Week 6 YAIAA expanded football picks

Last week: 11-2

Overall: 62-20

See our full staff picks here.

FRIDAY'S GAMES

Bermudian Springs (5-0, 4-0 Div. III) at Delone Catholic (5-0, 4-0 Div. III), 7 p.m.

A battle of unbeatens. The Squires have a chance to put a choke hold on the rest of the division. They're remaining schedule looks like this: at York Catholic, at Fairfield, Eastern York, and at Hanover. In other words, as Bermudian coach Jon Defoe said last week, the Eagles are "probably the last ones with a realistic shot at them." Add in homecoming night at Delone, and the atmosphere should be electric. Two great offenses here. Bermudian has the two outstanding running backs. But I think this is a case where Delone's versatility will pay dividends. Not an easy pick here, but I give the Squires a slight edge.

The pick: Delone Catholic 34, Bermudian Springs 27

Spring Grove (1-4, 0-0 Div. I) at Central York (4-1, 0-0 Div. I), 7 p.m.

Russ Stoner makes his return to Central York. He won't arrive under the easiest of circumstances: His Rockets are 1-4, and the Panthers look like legitimate Division I title contenders at 4-1. Spring Grove is coming off its first win of the season and has looked better with almost every game. But the Panthers defense -- even without Stoner -- doesn't give much away.

The pick: Central York 31, Spring Grove 10

York Catholic (2-3, 2-2 Div. III) at Biglerville (2-3, 2-2 Div. III), 7 p.m.

Two interesting teams here. Both have weapons on offense. Biglerville had Littlestown and Delone Catholic on the ropes the last two weeks, so common sense would tell you they're due for a breakthrough. But York Catholic -- with QB James Dougherty, RB Matthew Lehr and WR Pat Montgomery -- can score points in bunches. But the Canners are at home -- on homecoming, no less -- and seem to be improving each week. Take them by a score.

The pick: Biglerville 26, York Catholic 20

Kennard-Dale (1-4, 0-0 Div. II) at Dover (5-0, 0-0 Div. II), 7 p.m.

This has revenge game written all over it. Last year Dover went down to Fawn Grove and suffered an upset. I'd be surprised if something similar happens this time. The Eagles are rolling, having scored the most points (190) in the YAIAA. The line is ripping open holes. Tanner Link is rolling. Normally, I might be worried about a letdown, with West York up next week. Not this time.

The pick: Dover 41, Kennard-Dale 13

Eastern York (2-3, 2-2 Div. III) at Littlestown (3-2, 3-1 Div. III), 7 p.m.

Some momentum building in Wrightsville, after wins against Fairfield and Hanover. Not so sure it lasts another week. Littlestown seems to be finding itself after a slow start; the running game got on track last week, and Dustin Crouse continues to impress at quarterback. Eastern's best bet to is ride RB Alex Cooley and try to control the clock, but even if they do that, I'm not sure they can slow down the Bolts' attack.

The pick: Littlestown 40, Eastern York 17

York Suburban (3-2, 2-2 Div. III) at Fairfield (0-5, 0-4 Div. III), 7 p.m.

A long bus trip awaits the Trojans, but after back-to-back meetings with Delone and Bermudian, Suburban might be glad to see the Green Knights. Fairfield is actually coming off its best showing of the season -- a near-miss at York County Tech -- so there may be something to build on. But Suburban's firepower is too much in this one.

The pick: York Suburban 42, Fairfield 8

Greencastle-Antrim (3-2, 2-0 Mid-Penn Colonial) at Gettysburg (1-4, 1-1 Mid-Penn Colonial), 7 p.m.

Not a great matchup for the Warriors. Greencastle-Antrim is known for its bruising ground game. And Gettysburg just gave up 363 rushing yards last week to Northern York. Not a good combo.

The pick: Greencastle-Antrim 33, Gettysburg 14

New Oxford (0-5, 0-0 Div. II) at Northeastern (2-3, 0-0 Div. II), 7 p.m.

They've been talking playoffs up in Manchester early this season. But if the Bobcats want to become the first team in program history to reach the postseason, they have to win these types of games. New Oxford has struggled, and while the schedule has been rough and the offense seems to be getting better, you have to view Northeastern as a clear favorite. One underrated aspect of the Bobcats' play so far: They've allowed 63 points, third-fewest in the YAIAA.

The pick: Northeastern 27, New Oxford 10

Northern York (2-3, 1-1 Mid-Penn Colonial) at James Buchanan (2-3, 0-2 Mid-Penn Colonial), 7 p.m.

The Polar Bears found something last week in Elijah Locke. The running back churned out 270 yards in a win against Gettysburg. Expect to see a good dose of him again this week. James Buchanan's defense has cooled off during the Rockets' three-straight defeats.

The pick: Northern York 31, James Buchanan 13

Red Land (3-2, 1-1 Mid-Penn Keystone) at Mechanicsburg (2-3, 0-1 Mid-Penn Keystone), 7 p.m.

Tough one to read here. The Patriots offense went missing during a shutout loss last week, but Red Land has by-in-large been solid during the first half of the season. Mechanicsburg has talent on offense, but also seems to go dormant for periods. I'll pick Red Land, but can't say I'm all that certain about it.

The pick: Red Land 33, Mechanicsburg 28

William Penn (1-4, 0-0 Div. I) at Red Lion (3-2, 0-0 Div. I), 7 p.m.

You can't help but feel like there's something more to this Bearcats team. The group that launched a take-notice comeback against J.P. McCaskey has been replaced the last three weeks by a mistake-prone side that can't hold onto the ball. The defensive problems that plagued William Penn last season have resurfaced, and that's bad news against a Red Lion team that can beat you with both the run and the pass. Expect a big game out of Jason Milton in this one.

The pick: Red Lion 38, William Penn 21

Susquehannock (0-5, 0-0 Div. II) at West York (4-1, 0-0 Div. II), 7 p.m.

To say this is a tough matchup for the Warriors would be an understatement. Susquehannock has let up more points than any other YAIAA team so far this season (224). West York, meanwhile, is coming off a lights-out offensive showing against South Western in which they scored 42 points by halftime.

The pick: West York 45, Susquehannock 13

Dallastown (2-3, 0-0 Div. I) at South Western (3-2, 0-0 Div. I), 7 p.m.

Big test for the Mustangs, both psychologically and physically. They must not only put the frustrations of last week's blowout loss to West York behind them, but also solve a Dallastown defense that has been among the league's best. The Wildcats are a dangerous team in this division. The defense will keep them in games, and the offense should continue to get better. Still, I like South Western here.The pick: South Western 24, Dallastown 14

SATURDAY'S GAME

Hanover (0-5, 0-4 Div. III) at York County Tech (1-4, 1-3 Div. III), 10 a.m.

Not sure anybody envisioned Hanover -- with a good amount of players back -- falling this far. The Nighthawks have been unable to piece together any sort of offense. The Spartans got their first win last week against Fairfield (barely) and have a decent offensive combo in QB Shyheim Carter and RB Calvin Savary. Here's guessing those two do just enough.

The pick: York County Tech 20, Hanover 13