It’s crunch time in YAIAA football. Here’s what you might have missed.
It’s crunch time in the YAIAA. Some teams took a step forward toward postseason aspirations, while others suffered devastating blows. Here’s what you might have missed.
The skinny: Down 7-2 and with star running back Ammon Robinson held to 25 yards at the half, the Warriors’ chance to score their first YAIAA division title was looking grim. Then the 3rd quarter happened. Robinson exploded for 131 yards and two touchdowns, plus a scoop-and-score fumble recovery on defense. Quarterback Zach Ketterman got in the end zone on a sneak for the Warriors’ final score of the night. The win gives the team their first division championship in 11 years and a chance at a postseason bye in the District 3 Class 4A playoffs.
What’s next? The Warriors will hope to take care of business when they host Greencastle-Antrim.
The skinny: The Fighting Irish were the two-time defending champions of Division III, and it showed on Friday night. In the battle of unbeaten Catholic schools, York Catholic smothered the Delone Catholic offense, forcing five turnovers. The Irish were dominant up front, opening big holes for their runners on offense. Senior running back Cole Witman collected 220 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while quarterbacks Wes Burns and Mitchell Galentine got in the end zone on goal line keepers. Burns also tossed a 9-yard touchdown to tight end Noah Kiel. The Squires’ lone touchdown came on a 6-yard pass from Evan Brady to Logan Brown. The Irish keep their undefeated record and clinch at least a share of the division title for the third straight season, while the Squires fall to 8-1.
What’s next? The Squires still have high hopes for the postseason. Getting a win at home over Hanover next week will help the cause. York Catholic will secure sole possession of the Division III title with a home win vs. York County Tech.
The skinny: In a meaningful matchup for playoff positioning, an Eagles gamble paid off in the fourth quarter. With a one-point lead, the Eagles faked a field goal attempt only for quarterback Chase Dull to find Domenic Florea open for a 13-yard touchdown. The Eagles extended their lead with a 2-yard rushing touchdown from Trace Grim. The Bolts answered with a 40-yard touchdown from Jakob Lane to Jacob Thomas, but the extra point was blocked, putting them down two scores with less than a minute to go. The Bolts recovered an onside kick, but Lane was picked off by Chase McMillan. Dull got two rushing touchdowns in the game. Littlestown’s Brady McClintock caught a touchdown pass from Lane, who also got in the end zone on a quarterback sneak. Both teams now have 6-3 records.
What’s next? Bermudian Springs will go on the road to play Biglerville, while Littlestown hosts Fairfield in their home finale.
The skinny: It hasn’t been an easy season for the Knights, who were on the brink of not fielding a varsity team in the preseason, but Friday’s victory secured them a spot in the Class 1A playoffs. The Knights were dominant on offense, and junior running back Garrett Stadler had a career night with three rushing touchdowns and a 45-yard touchdown reception—all in the first quarter. Ethan Favorite, Peyton Stadler and Chase Lookingbill also scored touchdowns for the Knights. The win was Fairfield’s first at home this season.
What’s next? Fairfield, at 2-6, will go on the road to play Littlestown.
The skinny: Powered by a three-touchdown first half, the Colonials notched their third win of the season. Abdul Janneh and Hunter Kuhn scored two of the Colonials' touchdowns, while Desmond Moore got in the end zone for the Mustangs.
What's next? New Oxford plays Northeastern at home, while South Western will get their last chance at a win this season on the road against Spring Grove.
The skinny: Riverboat Ramos? For the second time this season, after getting a game-tying score off a Cage Althoff touchdown, Canners went for a 2-point conversion rather than kick an extra point to send the game into overtime. In Week 4 against Fairfield, it worked when head coach Alex Ramos took the risk to win the game. On Friday night, with an Althoff rushing attempt, the Canners failed. Hanover quarterback Jeff Jacoby threw for more than 200 yards and three touchdowns. Jacoby connected with receivers Sam Duvall, Josh Postell and Andre Caban for touchdown passes in the first half. The Canners came alive in the second half with two rushing touchdowns from Kalen Sharrah and a pass from Althoff to Russ Zulick. The Nighthawks got the go-ahead touchdown on a rushing score from Caban.
What's next? Hanover, now 3-6, has an away game against Delone Catholic. Biglerville, at 2-7, will host Bermudian Springs.
The skinny: The Rockets have struggled in the first half of games, and this week they gave up 36 points to the Lions. They scored two touchdowns in the second half, including a rushing score for Braden Brandt, but it was too little, too late.
What's next? With one win on the season, Spring Grove will host a winless team in South Western.