YAIAA football final regular season power rankings
My apologies if activity on the blog this week has been sparse. With a scandal roiling up at Penn State, it's been an all-hands-on-deck week in the YDR sports department. But we had to get at least one more regular season edition of the power rankings out before the start of tonight's District 3 playoff action.
The capsules are a bit abbreviated this time ... once again, it's been a hectic week. We'll post one more edition of the rankings once the playoffs have wrapped up.
Last week's rankings here.
1. Bermudian Springs (1) -- The YAIAA's lone unbeaten team has shined from start to finish this season. Your weekly Tyler Fitzkee and Adam Berryman stat watch: The pair has combined for 3,280 yards from scrimmage and 43 touchdowns this season for the Eagles (10-0). Reread those numbers one more time...
2. South Western (2) -- Just an amazing story going on in Hanover. The Mustangs (8-2) have experienced almost every emotion you could imagine throughout the last six weeks, but the team and community have rallied around each other in the wake of Ben Bynaker's tragic death. South Western has won five in a row heading into this week.
3. Central York (3) -- The Panthers (8-2) have allowed the fewest points in the YAIAA this season (97) and feature a dynamic offensive combination in quarterback Brandon Baker and receiver Jalil Ford. They lead the league in passing and receiving touchdowns, respectively.
4. Dover (T-5) -- All in all, a remarkable season for the Eagles (9-1), who won a share of the program's first division title and topped neighborhood rival West York along the way. Now the Eagles shoot for their first district playoff victory.
5. West York (T-5) -- It's five straight Division II titles and counting for the Bulldogs (8-2), although this one came in the form of a three-way tie. No matter, West York has a high district seed (third in Class AAA) and a great chance to make another playoff run.
6. Delone Catholic (3) -- The Squires (9-1) are one seven-point loss away from an unbeaten season. Instead, they won't even get a home game in the District 3-AA tournament. This is dangerous team, though. Don't be surprised to see Delone make a run.
7. Red Lion (8) -- Up-and-down season for the Lions (6-4) -- two losses, followed by five wins, followed by two more losses. Injuries and other distractions have made matters difficult, but there is enough talent here to pose a threat on any given night.
8. Northeastern (7) -- What a season for the Bobcats (6-4), who will play in their first district playoff game Friday at West York. Northeastern won a share of the Division II title ... not too shabby for a program in only its fourth year of varsity football.
9. Littlestown (9) -- Another solid season for Mike Lippy's group, which found yet another prolific passer in junior Dustin Crouse. The Thunderbolts (7-3) are not the sort of team you want to see in a playoff setting. They can score with anybody.
T-10. Dallastown (NR) -- The 4-6 record looks lackluster, until you consider all that the Wildcats graduated after last season. Ton of young talent here. Expect them to be back contending for a division title next season.
T-10. York Catholic (NR) -- The Irish (4-6) sneak in the District 3-A playoffs. They boast both the league's leading passer in James Dougherty (1,976 yards) and it's leading receiver in Patrick Montgomery (1,075 yards).