the latest District 3 power-point list. A win would jump the Raiders into a home game in Round 1. A loss would knock them down a few pegs, meaning a trickier road tester in Round 1. … Lancaster Catholic, the reigning champ, is No. 1 in Double-A in the latest District 3 power-point ratings. A win Friday would mean the No. 1 seed and two home games for the Crusaders.
KEY STATS: Elco’s key stat is 24 – the Raiders have 24 takeaways on D, tops in the L-L League. … Lancaster Catholic’s key stat is 366 – the Crusaders have scored 366 points this season, tops in the L-L League.
ABOUT ELCO: Raiders piled up 26 first downs in Week 9 win over Donegal. It’s the second time Elco had 26 first downs in a game this season (Week 4 vs. Northern Lebanon), and that’s the most first downs in a game in the league this season. … QB Arron Achey career numbers: 3,757 passing yards and 3,584 rushing yards. … Survived 11 penalties for 110 yards in the win vs. Donegal. … Raiders have 157 first downs, tied for most in the L-L League with Manheim Central. … Elco is a plus-17 in turnover ratio, tops in the league, with just seven giveaways, least in the league.
ABOUT LANCASTER CATHOLIC: Crusaders have given up 815 rushing yards, least in the L-L League, and the Crusaders are second in the league in total team D (181.3).

QUOTABLE: Lancaster Catholic QB Kyle Smith (to Lancaster Newspapers, after setting the state TD-passing record in the victory over Annville-Cleona) – “The pressure didn’t bother me too much. My teammates kept things loose this week. It’s great to share this with such a great bunch of guys.”

Audio Podcast interview with Elco QB Arron Achey here.

Audio Podcast interview with Lancaster Catholic coach Bruce Harbach here.

Audio Podcast interview with Lancaster Catholic QB Kyle Smith here.

Audio Podcast interview with Lancaster Catholic RB Jordan Stewart here.

Audio Podcast interview with Lancaster Catholic LB Hans Kessler here.

Audio Podcast interview with Lancaster Catholic’s Andrew Heise here.

THE GAME: Donegal (1-5 Section 3, 1-8 overall) @ Columbia (0-6 Section 3, 0-9 overall), Friday, 7 p.m.
LAST WEEK: Donegal dropped a 44-14 decision to Elco. … Columbia fell to Pequea Valley 27-12.
NOTABLE: Columbia defeated Donegal 42-27 last year in Mount Joy.
KEY STATS: Donegal’s key stat is 162.3 – the Indians are averaging 162.3 yards per game on offense, least in the L-L League. … Columbia’s key stat is 371 – the Crimson Tide has yielded 371 points this season, most in the L-L League.
ABOUT DONEGAL: Indians had just 162 yards and four first downs in Week 9 loss to Elco. … Donegal has 63 first downs, least in the L-L League. … Indians have punted 51 times, most in the L-L League. … WR Michael Shipman has a team-best 10 catches and five of them have gone for touchdowns. He’s scored all five of Donegal’s receiving touchdowns this season, and he’s averaging 29.4 yards per catch.
ABOUT COLUMBIA: Crimson Tide was penalized (gulp) 21 times for 182 yards in the Week 9 loss to Pequea Valley. Columbia coach Jason Shoff was ejected from the game, and PIAA rules state he may not coach this week; assistant coach Dave Mowrer will guide the team. Tide will also be short two players, who were ejected late in the Pequea Valley game. … Columbia has been penalized a league-high 83 times for a league-high 636 yards in march-offs. … Tide has 27 giveaways on offense, most in the league, and minus-16 turnover ratio is last in the league. … Looking to avoid first ever winless Section 3 campaign; worst was a 1-7 finish in 1976 in Les Schoelkoph’s only season as head coach. … Columbia has yielded 1,344 passing yards, most in the L-L League.

Audio Podcast interview with Donegal coach Jeff Polites here.

Audio Podcast interview with Donegal RB A.J. Pacana here.

THE GAME: Lampeter-Strasburg (5-1 Section 3, 6-3 overall) @ Annville-Cleona (3-3 Section 3, 3-6 overall), Friday, 7 p.m.
LAST WEEK: Lampeter-Strasburg remained hot in its 42-7 victory over Northern Lebanon. … Annville-Cleona scored first, then gave up 49 unanswered points in a 49-7 loss to Lancaster Catholic.
NOTABLE: Lampeter-Strasburg axed Annville-Cleona 42-7 last year in Lampeter. … This is Lampeter-Strasburg’s final game in L-L League Section 3 – for now. The Pioneers will bump up to Section 2 next season in the L-L League’s next scheduling cycle. Nobody will replace Lampeter-Strasburg in Section 3, which will feature seven teams – with four non-league games each – for at least the next two years. Ball’s in your court, Palmyra. And without looking too far ahead: Manheim Central is slated to go down to Section 3 for the 2012-2013 cycle. Donegal would go up. And nobody has asked for the Hornberger Rule yet to switch with the Barons. Sit tight on that one. … Lampeter-Strasburg is No. 13 in Triple-A in the latest District 3 power-point list. Pioneers are lurking toward the bubble, but a victory should safely put them into the playoffs – but they will travel in Round 1.
KEY STATS: Lampeter-Strasburg’s key stat is 21 – the Pioneers have 21 takeaways on defense, second-most in the L-L League. … Annville-Cleona’s key stat is 225 – the Little Dutchmen have 225 yards in penalty march-offs this season, least in the L-L League.
ABOUT LAMPETER-STRASBURG: Winning streak is at four in a row, and the Pioneers have outscored their foes 163-21 over that torrid clip, with a pair of shutout victories tossed in for good measure. … Chad Frey scored three different ways in the win over Annville-Cleona: TD run on offense, punt return on special teams and a pick-6 on D. … Frey needs 143 rushing yards for 1,000 in the regular season. No L-S RB under coach John Manion has rushed for 1,000 yards in a 10-game regular season. This is Manion’s 12th season as the Pioneers’ head coach.
ABOUT ANNVILLE-CLEONA: RB Rickey Snyder is sixth in the L-L League in rushing (1,029 yards). … Dutchmen have passed for 438 yards, least in the L-L League.

QUOTABLE: Lampeter-Strasburg’s Chad Frey (to Lancaster Newspapers, after he scored five touchdowns in the Pioneers’ 42-7 win at Northern Lebanon) – “This was a must-win game. If we lost we probably weren’t going to go to Districts, so we knew we had to come out and win.”

Audio Podcast interview with L-S coach John Manion here.

Audio Podcast interview with L-S FB/DE Zach Halpin here.

Audio Podcast interview with L-S TE/DE Christian DelRocini here.

Audio Podcast interview with A-C RB Rickey Snyder here.

THE GAME: Northern Lebanon (3-3 Section 3, 5-4 overall) @ Pequea Valley (1-5 Section 3, 2-7 overall), Friday, 7 p.m.
LAST WEEK: Northern Lebanon was tripped up by Lampeter-Strasburg 42-7. … Pequea Valley picked off Columbia 27-12.
NOTABLE: Northern Lebanon knocked off Pequea Valley 46-7 last year in Fredericksburg. … Northern Lebanon is currently No. 20 in Triple-A in the latest District 3 power-point list, so the Vikings will need a win and some major help from around the district to make the playoffs for the third year in a row.
KEY STATS: Northern Lebanon’s key stat is 8 ½ - LB Dom Diangelis has 8 ½ sacks this season, a new single-season program record. … Pequea Valley’s key stat is 22 – the Braves have 22 giveaways on offense, second-most in the L-L League.
ABOUT NORTHERN LEBANON: Right on the bubble line for the District 3 Triple-A playoffs, so the Vikings will need a win and some major help in Week 10 to go to the postseason for the third year in a row. Keep your fingers crossed, Fredericksburg. … Only team in the league with a trio of 500-plus –yard rushers: RB Colton Ryan (661 yards, 7 TD), RB Ryan Daub (630 yards, 5 TD) and QB Tanner Dresch (559 yards, 7 TD).
ABOUT PEQUEA VALLEY: First 2-win season for the Braves since 2003, when Pequea Valley went 2-8 (with wins over Donegal and Northern Lebanon). … Will be minus a player after an ejection in last Friday’s wild, flag-filled win over Columbia. … Braves are last in the league in total team defense, yielding 384.1 yards per game. Pequea Valley has also given up 2,405 rushing yards, most in the L-L League. … QB Ben Myers leads the L-L League in completions (153), pass attempts (286) and passing yards (1,941). … WR Chad Tyson leads the L-L League with 43 catches; WR Tyler Schmitt is second with 38.

QUOTABLE: Northern Lebanon coach Jack Beidler (to the Lebanon Daily News, after the Vikings fell to L-S last Friday) – “We need to take care of business and see where the chips fall. Even if we don’t move on, a win gives us a third straight winning season, which is great for the program.”

Audio Podcast interview with Pequea Valley coach Curtis Waltman here.

Audio Podcast interview with Pequea Valley QB Ben Myers here.

Audio Podcast interview with Pequea Valley RB Ray Ball here.

RUSHING

Kevin Kelley, CV – 285 for 1,800 yards, 6.3 avg., 22 TD
Austin Hartman, Cocalico – 183 for 1,246 yards, 6.8 avg., 17 TD
Brian Sourber, Manheim Township – 197 for 1,222 yards, 6.2 avg., 18 TD
Arron Achey, Elco – 121 for 1,109 yards, 9.2 avg., 13 TD
Jason Stewart, Reading – 156 for 1,078 yards, 6.9 avg., 16 TD
Rickey Snyder, Annville-Cleona – 198 for 1,029 yards, 5.2 avg., 7 TD
Jordan Stewart, Lancaster Catholic – 116 for 965 yards, 8.3 avg., 12 TD
Markeith Williams, McCaskey – 131 for 925 yards, 7.0 avg., 10 TD
Joe Gruber, Manheim Central – 121 for 875 yards, 7.2 avg., 12 TD
Chris Schaffer, Warwick – 185 for 871 yards, 4.7 avg., 11 TD
Chad Frey, L-S – 92 for 857 yards, 9.3 avg., 9 TD
B.J. Enck, Solanco – 79 for 826 yards, 10.5 avg., 5 TD
Charles Kyeremeh, Cedar Crest – 124 for 784 yards, 6.3 avg., 9 TD
George Murray, Ephrata – 202 for 781 yards, 3.9 avg., 8 TD
Spencer Lehr, Hempfield – 144 for 765 yards, 5.3 avg., 9 TD
Kriss Brown, Wilson – 80 for 732 yards, 9.2 avg., 9 TD
Colton Ryan, N. Lebanon – 101 for 661 yards, 6.5 avg., 7 TD
Ryan Daub, N. Lebanon – 84 for 630 yards, 7.5 avg., 5 TD
P.J. Rehm, Penn Manor – 121 for 620 yards, 5.1 avg., 3 TD
Matt Carty, Cocalico – 58 for 583 yards, 10.1 avg., 5 TD
Laronn Lee, Penn Manor – 63 for 566 yards, 9.0 avg., 7 TD
Tanner Dresch, N. Lebanon – 103 for 559 yards, 5.4 avg., 7 TD
Brendan Kain, E-town – 72 for 549 yards, 7.6 avg., 5 TD
Ryan Kutz, Solanco – 100 for 537 yards, 5.4 avg., 6 TD
John Fisher, Solanco – 81 for 529 yards, 6.4 avg., 4 TD
Justin Weatherholtz, Elco – 105 for 523 yards, 5.0 avg., 6 TD
Adrian Westbrook, McCaskey – 72 for 503 yards, 6.9 avg., 2 TD
Zach Halpin, L-S – 95 for 483 yards, 5.1 avg., 8 TD
Justin Gorman, Manheim Central – 100 for 478 yards, 4.8 avg., 12 TD
Xavier Baker, Lebanon – 95 for 450 yards, 4.7 avg., 4 TD
Jared Fox, Garden Spot – 145 for 449 yards, 3.1 avg., 2 TD
Brady Souders, Manheim Township – 64 for 433 yards, 7.9 avg., 2 TD
Nick Greth, Wilson – 81 for 421 yards, 5.2 avg., 8 TD

PASSING EFFICIENCY

Kyle Smith, Lanc. Catholic – 84 of 134 for 1,515 yards, 31 TD, 2 picks – 231.0
Arron Achey, Elco – 90 of 151 for 1,455 yards, 20 TD, 2 picks – 181.6
Gary Gristick, Cedar Crest – 70 of 115 for 1,113 yards, 12 TD, 1 pick – 173.4
P.J. Rehm, Penn Manor – 47 of 100 for 977 yards, 13 TD, 2 pick – 168.0
Nate Shank, L-S – 56 of 97 for 884 yards, 10 TD, 2 picks – 164.2
Jon Yuko, Manheim Township – 40 of 65 for 552 yards, 5 TD, 1 pick – 155.2
Zach Zweizig, Wilson – 104 of 184 for 1,482 yards, 15 TD, 9 picks – 141.3
Justin Gorman, Man. Central – 96 of 172 for 1,285 yards, 10 TD, 8 picks – 128.5
Mike Farace, Hempfield – 40 of 80 for 659 yards, 6 TD, 7 picks – 126.4
Matt Carty, Cocalico – 23 of 54 for 376 yards, 4 TD, 0 picks – 125.5
Ben Myers, Pequea Valley – 153 of 286 for 1,941 yards, 16 TD, 10 picks – 122.0
Alex Dienner, CV – 49 of 84 for 632 yards, 3 TD, 5 picks – 121.4
Freddy Pena, Reading – 79 of 130 for 816 yards, 5 TD, 6 picks – 117.0
Ryan Schweitzer, Cocalico – 14 of 30 for 244 yards, 2 TD, 3 picks – 117.0
Andy Breault, E-town – 76 of 155 for 902 yards, 8 TD, 3 picks – 108.0
Seth Lefever, Columbia – 62 of 144 for 1,198 yards, 7 TD, 16 picks – 106.8
Adrian Westbrook, McCaskey – 32 of 76 for 560 yards, 3 TD, 4 picks – 106.5
Tanner Dresch, N. Lebanon – 50 of 116 for 678 yards, 6 TD, 2 picks – 105.8
John Armbrust, Garden Spot – 58 of 114 for 709 yards, 3 TD, 5 picks – 103.0
Matt Kolp, Donegal – 34 of 89 for 544 yards, 5 TD, 3 picks – 101.3
Alex Trautman, Lebanon – 108 of 237 for 1,307 yards 10 TD, 8 picks – 99.1
Jordan Donmoyer, Warwick – 79 of 168 for 995 yards, 5 TD, 7 picks – 98.3
Jeremy Franck, Ephrata – 44 of 107 for 576 yards, 5 TD, 7 picks – 88.7
Tyson Hayes, A-C – 23 of 62 for 355 yards, 4 TD, 7 picks – 85.3
Justin Zellman, Solanco – 45 of 107 for 447 yards, 7 TD, 8 picks – 83.9
Nic Rosales, Garden Spot – 11 of 31 for 132 yards, 0 TD, 1 pick – 64.8
Lance Kopp, Ephrata – 26 of 61 for 255 yards, 0 TD, 5 picks – 61.3

QB rating based on NCAA passing formula: (8.4 x yards) plus (330 x TDs) minus (200 x interceptions) plus (100 x completions) divided by pass attempts. Minimum 30 attempts.

RECEPTIONS

Chad Tyson, Pequea Valley – 43 for 591 yards, 13.7 avg., 4 TD
Tyler Schmitt, Pequea Valley – 38 for 541 yards, 14.2 avg., 5 TD
Matt Rissinger, Warwick – 35 for 405 yards, 11.6 avg., 1 TD
Hansel Akers, Hempfield – 33 for 451 yards, 13.7 avg., 2 TD
Tyler Purvis, Lancaster Catholic – 33 for 622 yards, 18.8 avg., 11 TD
Brian Quinones, Lebanon – 31 for 364 yards, 11.7 avg., 3 TD
Tyler George, Elco – 29 for 443 yards, 15.3 avg., 7 TD
Nick Pastrana, Lebanon – 28 for 364 yards, 13.0 avg., 3 TD
Jesse Sales, Lebanon – 27 for 371 yards, 13.7 avg., 4 TD
Mitch Weidman, E-town – 26 for 357 yards, 13.7 avg., 3 TD
Matthew Perry, Reading – 25 for 278 yards, 11.1 avg., 1 TD
Mike Rice, Pequea Valley – 25 for 392 yards, 15.7 avg., 4 TD
Connor Schlegel, Garden Spot – 25 for 289 yards, 11.6 avg., 1 TD
Tyler Beck, Wilson – 24 for 488 yards, 20.3 avg., 6 TD
Dan Trafford, Manheim Central – 24 for 376 yards, 15.7 avg., 4 TD
Michael Burke, Columbia – 22 for 478 yards, 21.7 avg., 5 TD
Yamil Echavarria, Reading – 22 for 261 yards, 11.9 avg., 3 TD
Eric Ondo, Elco – 22 for 414 yards, 18.8 avg., 7 TD
Alex Beckley, Columbia – 21 for 341 yards, 16.2 avg., 3 TD
Josh Henning, A-C – 21 for 212 yards, 10.1 avg., 3 TD
Johnny Morgan, Wilson – 21 for 257 yards, 12.2 avg., 2 TD
Kyle Rissell, Cocalico – 21 for 391 yards, 18.6 avg., 5 TD
Christian DelRocini, L-S – 21 for 319 yards, 16.0 avg., 6 TD
Laronn Lee, Penn Manor – 20 for 359 yards, 18.0 avg., 3 TD
Derek Hart, Manheim Central – 19 for 248 yards, 13.1 avg., 3 TD
Brian Keaton, N. Lebanon – 19 for 227 yards, 11.9 avg., 1 TD
Stefan Sensenig, CV – 25 for 255 yards, 10.2 avg., 1 TD
Brian Sourber, Manheim Township – 19 for 201 yards, 10.6 avg., 3 TD
Bryan Bowman, Elco – 18 for 233 yards, 12.9 avg., 4 TD
Casey Ebersole, Manheim Central – 18 for 171 yards, 9.5 avg., 0 TD
D.J. Johnson, Warwick – 18 for 248 yards, 13.8 avg., 1 TD
Dakota Royer, Manheim Central – 18 for 380 yards, 21.1 avg., 3 TD
Ray Ball, Pequea Valley – 17 for 143 yards, 8.4 avg., 2 TD
Ryan Clarke, Pequea Valley – 17 for 163 yards, 9.6 avg., 0 TD
Nate Horn, Cedar Crest – 17 for 219 yards, 12.9 avg., 4 TD
Denny Nazario, Reading – 17 for 156 yards, 9.2 avg., 1 TD
Zach Sandoe, Ephrata – 16 for 163 yards, 10.2 avg., 0 TD
Lucardy Jean-Francois, Cedar Crest – 15 for 226 yards, 15.1 avg., 3 TD

TOTAL TEAM OFFENSE

Cocalico – 2,861 rush, 620 pass – 386.8
Elco – 2,012 rush, 1,456 pass – 385.3
Manheim Central – 1,982 rush, 1,398 pass – 375.6
Lancaster Catholic – 1,620 rush, 1,649 pass – 363.2
Wilson – 1,662 rush, 1,524 pass – 354.0
Lampeter-Strasburg – 2,199 rush, 962 pass – 351.2
Conestoga Valley – 2,272 rush, 665 pass – 326.3
Manheim Township – 2,171 rush, 703 pass – 319.3
Penn Manor – 1,790 rush, 1,064 pass – 317.1
Cedar Crest – 1,564 rush, 1,113 pass – 297.4
Pequea Valley – 644 rush, 1,998 pass – 293.6
Solanco – 2,188 rush, 451 pass – 293.2
Northern Lebanon – 1,927 rush, 678 pass – 289.4
Warwick – 1,510 rush, 1,041 pass – 283.4
McCaskey – 1,771 rush, 705 pass – 275.1
Reading – 1,600 rush, 875 pass – 275.0
Hempfield – 1,483 rush, 926 pass – 267.7
Elizabethtown – 1,491 rush, 902 pass – 265.9
Lebanon – 682 rush, 1,520 pass – 244.7
Columbia – 861 rush, 1,296 pass – 239.7
Annville-Cleona – 1,642 rush, 438 pass – 231.1
Ephrata – 975 rush, 831 pass – 200.7
Garden Spot – 750 rush, 841 pass – 176.8
Donegal – 840 rush, 621 pass – 162.3

TOTAL TEAM DEFENSE

Manheim Central – 871 rush, 719 pass – 176.7
Lancaster Catholic – 815 rush, 817 pass – 181.3
Cocalico – 843 rush, 1,034 pass – 208.6
Lampeter-Strasburg – 969 rush, 984 pass – 217.0
Wilson – 1,219 rush, 877 pass – 232.9
Hempfield – 1,372 rush, 761 pass – 237.0
Warwick – 1,444 rush, 712 pass – 239.6
Elco – 1,258 rush, 908 pass – 240.7
Penn Manor – 1,436 rush, 787 pass – 247.0
Manheim Township – 1,452 rush, 930 pass – 264.7
Solanco – 1,436 rush, 1,027 pass – 273.7
Conestoga Valley – 1,639 rush, 867 pass – 278.4
Lebanon – 1,639 rush, 1,075 pass – 301.6
Northern Lebanon – 1,672 rush, 1,068 pass – 304.4
McCaskey – 2,122 rush, 678 pass – 311.1
Ephrata – 1,851 rush, 958 pass – 312.1
Elizabethtown – 2,014 rush, 846 pass – 317.8
Annville-Cleona – 1,693 rush, 1,337 pass – 336.7
Garden Spot – 2,076 rush, 997 pass – 341.4
Reading – 2,220 rush, 915 pass – 346.1
Donegal – 2,169 rush, 1,001 pass – 352.2
Cedar Crest – 2,055 rush, 1,123 pass – 353.1
Columbia – 1,986 rush, 1,344 pass – 370.0
Pequea Valley – 2,405 rush, 1,052 pass – 384.1

Chris Schaffer spent the first two years of his varsity football career playing lead fullback, sacrificing his body while blowing open holes for former Warwick standout scatback Eric Resch.

Then his senior season rolled around this fall, and for the first couple of weeks Schaffer was back at his familiar fullback spot, doing the grunt work and getting the occasional carry on a short-down situation.

That all changed around mid-season.

With some injuries and some inconsistencies in the backfield, Warwick coach Bob Locker turned Schaffer – a rugged 6-2, 217-pound bulldozer – into the Warriors’ feature back.

Great move, Coach.

Schaffer has played a starring role in his new position, taking the ball when asked and doing plenty with it.

His last four games have been nothing short of sensational:

Week 6 Reading – 32 carries for 137 yards and two TD.

Week 7 McCaskey – 37 carries for 178 yards and two TD.

Week 8 Penn Manor – 31 carries for 149 yards and two TD.

Week 9 Hempfield – 31 carries for 177 yards and a TD.

Four-week totals – 131 carries for 641 yards and seven TD.

Nine-week totals – 185 carries for 874 yards and 13 TD.

He’s also caught eight passes out of the backfield.

Oh by the way, Schaffer is also one of Warwick’s top defenders. The Warriors’ hard-hitting middle linebacker is second on the team in total tackles, and in nine games he’s made 51 solo stops, assisted on 28 others, scooped up a fumble and picked off a pass.

Schaffer and his defensive mates were stingy last Friday in the Warriors’ 16-0 Section 1 win over Hempfield, holding the Black Knights to just 81 yards and four first downs. And once again, Schaffer led the ground troops with 177 yards and a TD. He also completed a pair of passes for 15 yards out of the ‘Wildcat’ direct-snap package.

For his efforts, Schaffer is the LancSports.com Player of the Week.

A top-notch football player who was a three-year starter at LB and RB for the Warriors, Schaffer is also a standout lacrosse player for Warwick.

He has accepted athletic and academic scholarships to continue playing lacrosse for Division II Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia. The Griffins, who will make their debut as a lacrosse varsity sport next spring, compete in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. Schaffer will join the program in its second season of lax in 2011.

I caught up with Schaffer Monday afternoon and we chatted about his transformation from fullback to feature back, about the big win over Hempfield and the Week 10 challenge at Wilson, about his future playing lacrosse for Chestnut Hill, and some other fun topics, like the World Series, and about his friend Antonio Giorgio, Warwick’s outstanding senior wrestler.

You can listen to the interview by clicking on the ‘play’ button above.

You can also download the Podcast and listen to it on your favorite mp3 player by clicking here.

An up-and-down season of sorts for Warwick.

But a season that included an ultra clutch Section 1 win over Hempfield in Week 9, and a Week 10 game on the horizon at Wilson where the Warriors can leave their mark against the section champs – and maybe, just maybe, end up in the postseason. Playing meaningful football games in Week 10 is a good thing, remember.

Warwick is 3-3 in Section 1 and 5-4 overall – and right on the District 3 Quad-A bubble line. The Warriors will need a win Friday at Wilson, and likely some other help to make the playoff field.

Warwick has been to the District 3 Quad-A playoffs the last three years in a row, and the Warriors would love to make it four straight.

Warwick has won two of its last three games down the stretch, and the Warriors have been getting a ton of mileage out of RB Chris Schaffer, who has taken over as the feature back and has inflicted a ton of damage – while keeping Warwick afloat in the district-playoff chase, like last Friday, when the Warriors blanked Hempfield 16-0, all but eliminating the Black Knights from postseason discussion.

Warwick’s D has also been stingy throughout the first nine weeks. The Warriors’ defensive unit was tops in the L-L League the first several weeks this season, and after holding Hempfield to 81 yards and four first downs, Warwick’s D is giving up just 239.6 yards per game – seventh-best in the league heading into Week 10.

I caught up with Warwick coach Bob Locker on Monday, and we chatted about all the above: the Warriors’ big win over Hempfield, remaining in the playoff hunt, Warwick’s gritty D this season, and about Schaffer, who has been a real find as the Warriors’ feature back.

You can listen to the interview by clicking on the ‘play’ button above.

You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.

Speaking of Warwick …

Former Warriors’ standout QB Jon Resch had a memorable debut for U.S. Coast Guard Academy in its game last Saturday against Maine Maritime.

Resch, a freshman, came off the bench and (get this) completed 34-of-46 passes for 469 yards and six touchdowns. The yards and TD tosses were school record, and the 34 completions tied the program mark.

Resch, a 2008 Warwick grad who last played QB for the Warriors in 2007, when Warwick upset Wilson in West Lawn and went to the district playoffs, replaced starter Jesse Karr, who went down with a first-quarter injury.

Maine Maritime won the New England Football Conference game 76-49, but Resch was named Co-Offensive Player of the Week in the conference for his record-breaking game.

As you know, Lancaster Catholic’s senior QB snapped the tie with former Manheim Township standout Pat Bostick last week and is now the state’s all-time leader with 99 career touchdown passes.

Now that Smith has put that record to bed – and will continue to add to it the rest of this season – the attention turns to the state’s all-time passing yardage chart. And Smith is making a quick climb up that leaderboard.

Smith passed for 242 yards last Friday against Annville-Cleona, upping his career total to 7,304 yards. Against the Little Dutchmen, Smith leapfrogged a pair of former L-L League standouts on the career list: Wilson’s Chad Henne (7,071) and Bostick (7,260).

But here’s the kicker – Wilson Area senior quarterback Tyler Smith, a University of Maryland recruit, passed for 325 yards in the Warriors’ 44-14 win over Saucon Valley last Friday – slipping just ahead of Kyle Smith on the all-time charts.

By the way, Tyler Smith and Wilson Area are 9-0, so they’re heading to the District 11 Triple-A playoffs, where he’ll get an extra game – and perhaps more – to add to his numbers.

Kyle Smith is now sixth in state history in career passing yards.

Here’s the updated list:

Pat Devlin, Downingtown East – 8,192 yards.
D.J. Lenehan, Wilson Area – 7,762 yards.
Evan Kraky, Lakeland – 7,447 yards.
Ron Powlus, Berwick – 7,342 yards.
Tyler Smith, Wilson Area – 7,314 yards.
Kyle Smith, Lancaster Catholic – 7,304 yards.

Kyle Smith needs:
11 yards to pass Tyler Smith, who will be playing vs. Notre Dame (Green Pond).
39 yards to pass Ron Powlus.
144 yards to pass Evan Kraky.
459 yards to pass D.J. Lenehan.
889 yards to pass Pat Devlin.

Looks like this could be a mighty interesting race between Smith and Smith as the playoffs approach.