Week 4 YAIAA expanded football picks

A confession: I don't like picking games.

But hey, someone decided it was a good idea, and people seem generally interested in who we pick. So since I'm choosing winners anyway, why not go a little further?

Every Friday morning for the rest of the season, I'll post a blog expanding on my picks for the week's games. Check out the jump for the Week 4 rundown.

You can see picks from all four of us -- myself, along with fellow sports writer Steve Navaroli, sports editor Chris Otto and assistant sports editor Lyzz Jones -- by clicking here.

I'll be at Dallastown tonight to see the Wildcats host West York. I'll try to pass along updates on Twitter. You can follow me here.

Friday's games

Biglerville at Littlestown, 7 p.m.

The Bolts are banged up right now, but this is your classic bounce-back game after last week's loss to Delone. This Littlestown team is talented and should get better as the season goes on. Biglerville is no pushover, but the Bolts take this one.

The pick: Littlestown 35, Biglerville 14

New Oxford at Central York, 7 p.m.

This one screams mismatch. The Ox hasn't moved the ball much this season. Central has one of the area's better defenses. Say no more.

The pick: Central York 38, New Oxford 10

York County Tech at Bermudian Springs, 7 p.m.

How do you stop the Eagles tailback tandem of Tyler Fitzkee and Adam Berryman? Nobody has figured it out yet. I wouldn't bank on it happening this week.

The pick: Bermudian Springs 34, York County Tech 7

West York at Dallastown, 7 p.m.

Wildcats play some rock solid D, but it's been more than 11 quarters since they found the end zone. West York's defense is no slouch, either. Here's guessing Dallastown breaks its touchdown skid, but will that be enough?

The pick: West York 21, Dallastown 7

York Suburban at Delone Catholic, 7 p.m.

Really intriguing matchup here. Two high-powered offenses. Delone are the blue bloods of this division, competing year-in and year-our for championships. Suburban is the upstart stocked with speedy offensive weapons. Love what Brian Freed and his staff have done with the Trojans, but have to go with the Squires here.

The pick: Delone Catholic 34, York Suburban 21

Dover at Spring Grove, 7 p.m.

The Rockets won this fixture last year in a rout. Don't expect a repeat. Spring Grove is improving, and Russ Stoner will get this group straightened out. But this is one of the best Eagles teams we've seen in a long time.

The pick: Dover 33, Spring Grove 12

Eastern York at Fairfield, 7 p.m.

The battle of the Knights. Neither has impressed much so far, but Eastern York has some weapons, namely tailback Alex Cooley. If the Golden Knights' continue to develop their young talent (sophomore QB Taylor Thomas, freshman WR Jake Kessler, etc.), then coach Richard Brubaker and his staff might have something here.

The pick: Eastern York 35, Fairfield 6

James Buchanan at Gettysburg, 7 p.m.

The Rockets are 2-1, but the "2" came against some lackluster competition: Southside (Md.) Academy and Carson Long. Gettysburg has struggled mightily so far, but the Warriors finally break through this week.

The pick: Gettysburg 27, James Buchanan 21

Hanover at York Catholic, 7 p.m.

Nothing this season has gone the Nighthawks' way. Hanover's 0-3 start has come at the expense of some good competition, but the offense has really sputtered. After getting hammered by graduation, first-year Irish coach Eric Depew has found some weapons, namely junior quarterback James Dougherty, the YAIAA's leading passer. Take York Catholic here.

The pick: York Catholic 27, Hanover 16

Kennard-Dale at Red Lion, 7 p.m.

You won't find many better 1-2 teams than the Lions. After racking up 468 yards against Carlisle last week, Pat Conrad's group appears to have its mojo back. Expect that to continue against the Rams.

The pick: Red Lion 41, Kennard-Dale 14

William Penn at Northeastern, 7 p.m.

All four of us picked the Bearcats, but don't be fooled. This was by far my toughest pick of the week. Northeastern outplayed a very good Shippensburg team last week despite losing 14-12. And despite a messy, seven-turnover performance last week, the Bearcats are a dangerous team. Really, really tough call here ... take William Penn in a thriller.

The pick: William Penn 23, Northeastern 20

Red Land at Lower Dauphin, 7 p.m.

The Patriots have improved greatly from last season, and played Dover close last week. Lower Dauphin may be 1-2, but the Falcons gave a solid South Western team all it could handle last week. Another close one. I give a slight edge to Lower Dauphin.

The pick: Lower Dauphin 20, Red Land 14

Northern at Waynesboro, 7:30 p.m.The Indians showed they're an improved football team by beating New Oxford last week. But after throwing away multiple scoring opportunities in a loss to Mechanicsburg last week, the Polar Bears should be angry. They get a rebound win.

Northern York 34, Waynesboro 10

Susquehannock at South Western, 7:30 p.m.Give the Warriors credit for scheduling tough. Including the Mustangs, Susquehannock's first four opponents are a combined 11-1 so far. Unfortunately for Bill Kerr's group, they're probably overmatched again this week.

The pick: South Western 37, Susquehannock 13

What do you think of the picks? Chime in using the comments section.