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High school football Week 1 preview: Are South Western, Gettysburg set for another shootout?


What happened in the season opener between Gettysburg and South Western last year?

Sixty-two combined first-half points, five touchdowns of more than 30 yards, a dramatic finish, and the Warriors' first win as a member of the YAIAA.

Jake Myers hit Kobe Wansel with a 45-yard bomb to give Gettysburg a 44-41 lead, then the defense forced a South Western turnover on downs at midfield with less than a minute remaining.

Gettyburg's win also snapped a six-game losing streak in this series, but a winning streak could be a tall task. The Mustangs return nearly everyone from a 5-5 team that got hot at the end of the season, while the Warriors are replacing 19 seniors and starters at every skill position.

Still, if this season's matchup — set for 7 p.m. Friday at Gettysburg — can match last season's or at least come close, that would be a great way to start the year.

Predict this week's winners for a shot at prizes in the GameTimePA Gridiron Challenge

Friday's games

Central York at West York

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Last year: West York, 41-20

The skinny: These cross-division rivals have alternated wins and losses the last five seasons.

Panthers must: Shore up the defense. Central let the Bulldogs' offense run for 323 yards and pass for another 134 last season. The Panthers can't afford a repeat of that performance if they hope to win the latest chapter of this rivalry.

Bulldogs must: Make a good first impression. There are many new faces on the Bulldogs' sideline, including head coach Jeremy Jones and quarterback Tyler Folk. An early win against a rival would go a long way in reassuring the fan base the Bulldogs won't take a step back.

Annville-Cleona at Biglerville

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Last year: Annville-Cleona, 10-0

The skinny: The Canners will seek revenge after managing just 128 yards of total offense against the Little Dutchmen last season. Can Biglerville flip the script at home?

Canners must: Get the offense going. Although the Canners increased their win total by four games last season, the offense was still mired in the bottom third of the league, and being shut out by this same opponent didn't help. A big offensive performance would be a solid confidence boost.

Little Dutchmen must: Bring the heat on defense. Annville-Cleona held the Canners to 128 total yards last season. A repeat performance in Biglerville would make the Dutchmen tough to beat.

Columbia at Eastern York

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Last year: Eastern York, 35-14

The skinny: Last year, the Golden Knights snapped a four-game losing streak against their cross-river rivals. Can they make it two in a row?

Golden Knights must: Keep building momentum. The 2014 season proved to be the best one in recent memory for the Golden Knights, who went 7-4 and held their final four opponents to 21 combined points before falling in the postseason. Second-year coach Dave Kemmick will look to sustain that progress.

Crimson Tide must: Lock down the defense. Columbia gave up 40.3 points per game last season, which would be tough for any offense to overcome.

Cumberland Valley at Spring Grove

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Last year: Cumberland Valley, 21-17

The skinny: The Rockets came close to shocking the district's seventh-best Class AAAA team on the road last season. Can they pull off the upset at home?

Rockets must: Find a tailback. Spring Grove will need a replacement for Shay Feulmer, who exploded onto the scene in this matchup last season on his way to nearly 1,000 yards. Ian Slaven emerged as a potential candidate during the preseason.

Eagles must: Not look past the Rockets. The perennial Mid-Penn powerhouse came one play away from being upset by Spring Grove in 2014. It's safe to assume they'll come more prepared this season.

Dallastown at Lancaster Catholic

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Last year: Dallastown, 35-14

The skinny: Dallastown aims for its third straight win against its Lancaster-Lebanon League foe.

Wildcats must: Establish the run game. Behind a slightly smaller line than the Wildcats are accustomed to, a new tailback will have to step up and replace Addison Quinones, who averaged 8.3 yards per carry in 2014 and also was named GameTimePA's Defensive Player of the Year.

Crusaders must: Set the tone. Losing three of their first four last season sent Lancaster Catholic in the wrong direction. They'll try to right the ship with a better start this time around.

Shippensburg at Dover

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Last year: Dover, 34-13

The skinny: The Eagles, who are early favorites to win the division, open the season at home.

Eagles must: Value the football. A turnover ratio of minus-11 crippled the Eagles last season. First-year head coach Wayne Snelbaker will emphasize ball security, while Dover transitions from a Wing-T offense to a spread.

Greyhounds must: Find Durran Ledbetter ... and tackle him too. Dover's 5-foot-8, 180-pound senior running back is shifty, and if Shippensburg lets him pick up some steam, it'll be hard to stop him.

Hanover at James Buchanan

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Last year: James Buchanan, 33-19

The skinny: Hanover makes a 90-minute trip into Franklin County for its season opener.

Nighthawks must: Change the culture. That's a lot to put on one game, but Hanover — which has a combined four wins in the last four seasons — has the talent to turn things around. Coaches are aware that confidence is key, and a few early wins could go a long way in building a winning mentality.

Rockets must: Stop Jordan Laughman. The senior running back, who is healthy after being sidelined late last year with an injury, torched the Rockets for 146 yards and three touchdowns last season.