Four Downs: 4 big takes from Week 9
Four biggest takeaways from Week 9 of the 2022 high school football season:
1ST DOWN
Schuylkill Valley reminded us what a critical part emotions play in high school football.
Seven days after one of the biggest games in program history — a win at Hamburg in the Frost Bowl — and a week ahead of a Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 5 championship game the Panthers fell in a classic “trap” game. They lost 42-10 to Annville-Cleona. On Homecoming.
It’s not all lost. If the Panthers beat Lancaster Catholic Friday in Leesport they’ll have a share of the Section 5 title — their first championship of any kind in 50 seasons of football.
2ND DOWN
As expected Exeter and Manheim Central will meet in a season final to decide the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 2 championship.
Both teams have been as good as advertised in the preseason — better, actually.
The Eagles, looking for the fourth perfect season in program history, are averaging 42.5 points and winning by an average of 31.9 points. They’re ranked No. 2 in the state in Class 5A.
The Barons, also unbeaten, are averaging 55.6 points — second-most in the state — and winning by 43.4 points. They’re ranked No. 6 in the state in Class 4A.
As if this game needed any more juice there’s last year’s meeting in a District 3 quarterfinal, one which saw the Eagles race to a 36-0 halftime lead — at Manheim. Believe it, that one hasn’t been forgotten in the Barons’ locker room.
3RD DOWN
Two of Berks’ most dominant programs of the past decade are out of the playoffs and will finis with losing records.
One year after a perfect regular season, much of it spent ranked No. 1 in the state, Gov. Mifflin fell to 3-6 Friday with a loss to Manheim Central. The Mustangs’ impressive streak of 18 straight winning seasons is over.
Berks Catholic fell to 3-6 with a loss to Cocalico. This will be the first losing season in the Saints’ 12-year history. They’re just three years removed from an incredible streak which saw them play for a District 3 championship six straight years. No other Berks team has ever done that.
4TH DOWN
This has been a season for the underdogs, with several long-struggling programs taking significant strides forward.
If Kutztown beats Pequea Valley Friday it’ll double its win total of last year and win four times in a season for just the second time in 13 years. The Cougars have two league wins, which is two more than they had over the last 12 years — combined.
If Hamburg beats Columbia Friday it’ll have eight wins in a season for the first time in 16 years and just the fourth time in the program’s 54 seasons. The Hawks will have 15 wins over a two-year span for just the second time.
Twin Valley has clinched consecutive trips to the district playoffs for the first time in the program’s 27 seasons. A win Friday over Hatboro-Horshmam will give the Raiders consecutive winning seasons for the first time.
Schuylkill Valley remains on course for a share of the Section 5 title and can set a program record for wins.
After winning just one game over the past two seasons combined, Reading High has won twice. Same goes for Muhlenberg, which has matched its combined win total of the last four seasons by winning twice.
