Skip to main content

Four regional teams still standing in playoffs


Previewing this weekend's high school football playoff games

And then there were four. After six teams from York and Adams counties were eliminated last week, just four remain — Northern York, York Catholic, Biglerville and Northeastern.

The only team hosting a game out of that group is the Northeastern Bobcats. Fresh off a dominating win over Northern Lebanon, Jon Scepanski's squad welcomes Susquehanna Township to Manchester Friday night at 7 p.m. The Indians (8-3, 5-1 Mid-Penn Keystone) have something on their resume that no other team in the district has - a win over Bishop McDevitt. And after starting 1-3, Susquehanna Township has reeled off seven-straight wins.

Northeastern (9-2, 5-2 YAIAA Division I) boasts the league's best defense, but can it slow down Ben Moser (2,670 passing yards, 32 touchdowns)? The Bobcats will surely look to keep the Indians' high-powered offense on the sideline. Another big performance from Anu Johnson, who ran for 230 yards and two touchdowns in last week's win over Northern Lebanon, would go a long way in doing that.

Friday's games

York Catholic (5-5, 5-2 YAIAA Division III) at Steelton-Highspire (5-5, 4-3 Mid-Penn Capital)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

The skinny: After a week off, the Irish take on Steel High with a trip to Hersheypark Stadium on the line.

Irish must: Give Kinard room to run. The YAIAA's leading rusher Jakkar Kinard got hot at the end of the season, and the Irish play much better when the tailback has a productive day.

Steamrollers must: Keep the momentum. Steel High fans hope the bye week didn't disrupt the team's momentum after closing the regular season on a four-game win streak.

Northern York (8-3, 5-1 Mid-Penn Colonial) at Bishop McDevitt (10-1, 5-1 Mid-Penn Keystone)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

The skinny: The Polar Bears look to upset five-time defending district champ Bishop McDevitt on the road.

Polar Bears must: Play loose. Coming off back-to-back three-win seasons, no one expected the Polar Bears to go this far and not many are expecting them to pull off the upset. It's all gravy at this point.

Crusaders must: Don't look past Northern. The Crusaders are used to cruising through the district tournament, but Northern has played well against some of the top Mid-Penn teams this season.

Saturdays game

Biglerville (8-3, 6-1 YAIAA Division III) at Wyomissing (11-0, 6-0 Berks Section II)

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

The skinny: Can the red-hot Canners hand Wyomissing its first loss of the season?

Canners must: Start fast. If the Canners can get ahead early and have their running attack wear down the Spartans late, it could give Biglerville a chance to pull off the upset.

Spartans must: Slow down Colton Sentz. The Canners tailback found the end zone four times in last week's win over Hanover.

Friday night football with GameTimePA.com

Scores on the go
Get live scoring updates from football games across southcentral Pennsylvania with GameTimePA’s live scoreboard. You can check the scores on our mobile website or on the free GameTimePA app for iPhone or Droid.  
GameDay with GameTimePA
Listen to our new sports talk radio show GameDay with GameTimePA from 6 to 8 p.m. every Thursday on WOYK-AM 1350. Our reporters will talk high school sports and field reader questions and comments. You can also watch live from 4-6 p.m. at www.GameTimePA.com/GameDay. 
Gridiron Challenge
Think you know high school football? Prove it in our GameTimePA.com Bracket Challenge. Predict the winning District 3 football brackets in Class AAAA and Class AAA for a chance to win a $50 gift card to Dick's Sporting Goods.
Let’s get social
Twitter: Follow @GameTimePA_SC on Twitter for scoring updates, news and commentary. At a game? Tweet us updates, pictures and crowd reactions.
Snapchat: Follow GameTimePA.com on Snapchat for an inside look at what we’re working on. 
Instagram: Tag @GameTimePA_SC in your best high school sports photos. We repost our favorites.