Each week Mr. PA Football brings you a preview of the top high school football action in Pennsylvania. The regular season is now over and now it is time for the postseason where the stakes are at the highest. Here’s what you need to know about the biggest round 2 playoff games this weekend, including Mechanicsburg at #6 Bishop McDevitt.
Mechanicsburg (10-1) @ #6 Bishop McDevitt (8-2) 07:00 PM District-3 Class 5A Quarterfinal
Saturday 1:00 PM, District-12 PCL Class 6A Finals
A fantastic match-up in the District-3 Class 5A Quarterfinal playoffs on Friday night and probably one of the Games of the Week across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This contest is really intriguing and a rematch of last year’s District-3 Semifinal that the Crusaders prevailed over the Wildcats in a tough battle by 26-14 margin.
Mechanicsburg (10-1) is listed as a Team to Watch and Bishop McDevitt (8-2) is #18 in our Power 20 Rankings for Week 11. The Wildcats defeated Red Land 35-21 last Friday night and the Crusaders were off last week after earning the No. 3 seed and received a bye.
Bishop McDevitt has won eight straight games so they enter this game red-hot and Mechanicsburg has been dominant on defense shutting out three opponents this season.
Mechanicsburg will be motivated to avenge the playoff loss from last year. Bishop McDevitt is set to defend its 2024 Class 5A State Championship so there will be plenty of incentive on Friday night.
- Rocco Ortenzio Stadium on Friday
- Two exceptional coaches face off, Mechanicsburg’s Dave Heckard and Bishop McDevitt’s Jeff Weachter.
Key Players to watch:
Mechanicsburg:
- Senior QB/CB Noah Apple
- Senior WR/SS Jack DeLuca
- Senior WR/CB Alex Pida
- Senior TE/DE Drake Dawson
- Senior OG/DT Collin Stare
- Senior OG/C Jimmy Dewire
- Senior RB Rece Miller
Bishop McDevitt:
- 3-Star Senior RB/LB Nazir Jones-Davis, an Eastern Michigan commit
- 3-Star Senior LB/RB Maurice Barnes, Jr.
- Senior WR/DB Ishmael Palmer
- Senior LB R.J. Duffy
- Junior QB Sebastian Williams
- Junior WR/DB Jontai Quick
- 3-Star Sophomore RB Jerome Larue, Jr.
- Sophomore WR/DB Howard Holton, Jr.
Keys to the game:
Wow, this one should be a real dandy on Friday night!
Again, this clash will be won at the line of scrimmage and will be decided by which team forces the most turnovers and capitalizes on those opportunities. Also, the team that plays sound fundamental football and minimizes costly mistakes will come out on top.
We expect another very close game this week. The Wildcat defense has been suffocating all year long, especially, the front seven. Can the Crusader offensive line get enough push up front and give the quarterback enough time to distribute the football to its playmakers in space? In addition, the team that protects the football and limits turnovers will win this week’s gigantic game. Mechanicsburg hasn’t faced a team with the talent level that Bishop McDevitt will have on the field Friday night this year and we feel that will be the deciding factor in this game. We have the Crusaders over the Wildcats 28-20 in a really tight football game.
Quick Hitters Preview
Big School Class 4A-6A
Council Rock South (10-1) @ Coatesville (9-2) 07:00 PM District-1 Class 6A Quarterfinal
The Golden Hawks have been humming since an early season loss to North Penn and have been victorious for nine straight games. Council Rock South and Head Coach C.J. Szydlik defeated Haverford 27-7 last week and are anticipating another big road win this week. The Red Raiders have got back on track with two straight wins after beating Perkiomen Valley 27-10 last Friday night. Coatesville Head Coach Matt Ortega will have his team prepared to battle at home Friday night.
Souderton Area (9-2) @ North Penn (9-2) 07:00 PM District-1 Class 6A Quarterfinal
The Indians travel to face off against North Penn this weekend after beating Ridley 23-6 last week and have now won three games in a row. The Knights and veteran Head Coach Dick Beck have won six straight games after hammering Boyertown 42-14 last Friday night and expect another huge home victory this week.
Exeter Township (9-2) @ #9 Conestoga Valley (10-0) 07:00 PM District-3 Class 5A Quarterfinal
This playoff game is a rematch. The Buckskins won the first meeting 21-17 in a tight closely contested game. The Eagles dismantled Lower Dauphin 35-0 last week and expect a different outcome this time on Friday night. Conestoga Valley is unbeaten and had a bye week last Friday and is hosting Exeter Township for a second time in three weeks.
Norwin (7-3) @ North Allegheny (7-3) 07:00 PM District-7 Class 6A Semifinal
This playoff game is another rematch. North Allegheny won the first game 20-17 in a close finish. Norwin defeated Mt. Lebanon 14-7 two weeks ago and is playing good football and is confident heading into Friday’s contest. North Allegheny has been reeling and lost to Seneca Valley 21-18 in their last game. The Tigers have been banged up and really needed the extra rest last week. Can veteran Head Coach Art Walker, Jr. rally the Tigers and get a giant home win?
Upper Saint Clair (9-2) @ #8 Woodland Hills (8-2) 07:00 PM District-7 Class 5A Quarterfinal
Upper St. Clair has rebounded well the last couple of weeks and destroyed Plum 46-8 last Friday night. Woodland Hills has been rolling and has won seven straight games and had a bye last week. The Wolverines and Head Coach Brian Tarrant anticipate another home victory this week and want to keep the winning train cruising.
Thomas Jefferson (9-2) @ #9 McKeesport Area (8-3) 07:00 PM District-7 Class 4A Semifinal
This playoff game is another rematch from September which the Jaguars won 16-7, but junior RB Kemon Spell was out injured for that game. Thomas Jefferson has won four games in a row after beating Mars Area 31-14 last Friday and has been led by junior RB/LB Tyler Eber. McKeesport Area has been cooking since 5-star RB phenom Kemon Spell is back healthy and he is a Playoffs Round 1 Player of the Week nominee. The Tigers have won six straight games and crushed Chartiers Valley 44-7 las week.
Bethlehem Liberty (8-3) @ #5 Easton Area (11-0) 07:00 PM District-11 Class 6A Semifinal
This playoff game is another rematch from last month which the Rovers won 23-20 in an evenly matched contest. The Hurricanes and Head Coach Shawn Daignault beat Bethlehem Freedom 26-14 last week and are hoping to pull the big upset this week. Easton Area and Head Coach Matt Senneca defeated Emmaus 28-7 to remain unbeaten last week and expect a second home victory over the Hurricanes on Friday night.
Small School Class 1A-3A
Dunmore (8-3) @ #9 Lakeland (10-1) 07:00 PM District-2 Class 2A Championship
This playoff game is a rematch from September which Lakeland won the first meeting 28-14. The Bucks have won five games in a row and have been clicking after upsetting Riverside 27-7 last week. Chiefs Head Coach David Piwowarczyk and his squad come in expecting another home win after clobbering Holy Redeemer 49-0 last Friday night. Lakeland has won seven straight games entering this contest.
Halifax (8-3) @ Steelton-Highspire (8-2) 07:00 PM District-3 Class 2A Championship
This contest is a rematch from September which the Rollers won easily 44-22. Halifax has won seven straight games after coasting by Lancaster Catholic 35-14 last Friday and is optimistic for Friday night’s rematch. Steel-High Head Coach Andrew Erby and his Rollers trounced Columbia 46-22 last week and have won five straight games. Another Roller victory Friday night would make six straight District-3 titles for Steel-High.
#2 Troy Area (10-1) @ Warrior Run (10-1) 07:00 PM District-4 Class 2A Semifinal
The defending PIAA Class 2A State Champions and Head Coach Jim Smith are smoking hot and have won nine games in a row after smashing Wellsboro 49-8 last week. Warrior Run has won seven straight games after beating South Williamsport 41-7 last Friday night and is confident heading into this week’s humongous home game.
Montgomery (10-1) @ #3 Line Mountain (10-0) 07:00 PM District-4 Class A Championship
The Red Raiders only have one blemish on their record and routed Muncy 33-0 last week. Montgomery is optimistic this week and hopes to play the spoiler role this week at Line Mountain. The undefeated Eagles have been red-hot all season and demolished Susquenita 63-14 two weeks ago. Line Mountain Head Coach Brandon Carson will have his team ready to clash this week after receiving a bye last weekend.
Marion Center (10-1) @ #3 Bishop McCort (11-0) 07:00 PM District-6 Class 2A Semifinal
The Stingers have won two straight entering this contest after beating Cambria Heights 29-22 last Friday night and have recovered nicely after suffering their first defeat three weeks ago. Crushers Head Coach Tom Smith expects another home victory this week after pounding Bald Eagle Area 39-6 last week to remain undefeated.
Central Clarion (7-4) @ #10 Karns City (8-2) 07:00 PM District-9 Class 2A Championship
We have another playoff game rematch here in this contest. Karns City won the first meeting comfortably 35-14. Central Clarion has won five games in a row after whipping Perry Traditional Academy 56-8 last week and expects a different result this time at Karns City on Friday. The Gremlins are humming and have won five straight games. Karns City earned a bye week and didn’t play last Friday, but Head Coach Joe Sherwin envisions another big win over Central Clarion this week.
Fort LeBoeuf (8-3) @ #5 Hickory (9-1) 07:00 PM District-10 Class 3A Semifinal
Bison Head Coach Justin Blose and his troops defeated Corry Area 29-12 last week and have now won five straight games heading into this playoff game. Hickory Head Coach Bill Dungee and his Hornets annihilated Girard 60-0 last Friday night. Hickory has won four games in a row and is counting on another big win on Friday night.
Minersville Area (9-2) @ #6 Williams Valley (10-1) 06:00 PM Saturday District-11 Class 2A Semifinal
This playoff game is a rematch. The Vikings won the first meeting 43-40 in a really tight game. The Battlin’ Miners are firing on all cylinders after beating Pen Argyl 35-27 last Saturday and have won six straight games. Minersville senior QB Dante Carr, a Playoffs Round 1 Player of the Week nominee, is one to keep track of in this playoff game. Williams Valley has been red-hot all season and has won five games in a row after drubbing Executive Education Academy Charter 42-13 last week.
