Pregame notes for Dallastown-West York

Even before the season, this was a game a lot of us circled. Dallastown and West York both figured to be among the area's top football teams coming into this season. A Week 4 meeting at West York with District 3 playoff positioning at stake? It seemed too good to pass up.

Here we are, one night before this cross-over clash, and the game doesn't appear to have lost any of its luster. Dallastown (3-0) looked convincing last week against Penn Manor. West York (2-1) came from behind to topple Spring Grove in overtime. A win for either team here should pay huge dividends come district playoff time.

Here are a few rapid-fire note to chew on as you count down to tonight's game.

Watch out for Kline: Dallastown senior Ben Kline (pictured above) is mostly known for his play on the defensive side of the ball. And with good reason: The Pittsburgh-bound linebacker leads the Wildcats with 40 tackles, 17 of which came last week against Penn Manor.

But Kline has also developed into a versatile weapon on offense. He's a much-needed big-play threat on a unit more adept at steadily working the ball down the field.

Kline leads Dallastown with 187 receiving yards, and is second with 113 rushing yards. He's averaging 21.4 yards per touch on offense.

Kline moves all over the field. On one occasion against the Comets, Kline even lined up in the shotgun behind center and took a direct snap.

"It starts with Ben," West York coach Ron Miller said. "We got to try to do the best we can to limit his big plays, because he's had a big play in every one of their games at a crucial time."

Speaking of wide receivers. Perhaps the biggest benefit of Zach Trone returning at running back for West York was the fact that it allowed junior Jerrin Toomey shift from tailback to his natural position of receiver.

Last week at wideout, Toomey had six catches for 113 yards and a touchdown. By pairing Toomey with senior Brett Campbell, West York now has two more-than-capable receiving options for junior quarterback Kaden Hepler to throw to.

"It gives us two experienced guys out there who have made plays in critical situations," Miller said. "It gives us the ability to spread the field."

Trone on track: Miller didn't feel any need to ease Trone back into the mix tailback. The 5-foot-7 senior, who missed the first two games of the season because of academics, carried 24 times for 83 yards against the Rockets. He ran for two scores, including the game-winner in overtime.

Miller thinks Trone can be even better this week.

"I thought he played well, but he'll tell you he could have played a lot better," Miller said. "They say the biggest improvement for a player usually occurs between game one and game two."

Playing through the pain: For at least a few moments last week, Dallastown coach Kevin Myers thought he had lost defensive end Bobby Esiaba for the season.

Myers was told by trainers last week that Esiaba, a team captain, had broken his left pinky, and would require season-ending surgery (Esiaba also dislocated the pinky earlier this year).

But rather than go under the knife, Esiaba decided to play out his senior season with the injury. He wore a massive, club-like cast on his left hand during Dallastown's game with Penn Manor last week.

So far this season, Esiaba leads the team with four sacks and is second with 30 tackles.

Rivalry brewing: Both coaches said Thursday they feel West York-Dallastown has matured into a steady rivalry during the last few years. With the exception of West York's 52-7 drubbing of the Wildcats last year, most of the meetings between the two teams have been close.

"Quite honestly, I think it's developing into one of our biggest rivalries," Miller said. "They've all been close, except for last year."

"Obviously Red Lion is our biggest rivalry," Myers added. "But this is getting to be up there."

Arrive early: Miller said his team's home thriller last week against Spring Grove drew the third-largest gate in school history.

And with another big-time opponent coming in tonight, an even bigger crowd is a possibility.