Jim Mora is shocked and appalled.
After 10 weeks of regular-season football, the second season is upon us. Nine Lancaster-Lebanon League teams remain alive as the postseason begins. Two of those teams — former Section 3 foes Cocalico and Elco — will go at it in the first round. Another familiar face — Governor Mifflin — will visit Manheim Township in a reunion of old Section 1 foes.
LancSports.com will be blogging live from a pair of playoff games this week. I’ll be bringing you the action from the Lancaster Catholic-York Suburban clash in Class AA, while Jeff Reinhart will be at Manheim Central’s first-round Class AAA showdown with Shippensburg.
Jeff has capsule previews of every game involving L-L League teams here. His picks will be up later today.
After going 108-28 in my regular-season picks, I’m approaching the postseason with a champion’s swagger (even if I finished in second place). Let’s see if I can keep that momentum going this week.
The picks:
CLASS AAAA
No. 15 York (6-4) at No. 2 Wilson (9-1): The Bulldogs have won eight in a row since their Week 2 loss to Manheim Central, racking up their 19th Section 1 title in the process. York started the season 6-0, but when starting QB Kelvin Parker was sidelined by a collarbone injury in Week 6, the Bearcats crashed and burned. This week, they finally hit the ground for good. York has been outscored 100-14, shutout twice and held to 72 yards per game during its four-game skid. Wilson should have no problem here. I’ll take the Bulldogs.
No. 12 Chambersburg (5-5) at No. 5 Penn Manor (8-2): The Comets are making their second straight trip to Districts, and are looking to improve on last year’s run, when they won a first-round game before bowing out to Cumberland Valley in Round 2. If Penn Manor doesn’t do a better job of protecting the football, this could be a short trip. The Comets turned it over three times against Cedar Crest last week, and had to stage a huge rally to pull out a 36-35 triumph over the 4-6 Falcons. They followed a similar script in their loss to Reading earlier in the season. That said, if Penn Manor can keep possession of the football, I don’t think Chambersburg has the defense to stop them — or enough weapons on offense to win. I’ll take the Comets.
No. 9 Governor Mifflin (6-4) at No. 8 Manheim Township (7-3): This could be one of the most competitive first-round games in the AAAA bracket. The Mustangs will try to pound the ball — they almost never pass — and they have a handful of dangerous running backs in that option attack of theirs. They’ve also held opponents to just 243 yards per game, including just 165 on the ground. That will be a challenge for Township, which is going to look to run behind RB Brian Sourber, one of the league’s top backs this season. The Blue Streaks have a little more variety on offense — they’re the team that brought the Wildcat to the L-L League a few seasons ago, after all — and I think they’ve faced a tougher schedule. So give me Township in a nail-biter.
CLASS AAA
No. 16 Shippensburg (6-4) at No. 1 Manheim Central (10-0): I can’t see any way this is competitive. The Barons have won their last four games by shutout and allowed just 76 points all season. They have six shutouts overall. And, oh yeah — they average 378 yards per game on offense. Shippensburg is riding a three-game winning streak, but those wins came against teams with a combined 6-23 record. The Greyhounds have beaten just one team with a winning record all year — and that was a Class A team (St. Pius X). Put it all together and it spells M-E-R-C-Y R-U-L-E. Give me the Barons.
No. 10 Elco (8-2) at No. 7 Cocalico (8-2): This could be the best AAA game on the docket. Two very good offenses going at it. Sounds like fun. Elco QB Arron Achey does just about everything for the Raiders. He’s passed for 1,600 yards, rushed for 1,100 and accounted for 37 touchdowns. And he starts at linebacker. Elco should probably change its nickname to the Fightin’ Acheys, at least for this season. So Cocalico won’t have to look too hard to find the guy to key on. The Eagles nearly knocked off Manheim Central in Week 4, and their Week 6 loss to Lebanon can be marked down as a fluke (starting QB Matt Carty went down with an injury early in that one). I’m leaning Cocalico’s way here, but it should be one heck of a game. Give me the Eagles.
No. 11 Conestoga Valley (6-4) at No. 6 Northern York (8-2): It’s a shame for CV. The Buckskins were cruising along, then got nailed by a series of crucial injuries. They’ve lost two in a row and three of four heading into the playoffs. Last week, they were beaten by 2-8 Ephrata. Not a good sign. Northern has made six straight playoff trips, though the Polar Bears have done little of note once they’ve gotten there. Still, I think they’ll have enough in the tank to overcome the wounded Buckskins. If CV was at full strength, that would be one thing. But I’ll take da Bears.
No. 13 Lampeter-Strasburg (7-3) at No. 4 Conrad Weiser (8-2): Before the brackets came out, I had the Pioneers as my upset pick in the first round. I knew they’d get a low seed, but their 7-3 record is deceiving. Their three losses came against playoff qualifiers — Cocalico, Penn Manor and Lancaster Catholic — by a total of 18 points. And they’re riding a five-game winning streak. But Conrad Weiser is just as hot. The Scouts have won six in a row, and have a tremendous talent in D.J. Robinson, who is their top rusher and receiver. He lines up everywhere. He’ll give the L-S defense a headache. Suddenly, I’m not so confident in my upset special pick, but I’ll stick to my guns. Give me the Pioneers.
CLASS AA
No. 8 York Suburban (7-3) at No. 1 Lancaster Catholic (9-1): The Crusaders are making their sixth straight trip to the district playoffs, and have made it through the first round each time. In their last three district openers, they’ve won by a combined score of 112-46. This one could be a little more competitive; York Suburban is pretty good. They’ve got a solid defense — which is key when you’re facing Catholic — and their run-heavy offense uses a variety of formations and misdirection. Still, this is Catholic. I find it very hard to bet against a Kyle Smith-led team this early in the postseason. And after battling through nagging injuries and a few early-season discipline issues, the Crusaders are finally at full strength as they open defense of their AA crown. Advantage, Catholic. Give me the Crusaders.
