L-L Football bold predictions: Week 6
It’s hard to believe that the season is at its halfway point already. With five games down, teams have a pretty good grasp on what their potential is. But now is the time those teams can start making a run to better help their power rankings. After all, the playoffs aren’t just a distant dream anymore.
Last week’s record: 9-3
Overall record: 58-19
THE GAME: Lampeter-Strasburg (4-1) at Elizabethtown (0-5)
THE WINNER: Lampeter-Strasburg
THE REASON: The Pioneers are arguably the hottest team in the L-L right now after trouncing Cocalico, 42-0 last week. If the L-S defense continues to play like they did last week, they are going to be a very hard team to beat. All they have to do this week is not completely overlook E-Town and they should be able to come out victorious.
THE GAME: Elco (2-3) at Donegal (3-2)
THE WINNER: Donegal
THE REASON: The Indians responded to their heartbreaking loss to Annville-Cleona with a convincing 40-15 win over Columbia last week while Elco suffered their own loss to the Dutchmen by a score of 42-14. A heavy dose of quarterback Connor Ness and tailbacks Connor Maxwell and Bryce Sadler in Donegal’s Wing-T offense should prove to be too much for the Raiders this week.
THE GAME: Penn Manor (4-1) at McCaskey
THE WINNER: Penn Manor
THE REASON: The Red Tornado will try to play the role of the giant killer again this week after upending Hempfield, 27-7 last Friday. While McCaskey has more than its share of talent, Penn Manor has allowed just 11 points per game since losing to Lampeter-Strasburg in week two. I like the Comets to pull this one out.
THE GAME: Pequea Valley (2-3) at Columbia (1-4)
THE WINNER: Pequea Valley
THE REASON: I have picked the Braves to win in every one of their five games so far and obviously, it hasn’t worked in my favor. However, I’m giving Pequea Valley one more chance. With all their weapons on offense, I can see the Braves overcoming any defensive deficiencies this week against the Crimson Tide.
THE GAME: Ephrata (0-5) at Annville-Cleona (4-1)
THE WINNER: Annville-Cleona
THE REASON: The points for/against ratio is all you have to look at in this one. The Dutchmen have scored 128 points so far this season while only allowing 87. On the flipside, Ephrata has been outscored 272-6 through five games.
THE GAME: Cocalico (3-2) at Garden Spot (5-0)
THE WINNER: Garden Spot
THE REASON: Cocalico is coming off a humiliating 42-0 loss at home to L-S and Eagles coach Dave Gingrich said his team’s reaction this week will go a long way in defining their character. Meanwhile Garden Spot squeaked out a seven-point victory over E-Town to stay perfect last week. A huge element in this game will be whether Cocalico can efficiently run their veer offense without turning the ball over. However, if they revert back to their antics from last week, Garden Spot quarterback Mitch Martin will take advantage of the field position with his arm and legs.
THE GAME: Lancaster Catholic (2-3) at Manheim Central (4-2)
THE WINNER: Manheim Central
THE REASON: The Crusaders temporarily preserved their season last week with a 19-15 win over Solanco. While their defense didn’t give up as many points as previous weeks, Catholic still yielded 256 yards on the ground even with one of Solanco’s main tailbacks out of the game. Meanwhile, Manheim Central has allowed just three points since losing to Hempfield in week two and have scored 131 points in the past three weeks. This could be a transcendent win for Lancaster Catholic but that’s much easier said than done against Manheim Central.
THE GAME: Hempfield (3-2) at Wilson (5-0)
THE WINNER: Wilson
THE REASON: Hemfield is coming off a heartbreaking loss to McCaskey and now has the tall task of traveling to Berks County to take on Wilson, who hasn’t lost a Section One game since the Bush administration. Since they gave up 34 points to Governor Mifflin in week one, Wilson has given up just 9.5 points per game in the month of September. It’s apparent that Hempfield will have to play their best game of the season if they want to be competitive in this game.
THE GAME: Manheim Township (3-2) at Cedar Crest (1-4)
THE WINNER: Manheim Township
THE REASON: The Streaks have hit their strike the past two weeks; scoring 77 points while yielding just 14. Now they head to Lebanon County to take on Cedar Crest who has lost four straight and averaged just 7.5 points per game in the month of September. I like everything about Township in the matchup.
THE GAME: Conestoga Valley (1-4) at Warwick (2-3)
THE WINNER: Warwick
THE REASON: I like the Warriors to get back to .500 this week against Conestoga Valley who have lost four straight games since defeating Ephrata in week one. Warwick’s new and improved (and more balanced) offense should be able to control the clock and keep the ball out of CV quarterback Grant Stoltzfus’ hands.
THE GAME: Lebanon (2-3) at Solanco (2-3)
THE WINNER: Solanco
THE REASON: The Mules were a play or two away from upsetting Lancaster Catholic on their home turf last week and proved to a lot of people that they aren’t a pushover. A lot is depending on the health of the Mules backfield but I still expect Solanco to rack up the rushing yards and pull out a close win over the Cedars.
Lebanon County Pick:
Northern Lebanon at Williams Valley
For more picks, check out this week’s “Pigskin Picks”.