York-Adams Week 5 football preview: Top offenses Red Lion, Northeastern set for classic clash
Forget about the heavy rain in Friday's forecast, because there could be an instant classic brewing in Manchester.
Red Lion makes the trip up Route 24 to take on the undefeated Bobcats in a battle of the YAIAA's top two offenses. Through four games, the Lions (3-1, 1-0 YAIAA Division I) and Bobcats (4-0, 1-0) have each rushed for more than 1,000 yards. No other YAIAA team has more than 700 in that span. Both teams come in averaging more than 36 points per game.
Last season, neither offense did much to impress, when Red Lion held off Northeastern, 21-14, at Horn Field.
So what's the deal? Well Northeastern added versatile quarterback Shannon Valenti, who has totaled 10 touchdowns while rushing for 197 yards and adding 437 through the air. And the Bobcats have two solid tailbacks — Anu Johnson and Chris Whack — who are each approaching 300 yards rushing.
The Lions boast their own dynamic duo of running backs — Alex Keough and Dylan Gurreri — who are first and second in the league in rushing yards, and both average more than 7 yards per carry.
Don't forget about the defenses. Both units rank in the league's top six in yards allowed and among the top three in turnover ratio.
It should be an even battle among Division I front-runners.
Friday's games
York Catholic (1-3, 1-0 YAIAA Division III) at Hanover (4-0, 1-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: York Catholic, 35-19
The skinny: The Nighthawks return home looking to extend their unexpected undefeated season.
Fighting Irish must: Finish strong. The Fighting Irish led 23-6 at halftime last week but still needed a late touchdown to beat Delone Catholic.
Nighthawks must: Involve more players. Coach Bill Reichart said a different Hanover player has stepped up in each game this season, but the team needs more players to step up in each game to keep winning.
Central York (1-3, 0-1 YAIAA Division I) at South Western (3-1, 1-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Central York, 20-13 (OT)
The skinny: The Panthers look to bounce back after a blowout loss to Northeastern, while the Mustangs still have their sights set on a Division I title.
Panthers must: Establish the passing game. Two quarterbacks combined for 35 passing yards in last week's loss to Northeastern. Central will need the passing game to open things up against a South Western defense that has been stout the last two weeks.
Mustangs must: Be careful with the ball. Brock Geiman has two multi-interception games this season, and those picks rob the Mustangs of valuable scoring chances in close games.
New Oxford (1-3, 0-1 YAIAA Division I) at Spring Grove (1-3, 0-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: Spring Grove, 35-0
The skinny: Both teams are looking to end a losing streak and get back on track in Division I play.
Colonials must: Avoid special teams errors. The Colonials botched two punt attempts last week against South Western, and the Mustangs turned those errors into points.
Rockets must: Establish the run game. Nick Erickson, previously the league leader in rushing yards, was limited to 37 yards against Dallastown last week.
Littlestown (1-3, 1-0 YAIAA Division III) at Delone Catholic (1-3, 0-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: Delone Catholic, 30-19
The skinny: Despite some early season struggles, Littlestown looks to stay undefeated in Division III play.
Thunderbolts must: Keep giving the ball to Wes Storey. Last week, the junior broke out with 168 yards and a touchdown in the Thunderbolts' first win of the year, and he ranks seventh in the YAIAA in total rushing yards.
Squires must: Start fast. In all three of their losses, the Squires have fallen behind at halftime. Last week, they trailed 23-6 to York Catholic before mounting a comeback that ultimately fell short.
Bermudian Springs (0-4, 0-1 YAIAA Division III) at Fairfield (1-3, 0-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: Bermudian Springs, 48-0
The skinny: The defending Division III champions are still looking for their first win of the season.
Eagles must: Defend the pass better. The Eagles are among the worst in the YAIAA in pass defense, and those struggles allowed Hanover to capitalize with big pass plays last week.
Knights must: Move the chains. Fairfield ranks sixth-worst in the league in total yards of offense.
Dallastown (4-0, 1-0 YAIAA Division I) at William Penn (0-4, 0-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: Dallastown, 28-7
The skinny: Two teams headed in opposite directions face off at Small Field.
Wildcats must: Find the run game. While Dallastown has started the season 4-0, its running attack has been lackluster — 479 yards in four games. Luckily for Dallastown, the Bearcats have given up the third most yards on the ground in the league.
Bearcats must: Move the ball. In four games, William Penn has totaled just 351 yards of offense.
Eastern York (2-2, 0-1 YAIAA Division II) at Dover (2-2, 1-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: Dover, 28-12
The skinny: Dover aims to stay on top of the division against its old rival, Eastern York.
Golden Knights must: Hold on to the ball. Dover's ball-hawking defense has forced a league-high 12 turnovers.
Eagles must: Get Durran Ledbetter going. The playmaking tailback was limited to 49 yards against Gettysburg and has averaged 4.6 yards per carry this season.
Ephrata (0-4, 0-1 L-L Section 3) at York Suburban (2-2, 1-0 YAIAA Division II)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: York Suburban, 49-0
The skinny: Riding a two-game win streak, the Trojans host a winless L-L opponent.
Mountaineers must: Tighten up the defense. Ephrata has given up at least 50 points to three opponents.
Trojans must: Maintain the balanced offense. Wideouts Collin Mailman and Brad Smith are both top five in receptions this season, and last week the Trojans found their running game, totaling 281 yards on the ground.
Gettysburg (1-3, 0-1 YAIAA Division II) at Susquehannock (1-3, 0-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: Gettysburg, 36-6
The skinny: It's a battle of the Warriors and two struggling Division II teams.
Gettysburg Warriors must: Double team Nick Tannura. The Susquehannock receiver leads the YAIAA with 24 catches for 404 yards and four touchdowns.
Susquehannock Warriors must: Find a second target. Outside of Tannura, the rest of the squad has a combined 145 receiving yards.
Kennard-Dale (1-3, 0-1 YAIAA Division II) at West York (1-3, 1-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: West York, 55-0
The skinny: The Bulldogs look to build on last week's impressive 42-21 victory, while the Rams attempt to eclipse last year's win total.
Rams must: Contain Ryan Narber. Making his first start, Narber ran for 122 yards and three touchdowns against a stout Eastern York defense.
Bulldogs must: Get the ball in the hands of Terry Cains. The senior receiver has averaged 20.1 yards per catch this season (15 receptions, 301 yards).
Video: GameTimePA TV Week 5 football preview show
Northern York (3-1, 1-0 Mid Penn Colonial) at Waynesboro (3-1, 0-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: Waynesboro, 40-25
The skinny: The Polar Bears go for a third straight win when they travel to Waynesboro.
Polar Bears must: Bring the defense. Northern hasn't given up more than 19 points in any game this season. The Polar Bears will need to be on their A game against a potent Waynesboro offense.
Indians must: Forget about last week. The Indians were rolling until they ran into powerhouse Cedar Cliff.
Red Land (2-2, 0-1 Mid Penn Keystone) at Susquehanna Township (1-3, 0-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: Red Land, 46-42
The skinny: Back at home for the first time in three weeks, the Indians look to avenge last year's close loss and end a three-game losing streak.
Patriots must: Find consistency. Red Land has been a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde team this season, alternating wins and losses while showing sporadic bursts of potential.
Indians must: Air it out. Why not? Ben Moser threw for 399 yards and four scores in last week's 49-42 loss to Lower Dauphin. Chris Ciotti benefitted, hauling in 14 passes for 281 yards and four touchdowns.
Saturday's game
Biglerville (2-2, 1-0 YAIAA Division III) at York County Tech (1-3, 0-1)
Kickoff: 2 p.m.
Last year: Biglerville, 17-8
The skinny: The Canners, who have won four of the last five against York County Tech, can go 2-0 in the division with a win.
Canners must: Build momentum. With an offense and defense both in the league's top five, the Canners have quietly won two games in a row, putting them on pace to battle Hanover as a division contender.
Spartans must: Utilize Kahliek Savery. The speedy back has run for at least 70 yards in two straight games and has averaged 5.4 yards per carry.