HERSHEY (10-1) at COCALICO (7-6) 4:00PM
- As far as Mid Penn went Hershey looked unbeatable. An out of conference test against Wilson showed that they, and the area, may have a long way to go for a district title or state championship run. Out scored 12-4 it was a situation Coach Schein's players had not seen anything close to in some time.
Hershey is a good team bordering on one of the better teams we have ever seen in this area. The Trojans will need to show that they are able to overcome adversity and improve because of it. Jake Wilson, Logan Calhoun, and George Briggs will look to immediately get back in rhythm and extend their combined 93 goals on the year. Cocalico could be in for a long day as this is most likely a highly motivated, and some what angry, Hershey club.
CUMBERLAND VALLEY (7-6) at CENTRAL DAUPHIN (5-4) 4:15PM
- Two of the area's largest programs square off this afternoon. Both programs have experienced success in the recent pass and neither wants to be moving in the wrong direction this late in the season. The Mid Penn title may be out of reach but district playoff births, CV (16) and CD (19), are squarely on the line today.
The Eagles saw their four game winning streak end with two difficult out of conference losses but are a much improved team since their shaky start. Nick Zumbrum, Tommy Lehman, and Logan Fazakerly are showing they can score with the best of the Mid Penn. The Rams will be bringing a three game win streak into this one that has seen them out score their opponents 36-13 in that stretch. Their defense seems to have regained some of that form we saw in 2012 and Coach Driscoll's offense is pulling things together nicely as the season has gone on. Look for Eli Hudson, Colton Nye, and Nate Beard to be involved in both scoring and distribution.
LOWER DAUPHIN (5-6) at CD EAST (0-10) 4:15PM
- After a 2-6 start the Falcons have come storming back to win three straight have an excellent chance to get to 6-6 tonight. This has really been a tail of two different squads for LD this season. In their first five games they were out scored 31-67, since then they have outscored their opponents 54-23. Remarkable turn around on both sides of the ball. Look for Mike Mattis and his sharp outside shot to have a big afternoon today.
For the Panthers their best shot at a win this season may come on Thursday at McDevitt and in all likelihood won't happen tonight. We aren't saying it's impossible, but this is a young team that needs to develop fundamentals and players more than it should be focused on wins and losses. With good coaching and determined players East can turn this around over time.
MECHANICSBURG (2-7) at NORTHEN YORK (3-6) 6:00PM
- The Brisbane Cup game has perhaps never taken on more significance than it will tonight at Northern York. Scott Brisbane founded the Wolfpack Lacrosse Club which has been a staple of Dillsburg and Mechanicsburg youth lacrosse for a number of years. He was instrumental in growing the game in the greater Harrisburg area and coached both the Northern York Lacrosse Club and Northern York High School lacrosse during their initial years. Coach Brisbane is now in his first season as Head Coach at Mechanicsburg and looks to reclaim the cup that bears his name from a Northern squad that has held it 4 of the last 5 seasons.
If you are on twitter than you know records and post season status matter little to the players in this game. Many of these players grew up playing with one another on the same teams and are eager to get out on the field tonight. This unique scenario will only exists for a few more seasons as Mechanicsburg has now started their own youth program.
Both teams have faced challenges in the net this year playing a few different goalies. Offensively we expect Aaron Heisey and Eddie Martin to continue to be involved for the Wildcats offense but are keeping an eye on sophomore Sam Shipman as he is developing nicely as the season goes on. The Polar Bears have an excellent one-two combo in Derek Myer and Sam Haak. Andrew Sade and Zach Martich are also threats but need to increase their production.
BISHOP MCDEVITT (2-8) at CHAMBERSBURG (3-5) 7:00PM
- McDevitt will need to bounce back quickly from yesterdays come from behind loss to LCD and prepare for what looks like a hard to figure Chambersburg team. The Trojans have now lost for straight by a total of 27-44 but their early season win over 2nd place Commonwealth team State College still lingers in our mind.
Coach Flohr has leaned heavily on Nick Lombardozi (21 goals) and Jake Pierson (19 goals) but a third scorer in JT Hopple (14 goals) has risen from the ranks and hopefully provides them with a new dimension.
Coach Walter will look to continue the Crusaders new found scoring pace of 41 goals in four games with Nick Suknaic and the Hanes brothers (Jackson and Griffin).
STATE COLLEGE (7-4) at TRINITY (9-2) 7:00PM
- This time last week the Shamrocks were 9-0 and in sole possession of second place in the commonwealth division. They were also eyeing a possible Mid Penn title with games against Hershey and Carlisle. That all changed with back to back losses and now they find themselves a half game behind State College for second place. Trinity currently sits at #7 in district III playoff rankings so they still have a ton to play for.
The Little Lions also have a shot at quite a bit including the Mid Penn title game. A lot would need to happen but an opportunity exists none the less which is saying something at this point in the season. In order for any of that to occur they would need to win today at Trinity then win at home on 5/01 against Carlisle. On that same note a Trinity win today and State College win against Carlisle would open some things back up for the Shamrocks.
Look for Trinity to continue to get a lot of scorers involved. Kyle Scott, Mitch Kleist, and Jesse Altmeyer have found a rhythm together on attack and when they are in sync they are difficult to stop. The best scoring threats from the midfield continue to be CJ Sherlock and Connor Bailey and there are some younger players Coach Heisey will be looking to have step up. A stout defensive unit looks to continue to play well behind seniors Tim Hickey and John Behnke.
State College will need their leading scorer Luc Michael (23 goals) and Brady Franks (27 goals) to continue to play well but most likely will need other scoring options to get involved. Their third leading scorer is Sam Schwab with 9 goals and after that it's 5 or less. This shows a vulnerability to their offense. Shutdown Franks and Michaels and they will have trouble finding the back of the net.
No comments:
Post a Comment