Week 6 preview: Littlestown, York Catholic meet in DIII clash
The matchup between Littlestown and York Catholic hasn't always been a marquee game in YAIAA Division III the past few years.
The two teams haven't always been competitive at the same time since beginning to play each other annually in 2010, and the Bolts struggled the last two seasons while the Irish contended for District 3 titles.
But this year is different. Littlestown enters the game 5-0 while York Catholic is 4-1, and both are undefeated in division play. When the two teams meet this Friday at York Catholic, both will be determined to stay out in front in the Division III title race.
With a star-studded backfield led by running back Jakkar Kinard and quarterback Dan Yokemick, the Irish entered the season with big expectations and have lived up to them so far. The Thunderbolts, on the other hand, have been one this season's biggest surprises, already winning as many games as they did the past two seasons combined.
If Littlestown is going to keep its record unblemished, it'll have to find a way to slow down Kinard and Yokemick, something no YAIAA team has done yet. The Bolts defense has been terrific so far, but it has yet to face a challenge like the Irish.
Friday's games
Biglerville at Delone Catholic
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: Biglerville, 21-6.
The skinny: The Squires are looking to bounce back after starting out divisional play with two losses, while the Canners are still searching for their first win.
Canners (0-5, 0-2) must: Stop the run. Biglerville has struggled all season against the run, which happens to be the bread and butter of Delone's offense. If the Canners can get the Squires to pass more than they'd like to, it'll be a good start.
Squires (3-2, 0-2) must: Cut out the penalties and turnovers. The Squires have lost the last two games to good teams in York Catholic and Littlestown, but they haven't helped themselves by committing 15 penalties and losing 10 turnovers in those games combined. They have to be cleaner moving forward.
Central York at New Oxford
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: Central York, 38-19.
The skinny: Considered arguably the hottest team in the league a week ago, Central York lost to South Western and now must rebound against winless New Oxford.
Panthers (3-2, 1-1) must: Get the run game going again. Star running back Noreaga Goff ran for just 32 yards on 12 carries last week against the Mustangs but faces a much less daunting defense this Friday.
Colonials (0-5, 0-2) must: Get something going on offense. The Colonials are coming off their best defensive performance of the season but have scored just six points the last three games combined.
Dallastown at Northeastern
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: Dallastown, 15-12.
The skinny: The Bobcats look to rebound from back-to-back losses and avenge a dramatic loss from last season, while the Wildcats try to stay undefeated.
Wildcats (5-0, 2-0) must: Eliminate silly mistakes. The Wildcats have struggled with turnovers and penalties all season long. Eliminating those mistakes will help take drama out of their games.
Bobcats (3-2, 0-2) must: Be more consistent. The Bobcats have played well in the first half the last two weeks but ended up losing both games after wearing down in the second half.
Eastern York at Gettysburg
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: Eastern York, 33-3.
The skinny: Both teams have shown major improvements the past few weeks and have yet to lose to a divisional opponent.
Golden Knights (2-3, 2-0) must: Keep forcing turnovers. Eastern York has intercepted seven passes and recovered four fumbles the last two weeks, giving up just 24 combined points in the process. Forcing turnovers could be key against a Gettysburg team coming off a 41-point performance last week.
Warriors (3-2, 2-0) must: Keep making plays on special teams. Kick returner Wesley Gayle continued to be electric last week, taking the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. Special teams plays like that make the Warriors tough to beat.
READ MORE: Eastern York offense takes strides behind the Bernstein brothers
Governor Mifflin at West York
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: Did not play.
The skinny: The Bulldogs picked up their first win last week and now face another difficult out-of-conference opponent.
Mustangs (4-1) must: Start strong. The Mustangs have scored at least four touchdowns in three straight games, and they have consistently used a quick start to build big leads.
Bulldogs (1-4, 1-1) must: Get the running game going. The Bulldogs rushed for 300 yards last week — 181 by Cadence Thomas — in a breakout performance that resulted in a 33-6 win against Kennard-Dale.
Hanover at Fairfield
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: Hanover, 53-14.
The skinny: After starting 4-0 for the first time in school history, Fairfield came down to earth against a strong Bermudian Springs team last week. The Knights will try to get back in the win column against a Hanover team coming off three straight losses.
Nighthawks (2-3, 0-2) must: Get the offense back on track. Hanover got off to a great start offensively this season, but it struggled the past two games with quarterback Cam Mumma out. The Nighthawks need guys like Resean Williams and Logan Brown to keep making plays.
Knights (4-1, 1-1) must: Stay confident. Last week's 42-14 loss to Bermudian Springs may have given Fairfield's young roster a dose of reality, but the Knights are still in a great position to make the District 3 Class A playoffs. They can't afford to lose focus and hang their heads.
James Buchanan at Northern York
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: Northern York, 51-0.
The skinny: The Polar Bears look to snap a losing streak and pick up their first division win of the year.
Rockets (0-5) must: Find the end zone. The Rockets haven't scored a point since Week 2, so finding a way to sustain drives and score touchdowns will be a top priority.
Polar Bears (2-3) must: Move the chains. The Polar Bears only picked up eight first downs in a shutout loss to Waynesboro last week.
Kennard-Dale at Dover
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: Dover, 41-20.
The skinny: Both teams enter this game with winless records in YAIAA Division II play.
Rams (0-5, 0-2) must: Establish continuity. The Rams have used a couple different quarterbacks this season, and neither has really gotten the offense flowing.
Eagles (1-4, 0-2) must: Protect the ball. The Eagles turned the ball over six times last week, negating the 171 yards they secured by throwing the ball.
Red Lion at South Western
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: South Western, 31-14.
The skinny: The Lions look to remain undefeated against a surging Mustangs squad coming off a big win against Central York.
Lions (5-0, 2-0) must: Keep playing well up front. The Lions offensive line helped the team run for 316 yards last week, but now they face a South Western defensive front that's playing extremely well.
Mustangs (3-2, 2-0) must: Put some points on the board. South Western struggled to score earlier this season against two strong Class 6A teams in Manheim Township and Carlisle. Now, the Mustangs have to get something going against another in Red Lion.
READ MORE: South Western staying focused after Mustangs' big win
York Suburban at Susquehannock
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Last year: York Suburban, 47-14.
The skinny: The Trojans are riding a three-game winning streak and enter this game undefeated in YAIAA Division II play.
Trojans (3-2, 1-0) must: Continue to throw the ball well. The Trojans have found a lot of success the last few weeks with quarterback Ben Igo healthy. He threw for 212 yards last week.
Warriors (1-4, 0-1) must: Stop the run. The Trojans have a very capable running back in Teague Hoffman, and the Warriors were gashed by the Gettysburg rushing attack last week.
Saturday's games
Spring Grove at William Penn
Kickoff: Noon.
Last year: Spring Grove, 48-20.
The skinny: The Bearcats gave Dallastown everything they had in a three-point loss next week. They return home looking to pick up their first win in two years.
Rockets (3-2, 1-1) must: Create big plays. The Rockets scored two touchdowns of 40 or more yards last week, making up for the fact that they only picked up eight first downs.
Bearcats (0-5, 0-2) must: Continue to defend the pass well. The Bearcats held Dallastown to 13 passing yards last week and avoided giving up any big plays, which is how they nearly won the game.
Bermudian Springs at York County Tech
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
Last year: Bermudian Springs, 34-8.
The skinny: The Eagles have flown under the radar to a 4-1 record and look to stay undefeated in YAIAA Division III play.
Eagles (4-1, 2-0) must: Continue to share the ball. The Eagles lead the YAIAA in total offense, thanks mostly to a rotating cast of running backs that have amassed 1,303 yards on the ground so far.
Spartans (3-2, 1-1) must: Keep Josiah Smallwood hot. The quarterback ranks second in the YAIAA in passing yards and has shown the ability to run for big gains.