By Staff Reports, October 2, 2008

Last updated: Friday, October 3, 2008 5:20 AM EDT

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Mid-Penn Crossover

Camp Hill Lions (4-1) at James Buchanan Rockets (0-5) Friday, 7 p.m.

Site: Rocket Stadium, Mercersburg

Coaches: Camp Hill — Frank Kindler; James Buchanan — Mark Yurek.

Last year: Camp Hill, 12-0.

Key players: Camp Hill — Tyler Shover, sr., QB; Jordan Weber, sr., FB-CB; Trevor Polly, sr., WR-CB; Matt Spiegel, sr., WR; Matt Robertson, jr., RB-LB; Alex Patchin, jr., RB-LB. James Buchanan — Jesse Smartt, sr., QB; Alex Buterbaugh, sr., WR-LB; Derek Sweeny, jr., WR-K-KR.

Breakdown: Don’t expect another close game like last year. The multifaceted Camp Hill offense feasts on opponents who can’t keep up with its misdirection plays. Unfortunately for the Rockets, they’ll have trouble figuring out who has the ball. It’s been a tough year so far in Mercersburg and Camp Hill’s 22 football players will make for some rude guests Friday night.

Prediction: Camp Hill, 34-6.

Cedar Cliff Colts (3-2) at State College Little Lions (5-0) Friday, 7 p.m.

Site: Memorial Field, State College

Coaches: Cedar Cliff — Jim Cantafio; State College — Al Wolski.

Last year: State College, 45-7.

Key players: Cedar Cliff — Tim Kelly, soph., QB-DB; Tate Moore-Jacobs, jr., RB-LB; Sean Kelly, sr., SE; A.D. Huff, jr., RB-DB; Matt Ulsh, sr., S; Chris Parthemore, sr., TE-DL. State College — James Avedesian, sr., QB; Alex Kenney, jr., RB-DB; Rob Stupar, sr., FB; Vinh Vuong, sr., OG-DL; Chance Gaines, sr., LB.

Breakdown: If Cantafio can figure out a way to stop State High’s rushing attack, the Colts might have a shot. Problem is, five teams have tried. All have failed. Cumberland Valley and Harrisburg were close in three- and eight-point losses, respectively. Cedar Cliff no doubt has been watching those films to see how to slow this freight train down. Cantafio will have to rely on QB Kelly to continue his solid play as Jake Troutman is out for the year with a torn ACL. Potential for a lot of points in this one.

Prediction: State College, 45-23.

Central Dauphin Rams (3-2) at Carlisle Thundering Herd (1-4) Friday, 7 p.m.

Site: Ken Millen Stadium, Carlisle

Coaches: Central Dauphin — Glen McNamee; Carlisle — Brett Ickes.

Last year: Central Dauphin, 37-7.

Key players: Central Dauphin — Justin Shirk, sr., QB-LB; Kyle Wolfe, jr., RB-LB; Jack Lippert, sr., OT-DL; Artie Rowell, sr., OG-DL. Carlisle — Travis Mease, jr., RB; Terrance Bennett, sr., HB-DB; Greg Tate, sr., OL-LB; Austin Morrow, sr., OL-DL; Greg Wuestner, sr., TE-LB; Richard Bullis, sr., OG-LB.

Breakdown: A struggling offense against a fairly solid defense could equal a win for Carlisle. Unless something unforeseen happens, the Rams won’t be blowing anyone out this season. One of the main factors for the Herd is the mental state of the players. Until a 99-yard kickoff return, Carlisle was dominating Cedar Cliff. After that, heads hung and the team lost, 24-3. If the offense can find a way to score some early points, the defense might have enough to post a win.

Prediction: Central Dauphin, 19-12.

East Pennsboro Panthers (2-3) at Trinity Shamrocks (4-1) Friday, 7 p.m.

Site: COBO Field, Camp Hill

Coaches: East Penn — Todd Stuter; Trinity — Jeff Boger.

Last year: Did not meet.

Key players: East Penn — Wes Strayer, sr., QB-CB; Tyler Rivera, sr., RB-S; Blake Wheeler, jr., RB-CB; Mike Couch, sr., C. Trinity — Ted Spinelli, sr., QB-LB; Christian Kuntz, sr., RB-S; Matt Connors, jr., FB-LB; Nick Kindler, sr., OT-DL; Bill Phillipy, sr., TE-DL; Nick Schleinkofer, sr., OG-LB.

Breakdown: Trinity has the speed to contain Wheeler and the Shamrocks likely will keep the speedster under wraps Friday. The first three weeks were anything but easy but the benefits of that early-season schedule is starting to show as Trinity has cruised the last two weeks. East Penn will offer a stiffer test than Susquenita and Scotland but the ‘Rocks defense and a tricky offense will have East Penn’s collective heads spinning.

Prediction: Trinity, 27-7.

Gettysburg Warriors (1-4) at Big Spring Bulldogs (1-4) Friday, 7 p.m.

Site: Big Spring High School Stadium, Newville

Coaches: Gettysburg — Sam Leedy; Big Spring — Brent Stroh.

Last year: Gettysburg, 38-7.

Key players: Gettysburg — Justin Jones, sr., QB-LB; Trevon Johnson, sr., WR-CB; Miles Sherman, jr., FB-OLB; Adam Willman, sr., OLB. Big Spring — Luke Etter, jr., QB; Tyler Baum, jr., WR-LB; Garrett Christlieb, sr., WR-DL; Hunter Bailey, jr., C-LB; Josh Myers, sr., G-DL; Ben Tyger, sr., OT-DT.

Breakdown: Gettysburg has been tinkering with a few things the last three weeks. That’s why Jones is now at QB and Johnson is at WR. For Big Spring, the defense has to be able to stop somebody, unlike last week. The offense also needs to generate a few points if Big Spring is to nab a ‘W’ from a Gettysburg team that is nowhere near as strong as it was last year.

Prediction: Gettysburg, 30-14.

Northern Polar Bears (4-1) at Hershey Trojans (1-4) Friday, 7 p.m.

Site: Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey

Coaches: Northern — Rick Mauck; Hershey — Bob ‘Gump’ May.

Last year: Did not meet.

Key players: Northern — Joe Tuschak, soph., QB; Robert Bleiler, sr., WR-DB; Ryan Aumiller, sr., WR; Dan Blemler, jr., WR; Hank Sanders, sr., TE-LB; Kelton Mehls, jr., OL-DL. Hershey — Jake Campbell, jr., QB-CB; Mark Anthony Brown, sr., RB; Harry Arndt, sr., FB-LB; Luke Drayer, jr., LB.

Breakdown: Another interesting regular season game for Northern. Hershey isn’t as powerful as last year but the Trojans are well-coached and play tough — ask Mechanicsburg or Red Land. Still, Northern should win this game, especially if Bleiler is starting to regain his health. If that ankle still isn’t 100 percent, the artificial turf at the Stadium will be to the senior’s liking.

Prediction: Northern, 28-16.

Mechanicsburg Wildcats (5-0) at Shippensburg Greyhounds (2-3) Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Site: Memorial Park Veteran’s Stadium, Shippensburg

Coaches: Mechanicsburg — Chris Hakel; Shippensburg — Eric Foust.

Last year: Did not meet.

Key players: Mechanicsburg — Jake Zeigler, sr., QB-CB; Tarik Leftenant, jr., RB; Ben Anderson, sr., WR-LB; Travis Pollilo, sr., OL-DL; Ryan Mentzer, sr., OL. Shippensburg — Greg Boldosser, sr., QB-DB; Ethan Naylor, sr., RB; Jared Hamilton, sr., RB; Tyler Fairchild, jr., OL; Josh Clever, sr., DL.

Breakdown: Shippensburg will need to carry over as much momentum from last week’s win as possible. Even that might not be enough to take out Mechanicsburg, a team that has progressively gotten better as the weeks have ticked away. There’s some added pressure as the Wildcats will be playing as the top seed in the District 3-AAA power rankings. A slip-up will drop Mechanicsburg at least eight spots.

Prediction: Mechanicsburg, 42-14.

West Perry Mustangs (1-4) at Waynesboro Indians (3-2) Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Site: Rip Engle Stadium, Waynesboro

Coaches: West Perry — Al Ream; Waynesboro — Darwin Seiler.

Last year: West Perry, 22-13.

Key players: West Perry — Chaz Sheaffer, jr., RB-LB; Ben Kennedy, sr., WR-CB; Tyler Zito, sr., OL; Dayne Abeling, sr., K. Waynesboro — Ian Smith, sr., RB-K; Dylan Spangler, sr., FB-LB; Brandon Robinson, jr., OG-DT; Greg Brewster, sr., C.

Breakdown: In Abeling, the Mustangs always have a chance in close games. The problem recently has been being in close games. Both teams are coming off thumpings last week, so the team to forget those defeats and move on will have the better chance in this one. Waynesboro’s size is something to be concerned with but Mechanicsburg pushed the Indians around rather easily. We’re just not sold that Waynesboro is ready for prime time yet.

Prediction: West Perry, 22-20.

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Non-conference

Boiling Springs Bubblers (1-4) at Milton Black Panthers (1-4) Friday, 7 p.m.

Site: Alumni Field, Milton

Coaches: Boiling Springs — Matt Heiser; Milton — Mike Bergey.

Last year: Did not meet.

Key players: Boiling Springs — Zane Frederick, sr., RB; Aaron Marsh, jr., RB; Dakota Kuhn, sr., RB-LB; Patrick Christie, jr., OT; Garrett Breon, sr., OT. Milton — Tyler Birdsall, sr., QB-LB; Codye Miller, sr., RB-LB; Bobby Turnbaugh, jr., RB-LB; Tyrone Short, jr., RB-DB.

Breakdown: Each team has four losses but those aren’t exactly equal. Only one of Boiling Springs’ losses have come by more than seven points. Milton, on the other hand, has been beaten by 41, 39 and 40 points. In five games, the Black Panthers have scored a mere 13 points. Boiling Springs has issues scoring but Milton should be exactly what the team needs to cure those woes.

Prediction: Boiling Springs, 26-6.

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Mid-Penn Crossover

Susquenita Blackhawks (1-4) at Milton Hershey Spartans (1-4) Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

Site: Henry Hershey Field, Hershey

Coaches: Susquenita — Jeff Geisel; Milton Hershey — Bob Guyer.

Last year: Did not meet.

Key players: Susquenita — Derec Sauve, jr., QB; Russ Hiddeman, jr., RB-LB; Josh Shearer, jr., WR-K; Nate Ressler, jr., LB. Milton Hershey — Jimmy Miller, jr., QB; Corey Dupree, sr., RB-CB; Garry Gilliam, sr., TE-CB; Chris Ramirez, jr., NG.

Breakdown: If last week’s loss to Camp Hill is any indication, Milton Hershey might have trouble with a Susquenita team that loves to throw. Last week Camp Hill threw for 316 yards against the Spartans. That gives hope to Susquenita and Sauve, the area’s leading quarterback with 926 passing yards. The team with the ball last could have the best shot to win.

Prediction: Milton Hershey, 32-27.

Cumberland Valley Eagles (4-1) at Lower Dauphin Falcons (2-3) Saturday, 7 p.m.

Site: Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey

Coaches: CV — Tim Rimpfel; Lower Dauphin — Rob Klock.

Last year: Did not meet.

Key players: CV — Nate Rhodes, sr., QB; Mike Frenette, sr., RB-OLB; Travis Friend, sr., FB-ILB; Matt Lengel, sr., TE-DE. Lower Dauphin — Nick Atanasoff, sr., QB; Jordan Rosario, sr., RB; Jared Bausch, sr., TE-LB; Josh Borreli, sr., WR-DB.

Breakdown: Well this is it for CV. A four-game road trip comes to a close Saturday night and a win will make it 4-for-4. Recently the Eagles have simply dominated their opponents, winning the last two, 100-3. The Falcons will offer a little more resistance and should have confidence after playing Bishop McDevitt very tough for a little over two quarters on Saturday morning. The passing game of the Falcons will keep them in it but CV is just rolling at this point.

Prediction: CV, 31-14.