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Countdown to Kickoff: Division favorites and top returning units


By Brandon Stoneburg and Zach Miller

Last week, we asked you to vote for who you think the division winners and top returning units (quarterbacks, backfield and receiving corps.) are in the Hanover-Adams area. With just a week left to the start of the high school football season, our last installment of the Countdown to Kickoff series reveals the results of those polls and our take on each one. Keep checking back here at the Locker Room Chatter blog for news and notes throughout the season.

Which team will win YAIAA Division I?

The voters went with the trendy pick and selected South Western. The Mustangs definitely have the talent to make a title run in Division I and expectations are sky high. The target is firmly on the Mustangs' backs and head coach Damian Poalucci said he's fine with that.

Spring Grove coming in second might be a stretch and Red Lion should probably be higher on this list.

Which team will win YAIAA Division II?

West York has won at least a share of the division title in seven of the last eight years so voters choosing the Bulldogs is understandable. But, West York is replacing longtime head coach Ron Miller and several key players including quarterback Ross Campbell, who totaled nearly 3,000 yards last season. Gettysburg is coming off a strong inaugural season in the league but lose 19 seniors. Really, this division is up for grabs. You could make an argument for West York, Dover, York Suburban, Eastern York or Gettysburg at the top.

Which team will win YAIAA Division III?

Wow, look how close this one was. Bermudian Springs gets the nod after winning 29 of their last 30 regular season games, but Biglerville is a team on the rise and many expect the Canners to challenge for a title. Delone and York Catholic should be right there in the mix, too. The voters did a good job on their top four here.

Who's the best quarterback in the Hanover-Adams area?

Messersmith is good, but he'll have to prove himself a little more before we crown him the best quarterback. The voters disagree, however. Krout led the league in passing last season, so he could be a little higher on this list. Keep an eye on Shermeyer. The junior has a cannon arm and should surprise some people this season.

What Hanover-Adams area team has the best receiving corp?

It seems that Spring Grove really showed up to vote. They're near the top of the list again as Anthony Beddia and Adam Warehime are a close second to Noah Staub and Drew Hartlaub at South Western. I like the pick here, though. Hartlaub can come out of the backfield and make plays as a receiver, evidenced by his 481 receiving yards in 2014. Hanover's corp may be underrated, that's a talented bunch.

What's the best backfield in the Hanover-Adams area?

South Western nearly pulls off the sweep here with Harbison and Hartlaub taking the best backfield vote. They were a solid thunder-lightning duo last season with Harbison scratching out the tough yards between the tackles and Hartlaub bouncing outside as the home run threat. Biglerville has a solid stable of backs, but Cooper has missed time the last two seasons with injury. Dorsey is a speedster at Delone alongside Sneeringer, who will see more playing time this season as a junior. Again, the voters were accurate here.

Countdown to kickoff schedule

June 12: New Oxford

June 19: Hanover

June 26: Littlestown

July 3: Spring Grove

July 10: Biglerville

July 17: Fairfield

July 24: South Western

July 31: Delone Catholic

Aug. 7: Gettysburg

Aug. 14: Bermudian Springs

Aug. 21: Over/Unders

Aug. 28: Top returning units