KEITH SCHWEIGERT, Online Sports Editor

As we head into the final week of the regular season, we finally have a sense of clarity in the District 3 football playoff picture. By my extremely unofficial projections, 11 L-L League teams have already clinched playoff berths, and another three can do so with a win in their regular-season finales.

Before we get into this too deeply, let’s take a refresher course on how the power points are compiled. Teams get 120 points for defeating a team ranked one class higher, 100 points for beating teams in the same class, and 80 points for beating a team ranked one class lower. Teams are also awarded 10 points for every victory earned by a defeated opponent.

With that in mind, here’s a look at how the brackets break down, plus some additional projections and comments:
AAAA
1. Wilson (9-0) — 1,300

2. York (9-0) — 1,070

3. Bishop McDevitt (8-1) — 1,040

4. Cumberland Valley (8-1) — 1,020

5. Central York (8-1) — 980

6. Muhlenberg (7-2) — 900

7. Penn Manor (7-2) — 880

8. Central Dauphin (7-2) — 850

(t) 9. Dallastown (7-2) — 830

(t) 9. Governor Mifflin (7-2) — 830

(t) 9. Hempfield (7-2) — 830

12. Red Land (6-3) — 710

(t) 13. Elizabethtown (6-3) — 690

(t) 13. Warwick (6-3) — 690

(t) 15. Harrisburg (5-4) — 600

(t) 15. Manheim Township (5-4) — 600

ANALYSIS: Wilson, Penn Manor, and Hempfield have clinched berths. The Bulldogs have likely wrapped up top seed in the playoffs, if my math is right. Hempfield can even earn a home playoff game in the first round if it can beat Manheim Township and enough of its opponents earn victories.

Elizabethtown and Warwick can clinch with victories Friday night. The Bears face Lebanon (6-3), while Warwick takes on undefeated Wilson. A loss by either team would not neccessarily be fatal; it would depend on how two teams currently on the outside looking in (Red Lion and Cedar Cliff) fare in Week 10.

Manheim Township needs a victory to get in. A loss against Hempfield would eliminate the Blue Streaks from contention.

AAA

1. Greencastle-Antrim (9-0) — 1,280

2. Mechanicsburg (9-0) — 1,230

(t) 3. Cocalico (8-1) — 1,110

(t) 3. West York (8-1) — 1,110

5. Conrad Weiser (7-2) — 1,030

6. Manheim Central (7-2) — 1,000

7. Garden Spot (6-3) — 840

8. Northern (6-3) — 810

9. Daniel Boone (6-3) — 800

9. Lebanon (6-3) — 800

11. Northern Lebanon (6-3) — 760

12. Susquehanna Township (5-4) — 710

13. Elco (6-3) — 690

14. Palmyra (5-4) — 570

15. Hershey (4-5) — 530

16. Kennard-Dale (4-5) — 510

ANALYSIS: All of the L-L League teams in the running have clinched berths; it’s all about positioning now. Cocalico can’t catch Greencastle-Antrim for the top seed, but the Eagles could jump over Mechanicsburg for the No. 2 seed if the Wildcats fall to Red Land (6-3).

Manheim Central has clinched home-field advantage in the first round; Garden Spot can do the same if the Spartans can find a way to upset the Barons Friday night. A loss would likely cost Garden Spot home field in the first round, because five teams below the Spartans in the standings are within striking distance.

AA

1. Lancaster Catholic (8-1) — 1,160

2. Delone Catholic (8-1) — 1,140

3. Wyomissing (8-1) — 1,130

4. Trinity (7-2) — 1,060

5. Middletown (7-2) 1,030

6. Bermudian Springs (7-2) — 970

7. Biglerville (7-2) — 950

8. Littlestown (7-2) — 920

ANALYSIS: Lancaster Catholic is the current top seed, but will need to beat Elco (6-3) on Friday to keep it. There’s a minuscule chance the Crusaders could even lose the top ranking in spite of a win; Delone Catholic could max out at 1,650 points if with maximum cooperation from its vanquished foes, thereby edging the Crusaders’ 1,580-point maximum.

Annville-Cleona is eliminated from playoff contention in the eight-team field.

A

1. Steelton-Highspire (9-0) — 1,520

2. Camp Hill (7-2) — 1,110

3. Reading Holy Name (7-2) 1,090

4. Reading Central Catholic (5-3) — 750

5. Millersburg (5-4) — 700

6. York Catholic (5-4) — 660

7. Upper Dauphin (4-5) — 520

8. Columbia (2-7) — 320

ANALYSIS: The Crimson Tide is locked into a playoff berth — and a first-round date with top-seeded Steel-High. Good luck with that.