Examining the District 3 football playoff picture
It's that time of year again. Just two regular season games remain before we once again turn our attention to the District 3 football playoffs. Much will be decided between now and then. Some teams will solidify postseason berths. Others will lose them.
But before we let the games play themselves out, let's take a look at where the YAIAA teams in playoff contention stand in the District 3 power rankings. A class-by-class look after the jump.
CLASS AAAA (Top 16 qualify)
Power rankings here.
Currently in: As you can see, only one YAIAA team is in line right now to receive a home game. Central York checks in at No. 8, which makes this weeks game against Red Lion critical from a seeding perspective. ... South Western has grabbed the inside track to a Division I title, but the Mustangs may need some help to earn a home game in the first round. They currently rank No. 11 ... Right behind the Mustangs, you'll find the team they beat this past Friday. Red Lion ranks No. 12, and has some work left to do these last few weeks. Should the Lions lose at Central York, they could face a win-or-go-home matchup with rival Dallastown the next week.
Currently out: Speaking of the Wildcats, a 3-5 record hasn't kept them out of contention. Dallastown ranks 18th right now. It plays Spring Grove this week, then visits Red Lion in Week 10. There's a good chance that if the Wildcats win both of these, they could get in.
CLASS AAA (Top 16 qualify)
Power rankings here.
Currently in: As usual, West York is in excellent position here. The Bulldogs check in at No. 5 right now, and if they can win out to finish the season, they could move up even further. A top four spot means the potential for two home games, something you know Ron Miller's squad wouldn't mind ... Despite an upset loss to Northeastern last week, Dover is still in a good spot. At No. 7, the Eagles are in line for a home game. And truth be told, a poor OWWP (the district's version of strength of schedule) pretty much ensured Dover wouldn't rise any higher than fourth or fifth, anyway. In fact, the Eagles have the second worst OWWP in District 3-AAA. The reason? Non-conference opponents Hanover, William Penn and Spring Grove have combined for three wins this season ... At 5-3 on the year, Northeastern looks well-positioned for the program's first-ever district playoff berth. Even if the Bobcats fall to West York this week, they could likely qualify with a win against Kennard-Dale. For now, they sit at No. 14.
Currently out: It looks like an uphill climb for York Suburban. Even with a 5-3 record, the Trojans are victims of a miserable OWWP. That's no fault of their own, mind you -- Suburban's move down to Division III last season means it plays most of its games against Class A and AA opponents. And the Trojans lone non-division game came against winless Susquehannock. Suburban needs to win and get a lot of help to get in.
CLASS AA (Top 8 qualify)
Power rankings here.
Currently in: With a perfect record so far, Bermudian Springs appears in good shape. It's No. 2 seed, if it can hold onto it, would give the Eagles a shot at two home games and keep them on the opposite side of the bracket from powerhouse Lancaster Catholic. It makes Berm's last two games of the -- against Littlestown and Biglerville -- even more critical ... Delone Catholic has a tenuous hold on the No. 4 spot -- and a potential first-round home game -- over Trinity. But the Shamrocks finish with games against above-.500 sides Milton Hershey and Boiling Springs. If Trinity wins both those, it might be able to leapfrog Delone Catholic in the rankings ... Finally, Littlestown looks set to earn a district berth. Even if the Thunderbolts fall to Bermudian this week, they should be remain in the top eight. Just eyeballing this thing, it even looks like there's even a chance we see Berm and Littlestown end up at No. 2 and 7, respectively. That means these two could play again in the first round of districts. Deja vu, anybody?
Currently out: Even at No. 9, Biglerville would need a lot to go right to get in. The Canners need to finish with upset wins against York Suburban and Bermudian Springs and hope for losses from Berks Catholic and/or Boiling Springs. Looks like a longshot.
CLASS A (Top 4 qualify)
Power rankings here.
Currently in: Even with a 3-5 record, the paucity of teams in this class leaves York Catholic with a good shot to earn a playoff berth. The Fighting Irish are at No. 4, with games against York County Tech and York Suburban left. A win in either of those two games should seal a playoff berth.