The calendar has shifted to October and the high school football season has reached week 7. As the division races continue to take shape, eyes shift to the playoffs, with some teams looking for a deep run and others needing a hot month to stay alive.
All 22 teams in the York-Adams League are back in action against league opponents, with a non-divisional matchup between the 11-game schedule. Ten contests will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, with York High’s highly anticipated homecoming game against Dallastown scheduled for noon Saturday.
Here’s a rundown of each game this weekend:
DIVISION I
Dallastown (3-3, 2-1) at York High (3-2, 2-0): The Bearcats have waited a long time for this Saturday afternoon’s homecoming game, taking the field for the last time on September 23 for a 46-14 win over Red Lion. Record-setting senior quarterback Sam Stoner and RB Jahiem White will look to pick up right where they left off against the Wildcats, who lost to first-place Central York last Friday. Dallastown will lean on WR Kenny Johnson and the rest of their playmakers to keep up with what could be a high-scoring affair.
Red Lion (2-4, 0-2) at Spring Grove (4-2, 1-1): He was back on the drawing board on Friday, and he was back on the drawing board for the Lions, who won their first two games but have now lost four in a row, including division losses of 46-14 and 20-0. The Rockets started the year with two wins, then suffered two losses, then won two in a row to close out September. Spring Grove wide receiver Nizeah Mummert (13 touchdowns) and Red Lion kicker Garrett Coppersmith (six touchdowns, 18 extra points, three field goals) are two of the top three scorers in Division I.
Central York (5-1, 3-0) at Northeast (1-5, 0-3): It’s certainly a mismatch on paper, with the division’s first- and last-place teams meeting. The Panthers have won six straight against the Bobcats, the last five were blowouts and the last three came with final scores of 57-7, 70-0 and 53-7. Northeastern knows it will need its best performance to stand a chance, and Central York is still fine-tuning for a potential playoff run.
DIVISION II
Kennard-Dale (3-3, 2-0) at New Oxford (5-1, 3-0): It’s the potential marquee matchup of the season in Division II, as the defending champion Rams take on this year’s leading Colonials. Quarterback Jett Moore has guided an excellent New Oxford offense that is averaging 28 points per game, with the defense limiting opponents to just 13.5 points per contest. Kennard-Dale, led by Connor Wolf and the defensive line, won its third straight game by defeating Fleetwood, 20-14, in a non-league tryout last Friday.
York East (2-4, 1-1) at Dover (4-2, 2-1): The Golden Knights scored two touchdowns in the final two minutes to stun West York, 14-13, and return to the division race. Dover, led by reigning D-II Skill Player of the Week Aric Campbell at quarterback, is more than equipped to quell that momentum. Campbell threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more in the Eagles’ 35-21 win last week at York Suburban.
Susquehannock (2-4, 0-2) at York Suburban (2-4, 0-3): With the season quickly moving away from both teams, this matchup presents an opportunity to build momentum going down the stretch. The host Trojans had a promising 2-1 record before losses against West York, New Oxford and Dover brought the season to a halt. The Warriors also have losses against New Oxford and Dover to their name, and have additional competition to get back into the division mix. But there is no more time to wait.
DIVISION III
Biglerville (3-3, 1-2) at Delone Catholic (3-3, 3-0): The Squires earned first place in D-III with a 31-28 double-overtime win at York Catholic last Friday, and the win moved them to .500 overall and a projected playoff spot in the power rankings. District 3 Class 2A. Biglerville faces a quicker turnaround after holding off York Tech on Saturday for its first division victory in nearly two years.
Hanover (2-4, 1-2) at York Catholic (2-4, 2-1): Levan McFadden did all he could for the Fighting Irish against Delone Catholic, rushing for 260 yards and leading a second-half comeback. He now faces a Nighthawks defense that allowed 49 points to Bermudian Springs last week and 50 to Littlestown on Sept. 17 (although Hanover beat Fairfield, 56-19, in between those losses).
Fairfield (1-4, 1-2) at Bermudian Springs (2-4, 2-1): The Eagles, after an 0-4 start, have been dominant in their last two games, beating Biglerville 28-16 and Hanover 49-20. The offense scored five touchdowns on its first six possessions and rushed for 305 yards last week. Fairfield, coming off a narrow 13-6 loss at Littlestown, is looking for an offensive spark.
York Tech (1-5, 0-3) at Littlestown (2-4, 2-1): Spartans RB Anthony Torres leads the York-Adams League with 176 carries and 1,036 rushing yards. But York Tech has struggled to convert yards into points all season, finishing in last place after a 21-20 loss to Biglerville. The Thunderbolts have looked impressive in divisional play and will look to QB Alex Popoff to keep things going.
NO DIVISION
West York (1-5) at Southwest (4-2): The Bulldogs won’t have it easy after seeing a 13-0 lead evaporate in the final minutes at Eastern York last weekend. Now they have a road trip to Hanover, where the Mustangs are coming off a 20-0 shutout of Red Lion. South Western (2-1 DI) has allowed a league-low 12.2 points per game, while West York (1-2 D-II) is averaging just 18 and has scored a combined 20 in their last two outings.