Bold predictions: Week 2
Week two of the L-L football season is fast approaching. Although it’s still very early in the season, week two can act as a momentum shift for teams that started stumbled out of the gates or a springboard for teams that came out hot. Here are this week’s bold predictions.
Results last week: 14-5
THE GAME: Penn Manor (1-0) at Lampeter-Strasburg (0-1) (L-L Beat Game of the Week)
THE WINNER: Penn Manor
THE REASON: The Comets shook off the questions about how they’d deal with some early season injuries and defeated Solanco last week, 42-0. Meanwhile, the Pioneers had issues protecting quarterback Collin Shank in their week one loss to Hempfield and will have to generate more offense to keep stride with the Comets this Friday.
THE GAME: Hempfield (1-0) at Manheim Central (1-0)
THE WINNER: Hempfield
THE REASON: I went back and forth on this one and wouldn’t be surprised with any result. However, I’ll shade towards the Black Knights because of their sheer size and ability to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. There’s no doubt the Barons are still upset about falling to Hempfield last year but the 2013 Black Knights appear more poised and explosive than their 2012 squad.
THE GAME: Conestoga Valley (0-1) at Warwick (0-1)
THE WINNER: Warwick
THE REASON: Both teams suffered bad losses last week with the Buckskins falling to Cedar Cliff, 53-7 and the Warrior losing to Manheim Central, 33-7. Despite their rough start, Warwick does have some offensive tools primed to break out at some point.
THE GAME: Cedar Crest (1-0) at Lower Dauphin (1-0)
THE WINNER: Lower Dauphin
THE REASON: Cedar Crest is flying high after defeating Lebanon, 40-24 in the 42nd Cedar Bowl but I’m giving the edge to Lower Dauphin in this Falcons-Falcons matchup. Lower Dauphin handled Middletown by a score of 38-0 last week and has enough offensive talent to successfully defend their home field.
THE GAME: Dover (1-0) at Solanco (0-1)
THE WINNER: Dover
THE REASON: While the Mules got blanked by Penn Manor, the Eagles were able to blank Hanover, 49-0. Dover uses multiple runners and gives numerous looks to defense. This should be enough to overpower Solanco.
THE GAME: Elco (0-1) at Steel-High (1-0)
THE WINNER: Steel-High
THE REASON: The Raiders lost a close 55-54 contest to Hamburg last week while the Steamrollers stayed true to their name and rolled Halifax, 63-0. In their game last season, Steel-High defeated Elco, 33-13.
THE GAME: Ephrata (0-1) at Garden Spot (1-0)
THE WINNER: Garden Spot
THE REASON: Spartans quarterback Mitch Martin tore apart Twin Valley’s defense last week by going 7-for-8 for 261 yards and five touchdowns en route to a 48-3 victory. The Mountaineers weren’t as fortunate in their 34-7 loss to Exeter. Garden Spot scored 41 of their 48 points in the first half last week and should continue firing on all cylinders this week.
THE GAME: Fleetwood (0-1) at Donegal (0-1)
THE WINNER: Donegal
THE REASON: The Indians were plagued by turnovers last week against Elizabethtown which kept them from getting any offensive rhythm. Look for them to clean up the mistakes and make it past Fleetwood at home this week.
THE GAME: Governor Mifflin (0-1) at Lancaster Catholic (0-1)
THE WINNER: Lancaster Catholic
THE REASON: Everyone seems to be jumping off the Crusaders bandwagon after their 21-6 loss to Dallastown last week. That kind of reaction could light a fire under Bruce Harbach’s squad and awake a sleeping giant. Meanwhile, Governor Mifflin looked sloppy in their 38-7 loss to Wilson in week one and could be in for another long night if some problems aren’t fixed this week.
THE GAME: Hamburg (1-0) at Annville-Cleona (0-1)
THE WINNER: Hamburg
THE REASON: The Hawks survived a shootout with Elco last week and could be primed for another big offensive performance against AC who fell 35-17 to Tri-Valley last week.
THE GAME: Hershey (1-0) at Elizabethtown (1-0)
THE WINNER: Elizabethtown
THE REASON: E-Town sent some moderate shocks waves through the L-L League last week when they upset Donegal, 20-6. Look for the Bears to ride that momentum into this week against Hershey whom they lost to in a close 36-32 contest last year.
THE GAME: Kutztown (0-1) at Pequea Valley (1-0)
THE WINNER: Pequea Valley
THE REASON: The Braves’ “drive for five” kicked off last week with a 42-16 win over York County Tech. Pequea Valley defeated Kutztown last season by a score of 13-3 and is returning essentially the same team. Win no. 2 is on the horizon for the Braves.
THE GAME: Northeastern (0-1) at Columbia (1-0)
THE WINNER: Northeastern
THE REASON: The Crimson Tide squeezed out a 25-21 victory over Eastern York last Friday but may have some trouble this week against Northeastern. The Bobcats shut out Columbia last year, 33-0 and are coming off an aggravating 25-20 loss to York Catholic.
THE GAME: Northern Lebanon (0-1) at Lebanon (0-1)
THE REASON: Both teams are coming off losses but look for the Vikings to take charge early and put the Cedars in “catch up” mode. Northern Lebanon defeated Lebanon, 21-0 in 2012.
THE GAME: Reading (1-0) at Cocalico (1-0)
THE WINNER: Cocalico
THE REASON: The Eagles offense sliced and diced Daniel Boone for 453 total yards last week and it’s safe to assume they’ll do the same to Reading who had a solid 33-15 win over JP McCaskey last week. Cocalico’s combo of quarterback Jhet Janis and running back Spencer Moser will be too much for the Red Knights to handle.
THE GAME: Red Lion (0-1) at Manheim Township (0-1)
THE WINNER: Manheim Township
THE REASON: Township gave up over 200 yards on the ground in their 21-10 loss to Central Dauphin last week but should find better fortunes this weekend at home against Red Lion. The Lions didn’t show much offensive spark in their 44-14 loss to Cumberland Valley last week while giving up 442 rushing yards.
THE GAME: William Penn (0-1) at JP McCaskey (0-1)
THE WINNER: JP McCaskey
THE REASON: The Red Tornado couldn’t keep up with Reading last week but have the potential to put up solid offensive numbers against William Penn who fell, 42-7 to Coatesville in week one.
THE GAME: Palmyra (0-1) at Muhlenberg (1-0)
THE WINNER: Muhlenberg
THE REASON: It’s not a good sign for the Cougars when they haven’t scored a point yet (45-0 loss to Northern York) and Muhlenberg hasn’t allowed a point yet (50-0 win over Bishop McDevitt). The Muhls defeated Palymra, 48-14 in 2012.
THE GAME: Wilson (1-0) at Harrisburg (0-1)
THE WINNER: Wilson
THE REASON: The Bulldogs showed they are still top dog last week after defeating Governor Mifflin, 38-7. Wilson is too dynamic on offense for Harrisburg to keep up.