Football power rankings: Week one in the Hanover-Adams area
Week 1 wasn’t exactly a great showing for Hanover-Adams area teams. The group as a whole went 3-7. However, several teams including Spring Grove, Fairfield, South Western and Delone Catholic lost by seven points or less and Bermudian Springs, Gettysburg and Littlestown all impressed. In the first chapter of our weekly Power Rankings series, Mike Rubin and Brandon Stoneburg break down all ten teams and how they stack up after week one.
The best
1. Bermudian Springs--To quote Dennis Green, “They are what we thought they were.” We knew Bermudian was going to run and they did against New Oxford, going for 395 rushing yards. The Colton Dull-Briton Shelton duo is going to be hard to stop for any team on Bermudian’s schedule. With a dominating win at New Oxford, the Eagles proved they are the class of Division III.
2. Gettysburg--The Warriors returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown Friday as if to say, “Hello, YAIAA, we’re here to stay.” In a back-and-forth game that featured 85 total points, several lead changes and multiple touchdowns by four different players, Kobe Wansel played hero by hauling in a 45-yard game-winning touchdown. The Warriors’ run game and offensive line both looked dominant at times, but the defense let South Western stay in the game until the last 50 seconds.
3. Littlestown--The Bolts were able to hold off Boiling Springs, 18-13. With Littlestown’s success in recent years, we’ve almost come to expect them to cruise to wins. Could week one’s performance show a dent in their armor or was it a minor hiccup during a reloading season? A week two matchup at home against a tough Greencastle-Antrim team from Franklin County will be a good test to gauge where the Bolts are as a team.
The Rest
4. Spring Grove--The Rockets nearly knocked off powerhouse Cumberland Valley before falling late, 21-17. Head Coach Russ Stoner is not one for moral victories, but holding CV to 138 yards on the road could provide a confidence boost for the team. Can they translate that into a win in week two against Mechanicsburg?
5. South Western--What a week one game. 85 total points, several lead changes and a few last-minute dramatics. But the Mustangs came away on the wrong end of a heartbreaking 44-41 loss to Gettysburg. Head Coach Damian Poalucci said he was proud of his team for fighting until the end. Quarterback Brock Geiman and the running back combo of Robby Harbison and Andrew Hartlaub looked solid, but the defense will have to get better as a matchup with Cedar Cliff looms in week two.
6. New Oxford – The schedule is not friendly to the Colonials. Hosting Division-III powerhouse Bermudian Springs in week one and visiting Gettysburg as they open a new stadium in week two? That would be tough for any team. The defense gave up almost twice as many yards as the offense gained and things won’t get any easier against Gettysburg’s stable of running backs.
7. Delone Catholic--With injuries to quarterback Jake Wiles and running back Tavian Dorsey, things could have gone south quickly for the Squires. But they led Trinity until the fourth quarter when the Shamrocks finished off a 37-30 win. Wiles’ replacement, Brian Shermeyer proved he is more than adequate to fill the position, throwing for 250 yards. Turnovers hurt the Squires and the defense will have to bounce back after giving up 431 yards. Delone hosts Columbia in week two.
8. Fairfield--The Green Knights lost 24-21 at Newport in week one and travel to James Buchanan this week. Alex Irvin scored on each of his three receptions and totaled 92 yards. Irvin and quarterback Mason Flickinger could be a dangerous duo in the passing game if they stay consistent.
9. Hanover--For most of the first half against James Buchanan, the Nighthawks looked like the better team. Then the Rockets scored 20 unanswered points to pull away, 33-19. However, week two might be the first time in nearly a year that the Nighthawks are favored as they host a Kennard-Dale team that is coming off a 53-7 loss.
10. Biglerville--The only team in the area to be shutout Friday night was the Canners, losing 10-0 to Annville-Cleona. Biglerville managed just 128 total yards on offense and until they prove they can score, they’re stuck in the basement of our weekly power rankings.