Bold predictions: week 7
It’s Week 7 and we are beginning the most important leg of section races in the L-L League. Playoff hopes are beginning to formulate and every week becomes more crucial than the last. Just as some teams are trying to frantically turn around their season around, I will desperately try to improve on my painfully average prediction percentage.
LAST WEEK: 8-5
OVERALL: 70-28
THE GAME: Lancaster Catholic (3-3) at Wilson (6-0)
THE WINNER: Wilson
THE REASON: The Crusaders have appeared to have turned their season around after rattling off three straight wins following an 0-3 start. Their metal will really be tested this week though when they travel to West Lawn to take on the Bulldogs. Wilson has outscored their opponents 243-64 so far this season and it’s hard to imagine that they won’t defend their home turf on Friday.
THE GAME: Cedar Crest (2-4) at Hempfield (3-3)
THE WINNER: Hempfield
THE REASON: The Black Knights has alternated wins and losses all season and I see that trend continuing this week after their 41-23 loss to Wilson last week. Hempfield’s sheer size should allow them to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and take advantage of a Falcons team that has given up an average of 31.5 points in the past two weeks.
THE GAME: J.P. McCaskey (0-6) at Warwick (2-4)
THE WINNER: Warwick
THE REASON: McCaskey is allowing 41 points per game and is only averaging 8.3 on offense. While Warwick is on a three-game losing streak, they should possess enough offensive firepower to outlast the Red Tornado at home.
THE GAME: Lampeter-Strasburg (4-2) at Manheim Central (6-0)
THE WINNER: Manheim Central
THE REASON: The Barons claimed their title as the bully of Section Two last week with a 24-12 over Cocalico in what was possible the most anticipated game of the season. Although the Pioneers are a four-game winning streak, I have to go with the juggernaut that is Manheim Central.
THE GAME: Ephrata (0-6) at Elizabethtown (2-4)
THE WINNER: Elizabethtown
THE REASON: Neither team is going to overpower the other offensively but I’ll give the slight edge to home team. E-Town is averaging almost 20 more points per game at home than on the road this season.
THE GAME: Lebanon (4-2) at Cocalico (5-1)
THE WINNER: Cocalico
THE REASON: The Eagles can either come into this Friday’s game dwelling on their loss to Manheim Central or re-focused and looking to take out some aggression. From what I’ve seen of the Cocalico players, I would bet on the latter.
THE GAME: Penn Manor (5-1) at Manheim Township (4-2)
THE WINNER: Penn Manor
THE REASON: Although the Blue Streaks have recently grinded out consecutive two-point road victories, the Comets could still be in “wreaking havoc mode” after losing to Lancaster Catholic two weeks ago. Penn Manor defeated McCaskey, 55-0 last week.
THE GAME: Pequea Valley (3-3) at Donegal (4-2)
THE WINNER: Donegal
THE REASON: The Indians have averaged over 44 points since fullback Kris Trimby returned three weeks ago. It looks like Donegal is primed to make a real run at the Section Three title while Pequea Valley has lost three straight games.
THE GAME: Columbia (3-3) at Annville-Cleona (1-5)
THE WINNER: Columbia
THE REASON: The Dutchmen are flying high after downing Garden Spot last week for their first win of the season while Columbia is coming off a solid, 28-6 win over Pequea Valley. Two of the Crimson Tide’s victories this season have come on the road and Columbia, for whatever reason, is averaging 13 more points per game on the road than at home. I’ll go with the road warriors this week.
THE GAME: Elco (1-5) at Northern Lebanon (2-4)
THE REASON: The Raiders are giving up 47 points per game so far this season and are coming off a bad, 60-27 loss to Donegal. Meanwhile, the Vikings average loss percentage is by a modest 5.3 points. I’ll take the more balanced team at home.
THE GAME: Pius X (3-3) at Garden Spot (4-2)
THE WINNER: Garden Spot
THE REASON: The Spartans were upended on the road at Annville-Cleona last week but return home where they are 2-0 so far this season. Garden Spot should feel a sense of urgency if they want to remain competitive in Section Three.
THE GAME: Solanco (0-6) at Conestoga Valley (1-5)
THE WINNER: Conestoga Valley
THE REASON: The Buckskins tallied their first win of the season with a 17-13 win over Ephrata last week and are primed to make it two in a row against a Solanco team that is averaging just over seven points per game.
THE GAME: Red Land (3-3) at Palmyra (1-5)
THE WINNER: Red Land
THE REASON: Palmyra is coming off back-to-back 49-7 losses and is giving up and average of almost 45 points per game while only scoring a little over 12 points per game. I’ll give the edge to the Patriots who snapped a three-game losing streak last week with a 28-14 win over Mechanicsburg.