YAIAA Week 4 football preview: Central, Northeastern square off as familiar foes
Two division rivals separated by just five miles square off Friday night when Central York (1-2) hosts Northeastern (3-0).
For the second-straight season, the Bobcats enter Week 4 with a 3-0 record. Last season, the Panthers, who were 0-3 at the time, easily ended Northeastern's winning streak, 44-17. This time around, Central comes in with a 1-2 record, having beaten West York before falling to perennial AAAA powerhouses Cumberland Valley and Hempfield. On the other side of the Codorus Creek, the Bobcats boast a defense and offense both ranked among the league's top five in total yards. The key matchup could be Central's run defense, which ranks near the bottom of the league, against Northeastern's tailback tandem — Anu Johnson and Chris Whack. The Panthers defense will have to be much better than it has been in the first three weeks if it hopes to slow down Northeastern.
An added storyline this season is somewhat of a rarity at the high school level: Former Central quarterback Shannon Valenti, who scored a third quarter touchdown against the Bobcats last season, has switched sides and now leads the Northeastern offense. The junior has added versatility to head coach Jon Scepanski's offense, rushing for 144 yards and throwing for 369 yards in three games.
With the bordering schools now in the same football division and with some familiar faces on opposite sidelines, expect a rowdy atmosphere Friday night at Central.
South Western (2-1) at New Oxford (1-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: South Western, 34-27
The skinny: The Mustangs, a Division I favorite, get their first shot at a division opponent.
Mustangs must: Limit mistakes. The Mustangs struggled with turnovers in their only loss of the season, but edged Carlisle last week when they didn't turn the ball over.
Colonials must: Create turnovers. The Colonials haven't been able to get a takeaway and start in improved field position in either of their back-to-back losses.
Hanover (3-0) at Bermudian Springs (0-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: Bermudian Springs, 50-14
The skinny: Hanover looks to prove its a contender in Division III when it faces the defending division champion.
Nighthawks must: Stay the course. The Nighthawks lead the YAIAA in both total offense and total defense after the first three weeks of the season.
Eagles must: Complete passes. The Eagles, who completed just one pass in the first two weeks of the season, were more competitive last week in a game in which they completed four passes.