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Bold predictions: Week 3


Week Three is drawing near. We’re slowly beginning to separate the contenders from the pretenders and this week is filled with interesting matchups. With one week to go before section play opens, this could be the last chance that some teams have to make a statement across south central PA.

Last Week: 13-6

Overall: 27-11

 

THE GAME: Garden Spot (2-0) at Conestoga Valley (0-2)

THE WINNER: Garden Spot

THE REASON: The undefeated Spartans have outscored their opponents 75-10 so far while the Buckskins have stumbled out of the gates; being outscored by an average of 33 points in their first two games. With a lack of scoring and some holes on defense, it could be along night in Conestoga Valley.

 

THE GAME: Carlisle (0-2) at Manheim Township (1-1)

THE WINNER: Manheim Township

THE REASON: The Blue Streaks bounced back last week with a solid 21-6 victory over Red Lion in which they rushed for 231 yards. Look for them to keep that momentum going against the Thundering Herd who allowed 41 points last week against Red Land.

 

THE GAME: Cedar Crest (1-1) at Hershey (2-0)

THE WINNER: Hershey

THE REASON: The Falcons are coming off a rough three-point loss to Lower Dauphin last week and could be overmatched when they visit the Trojans on Friday. The Falcons will have to find a way to contain Hershey senior Jailen Harmon who had 304 all-purpose yards last week against Elizabethtown.

 

THE GAME: Cocalico (2-0) at Governor Mifflin (1-1)

THE WINNER: Cocalico

THE REASON: Although Governor Mifflin is coming off a 28-0 shutout win against Lancaster Catholic, they are running into a buzzsaw this Friday in Cocalico. The Eagles triple-option offense is firing on all cylinders; scoring 93 points in two weeks while the Cocalico defense has only allowed 20 points so far. 14 of those 20 points have come in the fourth quarter when the game was out of reach.

 

THE GAME: Dallastown (2-0) at Penn Manor (2-0)

THE WINNER: Penn Manor

THE REASON: This should be a phenomenal game. Dallastown has only allowed six points so far in 2013 while Penn Manor has allowed just 14. The Comets are back home this week and despite winning, 28-14 over Lampeter-Strasburg last Friday, Penn manor coaches and players were not overly happy with their performance. Look for the Comets to come out hot on Friday night.

THE GAME: Exeter (2-0) at J.P. McCaskey (0-2)

THE WINNER: Exeter

THE REASON: The Red Tornado has had some problems finding the endzone in the first two weeks; scoring just 22 total points so far. Those troubles could continue this week against the Eagles who have allowed just 21 points in two weeks.

THE GAME: Hempfield (1-1) at Central York (1-1)

THE WINNER: Central York

THE REASON: This was a flip of a coin for me but I’ll favor the home team. The Black Knights are coming off a brutal 52-19 loss to Manheim Central but should give Central York all they can handle up front. Nothing would shock me in this game but home field advantage will play a part Friday night.

 

THE GAME: Lampeter-Strasburg (0-2) at Red Lion (0-2)

THE WINNER: Lampeter-Strasburg

THE REASON: The Pioneers have faced two tough opponents so far in Hempfield and Penn Manor but have shown some offensive spark under quarterback Collin Shank. Expect L-S to light up the scoreboard against Red Lion who is giving up an average of 32.5 points per game so far.

THE GAME: Lebanon (1-1) at Elco (0-2)

THE WINNER: Lebanon

THE REASON: The Cedars are flying high after a thrilling 40-39 victory over Northern Lebanon last week and could keep that momentum going against Elco this Friday. The Raiders have allowed 87 points so far this season and only generated six points last week against Steel-High.

THE GAME: Manheim Central (2-0) at Daniel Boone (1-1)

THE WINNER: Manheim Central

THE REASON: The Barons have looked unstoppable in their two victories this season and have way too much offensive firepower for the Blazers to handle.

THE GAME: Northern Lebanon (0-2) at Hamburg (2-0)

THE WINNER: Hamburg

THE REASON: A lot of news has been circling around the Hawks and most of it isn’t about their 2-0 start. Look for them to re-focus this week and take advantage of the Vikings emotional letdown last week against Lebanon.

 

THE GAME: Palmyra (0-2) at Donegal (1-1)

THE WINNER: Donegal

THE REASON: The Cougars have their work cut out for them this week against the Indians. Palymyra has scored just once this season so far while the Indians bounced back from their week one loss to E-Town by defeating Fleetwood, 27-24.

THE GAME: Pequea Valley (2-0) at Octorara (0-2)

THE WINNER: Pequea Valley

THE REASON: I’m taking Pequea Valley in the battle of the Braves this week. 2013 couldn’t have started any better for PV but it was their loss against Octorara last year that started their rough patch of losing seven of their last eight games. A win for PV would make their “drive for five” very attainable.

 

THE GAME: Reading (1-1) at Wilson (2-0)

THE WINNER: Wilson

THE REASON: It will take something powerful for me to pick against Wilson until they lose and this week simply isn’t that week. The Bulldogs appear to be more balanced on offense than last year because of the play of quarterback Matt Timochenko. This should be a scary concept for Reading.

THE GAME: Schuylkill Valley (2-0) at Annville-Cleona (0-2)

THE WINNER: Annville-Cleona

THE REASON: Here’s my upset pick of the week. The Dutchmen had a drama-filled week two against Hamburg and are looking to get back in the news for winning. This is Schuylkill Valley’s first road game of the season and they have yet to face a hostile environment.

THE GAME: Columbia (2-0) at Trinity (0-2)

THE WINNER: Trinity

THE REASON: There’s no denying that the Crimson Tide have started the season off great under new coach Michael Burke III. However, Columbia hasn’t faced an offense as solid as Trinity’s yet and will have to keep pace in order stay in the game.

THE GAME: Warwick (1-1) at Ephrata (0-1)

THE WINNER: Warwick

THE REASON: The Warriors kick started their offense last week with a 35-point performance against Conestoga Valley. Meanwhile, the Mountaineers have only managed two touchdowns so far this year which have come when they were essentially out of the game.

THE GAME: Oxford Area (2-0) at Solanco (0-2)

THE WINNER: Oxford Area

THE REASON: The Mules are having some serious offensive trouble; scoring just six points in two games. The won’t see any relief this week when they face an Oxford defense that has only allowed 17 points thus far.

THE GAME: Lancaster Catholic (0-2) at Erie McDowell (1-1)

THE WINNER: Erie McDowell

THE REASON: It’s hard to imagine Lancaster Catholic starting the season 0-3 but it’s a real possibility when they travel to Altoona Mansion Park on Saturday afternoon. McDowell handled Lancaster Catholic, 49-20 last season and that was with a team that made it to the District semifinals.

THE GAME: Elizabethtown (1-1) at Lower Dauphin (2-0)

THE WINNER: Lower Dauphin

THE REASON: Both teams are an enigma at this point. Elizabethtown upset Donegal in week one but fell 35-21 to Hershey last week. The Falcons got rolled, 38-0 in week one at Middletown but bounced back to defeat Cedar Crest, 31-28. I’ll give the edge to the home team and winner of last year’s matchup.