YAIAA football expanded picks, Week 7

Couple good ones this week. Let's get to it. Our staff picks are here.

Last week: 13-1

Overall: 75-21

FRIDAY'S GAMES

Biglerville (3-3, 3-2 Div. III) at Eastern York (2-4, 2-3 Div. III), 7 p.m.

This one isn't straightforward by any means. Biglerville has looked strong the last several weeks, even during defeats to Littlestown and Delone. And Eastern played the Bolts plenty tough last Friday. Two strong running games here. Fresh off a 49-point performance against York Catholic, I like the Canners' attack just a little bit more.

The pick: Biglerville 27, Eastern York 21

Fairfield (0-6, 0-5 Div. III) at Bermudian Springs (6-0, 5-0 Div. III), 7 p.m.

After crashing other schools' homecomings the last two weeks (at York Suburban, then Delone Catholic), the Eagles return for their own at York Springs. Don't expect them to have much trouble in this one. The Green Knights showed life last week against York Suburban, but I can't see them hanging with Bermudian's ground-and-pound offense.

The pick: Bermudian Springs 45, Fairfield 7

William Penn (1-5, 0-1 Div. I) at Dallastown (2-4, 0-1 Div. I), 7 p.m.

These Division I teams have been opposites of one another. Dallastown has scuffled of offense; William Penn has scuffled on defense. The Bearcats' greatest strength is their passing game; the Wildcats' greatest strength is their pass defense. Dallastown's impressive defense actually looked mortal last week, coughing up a 15-point halftime lead to South Western. I wouldn't expect the same to happen this week.

The pick: Dallastown 24, William Penn 14

Delone Catholic (5-1, 4-1 Div. III) at York Catholic (2-4, 2-3 Div. III), 7 p.m.

Have to think there's some frustration left over for the Squires from their loss to Bermudian Springs last week. Delone was able to move the ball, but didn't finish enough drives. The Squires may have found a good team to remedy that against. York Catholic has allowed 91 combined points the last two weeks. Even with QB James Dougherty playing lights-out, that sort of porous play is too much to overcome.

The pick: Delone Catholic 42, York Catholic 24

West York (5-1, 1-0 Div. II) at Dover (6-0, 1-0 Div. II), 7 p.m.

This week's showcase game. A rivalry contest so much more at stake; the winner almost guarantees itself at least a share of the Division II title. The outlook of this game was changed, of course, when Dover running back Tanner Link -- the YAIAA's leading rusher -- was ejected from last week's game, and by-rule levied a one-game suspension. With him, I think this game's a absolute toss-up. Without Link, I give West York a slight edge. His explosiveness cannot be replaced. Yes, the Bulldogs will be outsized in this one by a good margin. But their speed can more than make up for that.

The pick: West York 24, Dover 20

Gettysburg (1-5, 1-2 Mid-Penn Colonial) at Big Spring (2-4, 1-2 Mid-Penn Colonial), 7 p.m.

Consistency has been hard to come by for both these teams. Gettysburg's defense has up at least 29 points in each one of its games, and the offense hasn't exactly controlled the ball. Big Spring's William Wiser (842 yards) is a horse at running back. Here's guessing he makes the difference.

The pick: Big Spring 28, Gettysburg 20

Hanover (0-6, 0-5 Div. III) at York Suburban (4-2, 3-2 Div. III), 7 p.m.

A tough season for the Nighthawks keeps getting tougher. The Trojans weren't exactly sharp last week against Fairfield, but once they woke up, they had little trouble climbing out of a two-score hole. Hanover has struggled in just about every phase of the game in this one. Hard to see that changing against a good Suburban side.

The pick: York Suburban 38, Hanover 6

Northeastern (3-3, 1-0 Div. II) at Susquehannock (0-6, 0-5 Div. II), 7 p.m.

Speaking of tough seasons, it's been another one for the folks in Glen Rock. The defense has been non-existent (league-most 271 points allowed) and has only forced five turnovers. The passing game has shown signs of life, but that's about it. Then again, Northeastern didn't exactly look convincing last week, in an 18-7 win over New Oxford. Still, the Bobcats have shown glimpses of their potential throughout the season. Have to think they get it done.

The pick: Northeastern 27, Susquehannock 13

Shippensburg (6-0, 3-0 Mid-Penn Colonial) at Northern York (3-3, 2-1 Mid-Penn Colonial), 7 p.m.

Last year, Shippensburg's calling card was a bruising running game. This year, it's been a stout defense that has allowed 5.7 points per game. The Greyhounds offense won't overwhelm you, but it does just enough. I think the Polar Bears can keep this one close, but I'd be surprised to see them win it.

The pick: Shippensburg 21, Northern York 7

Red Land (4-2, 2-1 Mid-Penn Keystone) at Hershey (6-0, 2-0 Mid-Penn Keystone), 7 p.m.

Hershey has blazed to a perfect start and the offense has been the biggest reason why, scoring points at a 37.5 per game clip. Dual-threat quarterback Zach Drayer has led the way with 1,070 all-purpose yards and 12 TDs, but he's had help, too. Red Land has its own talented QB in Kyle Biddle, but I'm just not sure the Patriots can keep pace.

The pick: Hershey 34, Red Lion 20

Red Lion (4-2, 1-0 Div. I) at Spring Grove (1-5, 0-1 Div. I), 7 p.m.

This has revenge-game written all over it for the Lions. Last year, the Rockets rolled into Horn Field and ran over Red Lion. I'm sure Pat Conrad's team would like to return the favor. You'd have to like their chances to do, with or without running back Jason Milton and Darrel Kendrick, who were absent from last week's game for undisclosed reasons. Red Lion still has proven talent on offense, and Spring Grove is still trying to find its sea legs.

The pick: Red Lion 38, Spring Grove 14

Central York (5-1, 1-0 Div. I) at South Western (4-2, 1-0 Div. I), 7:30 p.m.

There will be plenty of emotions at the Corral, as the Mustangs remember teammate Benjamin Bynaker. As South Western coach Don Seidenstricker put it, such tragedies put interscholastic athletics in their proper perspective. Still, once the game starts, both teams will certainly play their hearts out. From a purely football perspective, it's hard to argue with how the Panthers have been playing lately. They've outscored their last three opponents 151-6. And while those have came against less-than-stellar competition, those numbers still stand out.

The pick: Central York 20, South Western 14

SATURDAY'S GAMES

Littlestown (4-2, 4-1 Div. III) at York County Tech (2-4, 2-3 Div. III), 10 a.m.

Don't look know, but the Spartans are on a two-game win streak. Littlestown, meanwhile, has looked shaky in wins against Biglerville and Eastern York recently. The Thunderbolts have struggled at times stopping the run, something Tech does quite a bit of. Still, can Tech get enough stops to keep it close?

The pick: Littlestown 37, York County Tech 14

New Oxford (0-6, 0-1 Div. II) at Kennard-Dale (1-5, 0-1 Div. II), 1 p.m.

Two teams trying to right the ship. Kennard-Dale hasn't won since an opening-night comeback against York Catholic. And the Ox is still looking for its first victory. These teams have had similar problems; namely, both have been inconsistent on offense. I see a close one here. The Rams, and QB Dan Hare, make enough plays late to pull one out.

The pick: Kennard-Dale 19, New Oxford 13