L-L League football LIVE CHAT Thursday at 7 p.m.

LANCASTER - The brackets are filled out and the match-ups are set.

The District 3 football playoffs get started this weekend with games set for Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

There are 11 L-L League teams in the field.

Come join me Thursday at 7 p.m. for a LIVE CHAT at PennLive.com about those 11 teams and their first-round match-ups.

I'll take your questions and comments and we'll throw some predictions out there.

Tell a friend and spread the link.

Lancaster Catholic's Roman Clay is up to 5,361 career rushing yards. - (Mark PALCZEWSKI, LLLeagueSports.com)

LANCASTER – Roman Clay has joined a very elite club.

And since Lancaster Catholic will play at least one postseason game, the Crusaders' senior running back has a legit shot of becoming the L-L League's all-time leading rusher.

Including his 209-yard effort in Week 10 last Friday against McCaskey, Clay is up 1,918 rushing yards this season.

He failed to become just the third back in L-L League history to rush for 2,000 yards in the regular season. But he'll join the 2,000-yard club if he rushes for 82 yards on Friday, when Lancaster Catholic hosts Hershey in a first-round District 3 AAA game.

Including his 1,918 yards this season, Clay has 5,361 career rushing yards; he's just the third L-L League back to go over 5,000 career yards.

Clay's 209-yard effort against McCaskey vaulted him into second place on the L-L League's all-time rushing list.

Clay needs 302 yards to become the league's all-time leading rusher.

Here's the list …

Tommy Long, Lebanon Catholic – 5,662 yards
Roman Clay, Lancaster Catholic – 5,361 yards
Austin Hartman, Cocalico – 5,107 yards
Kevin Kelley, Conestoga Valley – 4,991 yards
Jaren Hayes, Cedar Crest – 4,882 yards
Mike Kitchen, Lebanon – 4,366 yards
Mike Madara, Donegal – 4,197 yards
Tab Musser, Cocalico – 4,092 yards

JEFF REINHART: jreinhart@pnco.com
ON TWITTER: @JeffReinhartPN

Manheim Township senior QB Brennan Scott has 6,379 career passing yards.

LANCASTER - Manheim Township senior QB Brennan Scott is already in some pretty elite company when it comes to career passing yards.

And now that the Blue Streaks have clinched a spot in the District 3 AAAA playoffs, he's got a chance to add to his stash - and climb further up the L-L League career passing yards chart.

Earlier ths season, Scott became just the fifth L-L League QB to pass for 6,000 career yards, and heading into Manheim Township's district opener on Friday against Lower Dauphin in Hersheypark Stadium, Scott finds himself at No. 4 on the league's all-time passing yardage chart.

Here's the list ...

Kyle Smith, Lancaster Catholic - 8,545 yards
Pat Bostick, Manheim Township - 7,260 yards
Chad Henne, Wilson - 7,071 yards
Brennan Scott, Manheim Township - 6,379 yards
Ben Myers, Pequea Valley - 6,028 yards

Scott needs 621 yards to hit 7,000, so the deeper the Streaks can go on the postseason, the better his chances to join that club.

JEFF REINHART: jreinhart@pnco.com
ON TWITTER: @JeffReinhartPN 

Donegal grad Mike Sarbaugh will be the Cleveland Indians first-base coach in 2013. - (Columbus Clippers photo)

LANCASTER - Mike Sarbaugh is moving on up.

The Donegal grad, who has spent the last three seasons managing in the Cleveland Indians farm system, was recently added to the team's major league staff.

Sarbaugh will be Cleveland's first-base coach and infielder coach under new manager Terry Francona in 2013.

After his playing days at Donegal, Sarbaugh played baseball for Lamar University in Texas, and he played in the minor leagues for the Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Indians organizations.

Now he'll be coaching at the major league level.

More about Sarbaugh and his new job from the Columbus Dispatch.

JEFF REINHART: jreinhart@pnco.com
ON TWITTER: @JeffReinhartPN 

Hempfield senior Morgan Lowe is one of three L-L League players who earned first-team District 3-AAA All-Star status. - (GetRecruited.com photo)

LANCASTER - Hot off the presses, it's the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association District 3 AAA girls' volleyball All-Star list, with first-team, second-team and third-team selections.

Ten L-L League players made the list, including three first-team performers.

FIRST TEAM
Leah Deter, 5-8 senior opposite hitter, Susquehannock
Kelly Friers, 6-2 junior setter, Cumberland Valley
Bayleigh Hoffman, 5-7 junior setter/outside hitter, Dover
Morgan Lowe, 6-0 senior outside hitter, Hempfield
Karleigh Lutz, 5-10 junior outside hitter, Cumberland Valley
Brittany McMullen, 6-2 senior middle hitter, Hempfield
Shannon Restrepo, 5-11 sophomore setter, Exeter
Hadley Swartz, 5-8 senior outside hitter, Central York
Sarah Wesley, 5-10 sophomore middle hitter, Exeter
Hannah Williams, 5-4 senior libero, Garden Spot

SECOND TEAM
Erin Dobbeck, 5-8 junior center, Central York
Danielle Faust, 5-11 sophomore outside hitter, Exeter
Sidney Gallagher, 5-10 senior middle hitter, Central York
Maddie George, 5-10 junior middle hitter, Garden Spot
Jessie Greenslade, 6-0 senior outside hitter, Penn Manor
Rachel Moltz, 5-7 senior setter, Susquehannock
Maggie O'Hearn, 5-7 senior setter, Hempfield
Lizzy Schultz, 5-10 sophomore outside hitter, Exeter
Elizabeth Scott, 5-11 sophomore outside hitter, Cumberland Valley
Emily Zellers, 5-0 senior libero, Hempfield

THIRD TEAM
Kristen Boyer, 5-10 senior outside hitter, Cocalico
Emily Buckwalter, 5-9 senior outside hitter, Warwick
Becca Flickinger, 5-6 junior libero, Gettysburg
Liama Goodrich, 5-9 senior outside hitter, Daniel Boone
Erin Harman, 5-7 junior outside hitter, South Western
Anna Wenger, 6-0 junior outside hitter, Hempfield
Jada Pickett, 5-8 junior outside hitter, Chambersburg
Liashira Rivera, 5-9 senior middle hitter, Chambersburg
Jessie Wallace, 6-0 junior middle hitter, Wilson
Morgan Herold, 5-7 senior libero, Carlisle

JEFF REINHART: jreinhart@pnco.com
ON TWITTER: @JeffReinhartPN

West Perry quarterback Zach Smith totaled 411 yards of offense and threw six touchdowns to earn Player of the Week honors.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

ZACH SMITH, QB, WEST PERRY 

Buried in a 21-point hole in the fourth quarter, the Mustangs’ leader went off. The senior brought his club all the way back with three touchdown passes in the final 11:33 and also tossed a two-point conversion to Dalton Megonnell with 43 seconds left to force overtime. Smith finished with 411 yards of total offense (361 passing, 50 rushing) and threw six touchdown passes to rally West Perry past Northern 42-35 in overtime. The dramatic victory earned the Mustangs an invitation to the District 3-AAA playoffs.

HONORABLE MENTION ¶

 Tyler Schubert, QB Mechanicsburg; Elijah Locke, RB Northern; Blake Bowman, RB Tri-Valley; Chase Shulda, RB East Pennsboro.

Cumberland Valley's Harry Phillips, pictured scoring earlier this season against Cedar Cliff, has posted two goals against State College. - (SAMUEL GETTY, pennlive.com)

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT

Should Cumberland Valley’s soccer-playing boys have the same bus driver as they did for last November’s state opener, he or she shouldn’t need a refresher on how to locate Central Mountain’s Malinak Stadium in Mill Hall.

Especially since that’s where Matt Billman’s Eagles suffered a season-ending loss to State College (3-3, 5-4 in penalty kicks) last fall and that’s where CV (21-3-0) is once again headed for Tuesday night’s dustup with ... you guessed it, the Little Lions (12-5-2).

The big difference?

CV already owns two victories over their Mid-Penn Commonwealth rivals, having won 3-1 at home and 4-2 in Centre County.

Harry Phillips bagged two of CV’s seven goals in the earlier games, matching State High’s Will Edwards.

BEWARE THE DISTRICT 4 DUDES

Back in state play for the first time since 2006, Trinity (16-4-1) has an intriguing opener awaiting Tuesday night in suburban Williamsport against four-time 4-A champion East Juniata (20-2-0).

While Alan Blackledge’s Shamrocks rely heavily on David Bricker (51p, 22g, 7a) and Nate Gracey (31p, 10g, 11a) for a healthy portion of their attack, balanced EJ has seven players who have pocketed nine goals or more.

Plus, Don Troutman’s Tigers can use athletic 6-5 center backs Spencer Reinford (44p, 17g, 10a) and Bailey Coder (4p, 1g, 2a) to effectively fend off aerial challenges.

Looking for more? Both dropped one-goal losses to Mechanicsburg and both own shutout victories (EJ has two) over Lancaster Country Day.

Hmmm.

LOOKING FOR MORE

Having reached the PIAA Class A tournament for just the second time, Tom Magill’s Greenwood Wildcats (19-2-0) will be trolling for their first state-level win Tueday night at Lower Dauphin against a Benton side (18-3-1) still recovering from Saturday’s 7-0 loss to EJ.

Meanwhile, Greenwood claimed its first 3-A crown on Saturday at Hersheypark Stadium — it was the Perry County school’s first fall District 3 title — with a 3-1 victory over Biglerville.

Look for the likes of Josh Ferguson (112p, 47g, 18a), Jarrett Fortenbaugh (57p, 15g, 27a), Alex Potter (30p, 6g, 18a), Roy Miller (5p, 2g, 1a) and Ryan Kerstetter (8 shutouts) to be heavily involved against the 4-A Tigers, who conceded seven second-half goals against EJ.

ANOTHER FIRST FOR VIKES

In a season flush with firsts — first Schuylkill 2 divisional title, first Schuylkill League playoff crown, first District 11-A championship — Seth Shuey’s Williams Valley Vikings (22-0-0) will take their first dip in the state playoff pool Tuesday night at expansive Scranton Memorial Stadium.

Up first for the explosive Vikings will be unbeaten Mountain View (14-0-0), which is seeking its third straight trip to the PIAA Class A quarterfinals.

While Williams Valley must put a lid on the Eagles’ Colby Thomas — he had three goals in Saturday’s 6-1 romp over Holy Cross in the 2-A final — the Vikes can answer with the prolific one-two of T.J. Leiter (125p, 52g, 21a) and Colin Harrison (90p, 37g, 16a).

Watch it turn out 1-0.
BULLOCK ON TWITTER: @thebullp_n

Four Donegal field hockey players will play at the next level.

LANCASTER - Three L-L League field hockey teams will embark on the PIAA playoffs this week.

Two of them have received plenty of pub here lately.

Penn Manor is the reigning District 3 champ and has a high-octane, high-flying offense, capable of scoring on practically every penalty corner.

The Comets are 23-2 overall and hit States with plenty of momentum; Penn Manor takes on District 1 sixth-place West Chester Henderson in a first-round game on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Hershey High School.

Hempfield was a semifinalist in the Distrtict 3 tourney, finished third overall and is, you'll recall, the reigning PIAA AAA champ, having knocked off rival Warwick in the state title game last fall.

The Black Knights are 18-6 overall and open state play Wednesday at 1 p.m. against District 1 runner-up Unionville at Central Bucks West High School in Doylestown. 

PIAA AAA field hockey bracket.

So it's easy to forget that the third team in is Donegal, the third-place finisher in the District 3 AA tourney. 

Coach Jessica Shellenberger's Indians open PIAA play on Tuesday against District 12 champ Archbishop Carroll at Germantown High School in Philly at 3 p.m.

PIAA AA field hockey bracket.

Donegal (19-4-1) will have four future scholarship players on the field.

* Senior Karlee Farr has committed to Syracuse University, where she'll join fellow L-L League alumnus Jordan Page (Cocalico), Alyssa Manley (Warwick) and Lauren Brooks (Hempfield). Farr is Donegal's leading scorer heading into States with 26 goals and five assists.

PODCAST: Alyssa Manley.

* Senior Kirsten Gochnauer has committed to Penn State, where she'll join several former L-L League standouts, including former Indians' teammate Laura Gebhart, Lancaster Mennonite's Katie Andrews, Penn Manor's Katie Breneman, Elizabethtown's Abby Fuhrman and Warwick's Whitney Reddig. Penn State just won its second Big Ten title in a row. Gochnauer has 10 goals and a team-best eight assists through Districts.

PODCAST: Katie Breneman.

* Senior Sammi Yoder has committed to Bryant University near Providence, Rhode Island. The Bulldogs compete in the Northeast Conference. There are currently no former L-L League players on Bryant's roster. Yoder had one goal scored during the regular season for the Indians.

* Senior Katie Koser has committed to Slippery Rock University, which plays in the PSAC. There are currently no former L-L League players on The Rock's roster. Koser has a goal and four assists so far this season for the Indians.

JEFF REINHART: jreinhart@pnco.com
ON TWITTER: @JeffReinhartPN 

Laura Barnes helped the Eagles to a banner day. - (DAN GLEITER, The Patriot-News)

EAGLES HAVE FLOWN
While 2012 featured a number of impressive performances from district three runners, Cumberland Valley soared over the competition on one spectacular day. Cumberland Valley picked up four district championships in as many hours on October 24. Freshman Mady Clahane won the individual championship, finishing just ahead of fifth place Carol Strock en route to a team championship. Not to be overlooked in the victory was junior Laura Barnes who crossed eighth overall. Senior Rachel Kidd and sophomore Megan Howe helped put the bow on the title by ending up 27th and 28th. Clahane and Strock were no stranger to upper echelon performances as they finished first and second at the Mid-Penn Championships. Eagle triumphs were not limited to the ladies’ half, as the boys squeaked out a thrilling district title. While senior Alec Kunzweiler stole the show by winning the meet, CV’s depth was also key. Sophomore Quinn Wasko, senior Alex Coburn, and junior Kyle Rhode were packed closely together between 31-43. Ryan Kidd crossed 56th to secure the win. While team leaders Kunzweiler and Strock will be lost to graduation, coach Skip Springman’s program is in safe hands.
   
LOST IN THE CROWD
With district three pumping out a pair of AA state champions, Big Spring’s Vinny Todaro and Palmyra’s team title, many standout runners and teams didn’t get the limelight they deserved. James Buchanan’s Liam Corcoran put together a splendid senior year, but couldn’t quite surpass Todaro in the season’s three biggest meets. Corcoran’s finest outing came at the Mid-Penns when he finished with a second-place performance. His 16:13 was just two seconds behind Todaro’s meet best. The Rocket runner also finished third in districts and medaled at states, finishing in 21st. Palmyra’s Calvin Conrad-Kline continually got better throughout the season and shined at the state race with a sterling seventh place finish. Conrad-Kline ran a 16:38 on the grueling Parkview Course. The Cougar senior also finished fifth at districts. Big Spring senior Emily Joyce highlighted her season with a runner-up performance at the district meet. Joyce followed up her strong district meet, by finishing 26th in states; just one spot out of a medal.
   
VERY EARLY PROJECTIONS
2012 offered a glimpse at what is a very bright future in local running. At the top of the list is Clahane, who will surely be competing for a state championship for the next three season. Palmyra sophomores Maria Tukis and Miranda Salvo both showed they are competing with the state’s elite, finishing in the top-ten. Lower Dauphin will trot out a strong lineup again in 2013, led by current juniors Cole Nissley and Jeff Groh. Both are extremely capable of medaling in the state race. Boiling Springs will have an ace to play in Sean Manning. The Bubblers’ ace will be a contender in his senior campaign in 2013.

Gettysburg's Joseph Schmitz, shown earlier in his career, is one of many high school seniors slated to play in Sunday's all-star soccer games at Shippensburg University. - (JOHN C. WHITEHEAD, The Patriot-News)

Sponsored by the Franklin County chapter of PIAA soccer officials, the 32nd edition of the Central Pennsylvania Scholastic Soccer All-Star Games will be held Sunday afternoon at Shippensburg University’s turf-lined David C. See Field.

Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students.

Featuring players from the Mid-Penn Conference and an assortment of public and private schools from the Harrisburg area and points throughout southcentral Pennsylvania, a pair of contests will be held.

Only seniors are eligible to play.

The 2 p.m. game will feature the Black team coached by Boiling Springs’ Matt Brenner against the Red team skippered by Terence Maloney of Bishop McDevitt. At 4, the White coached by Red Land’s Brent Brockman will take on the Blue squad. A Blue coach remains unnamed.

BLACK: Shippensburg — Jon Gerlach, Jordan Howard, Justin Timko; Waynesboro — Jesse Smith, Kris Settlage; Cumberland Valley Christian — Harper Lee, Brendan McHugh; Big Spring — Blaine Ickes, Ryan Foultz, Damian Kingsborough; Boiling Springs — Colin Frownfelter, Ty Martin, Shane Hallett; Bible Baptist — Timmy Pintarich, Evan Bennetch; Milton Hershey — Dru Gibson-Allen; West Perry — Ryan McMillen, Zach Gardner. Coach — Matt Brenner, Boiling Springs.

RED: James Buchanan — Devin Heintzelman, Aubrey Brown; Greencastle-Antrim — Josh Spoonhour, Zach Faulkner; Mercersburg Academy — Luca Alibsetti, Bruno Marangoni; McConnellsburg — Hunter Miller; Shalom Christian — Brandon Crider, Jeffrey McCracken; Fannett-Metal — Jordan Hurrell, Dylan Bradley; Bishop McDevitt — Connor Maloney, John Hare; Susquenita — Collin Wilson; Trinity — Matt Janton, Nathan Gracey, Mark Moore, Chase Katterman. Coach — Terence Maloney, Bishop McDevitt.

BLUE: Chambersburg — Jacob Sempowski, Bryce Stouffer, Nick Shandera; Carlisle — Gabe Stasyszyn, Josh Clippinger, Kevin Key; Cedar Cliff — Alex LaFaver, Thomas Kutz, Shea Cole; Cumberland Valley — Peter Kemery, Max Shedlosky, Spencer Petersheim, A.J. Travis; Gettysburg — Connor Fees, Oscar SanJuan, Joseph Schmitz; CD East — Bryan Egner. Coach — N/A.

WHITE: Central Dauphin — Evan Davis, Colby Brown, Derek Cray; East Pennsboro — Kyle Miller, Noah Andrews; Hershey — John Luderitz, D.J. Pawlush, Liam Hulse; Lower Dauphin — Jeff Light, Fabio Amato, Aaron Kline, Collin Long; Red Land — Ben Kunkel, Ryan Parpagene, Josh Stoner; Susquehanna Twp — Eli Raeker-Jordan, Ethan Debroff. Coach — Brent Brockman, Red Land.

From left, Molly Mariano, Katie Foran and MaryNell Smith all factored in Central Dauphin's scoring against Central Bucks West. - (JOE HERMITT, The Patriot-News)

If Central Dauphin kept knocking on the door, it would eventually open.

The Rams generated 16 corners in the first half of their PIAA Class AAA field hockey first round game with Central Bucks West on Wednesday evening, but were still tied 1-1 at halftime.

So Central Dauphin earned 10 more corners in the second half, and ran away with a 5-1 victory.

In Saturday’s quarterfinals, the Rams (18-5-2) will play Emmaus at Exeter High School at 3 p.m.

Central Dauphin had three different players score goals and four players pick up assists.

“At this level especially, not having to count on just one player is key,” Ram head coach Janelle Burger said. “Anyone is capable of putting it in.”

VIDEO: Janelle Burger on Central Dauphin's many opportunites.

Mary Nell Smith scored twice, and assisted on the go-ahead score 53 seconds into the second half. She set up Gabby Feaser on a corner play for a 2-1 lead.

“After we scored in the first couple of minutes [of the second half], I think it really enlivened us,” Smith said.

Central Dauphin added three more goals before the middle of the half.

Kaite Foran made it 3-1 with an assist from Molly Mariano with 23:13 left in the game.

Smith scored her second goal with a tap in on the left post with 20:11 on the clock. Megan Wenrich assisted.

Feaser closed out the scoring by taking a feed from Foran and making a sweeping shot with 15:11 to go.

“All the District 3 schools that qualified score and pass well,” CB West coach Casey Hughes said.

The Bucks (20-5) were limited to three shots and two corners.

“You can just tell my team is not an experienced playoff team,” Hughes said. “It was a testament for my goalie and defense that at the half they had 16 corners and we only had one goal [allowed] at halftime.”

That first-half score for the Rams came just 1:40 into the contest, when Smith tapped in a ball set in front of the net by Foran.

Although Central Dauphin had many more chances in the first 30 minutes, including a corner with 8:30 left on which both Aggie Sutherland and Mariano were denied by goalie Brea DeAngelis, the Bucks held throughout.

Erick Fiorelli scored CB West’s one goal with 4:08 left in the half with an assist from Virginia Moore.

The first half ended with the Bucks repelling the 16th corner by the Rams, keeping the game tied 1-1.

“We were still confident,” Smith said of the halftime atmosphere. “We just had to finish.”

Central Dauphin finished 13 shots.

Halle Frisco made two saves for the Rams.

DeAngelis had nine saves.

ON TWITTER: @PN_David_Bohr

L-L League girls' soccer all-star games roster.

LANCASTER - Top senior girls' soccer players from the L-L League and the York/Adams League will square off in an All-Star game, set for Sunday at 3 p.m. at Lancaster Mennonite High School.

Could be some late additions or subtractions, but here is the L-L League roster as it stands ...

Katie Buck, Annville-Cleona
Hannah Fox, Annville-Cleona
Nikki Harner, Cedar Crest
Shannon Hoeveler, Cocalico
Kat Lawver, Cocalico
Rebekah Krasinski, Conestoga Valley
Mollie Hoffman, Donegal
Jen McFarland, Donegal
Lizzy Mummau, Donegal
Laura Miller, Ephrata
Madison Walmer, Ephrata
Sheena Zimmerman, Garden Spot
Kendra Delgado, Garden Spot
Alix Jordan, Lampeter-Strasburg
Morgan Grenier, Lampeter-Strasburg
Elizabeth Dudas, Lancaster Catholic
Lydia Peachey, Lancaster Mennonite
Rachel Hoober, Lancaster Mennonite
Kaitlin Sauder, Lancaster Mennonite
Kristin Robeson, Manheim Central
Kelly Rosen, Manheim Township
Britt Thompson, Manheim Township
Taylor Smith, Northern Lebanon
Samantha Wright, Penn Manor
Hannah Bomberger, Warwick
Kristi Spotts, Warwick

JEFF REINHART: jreinhart@pnco.com
ON TWITTER: @JeffReinhartPN 

LANCASTER - The second round of the PIAA fall playoffs are set for Saturday, and six L-L League teams play in state quarterfinal games in three sports.

In girls' volleyball, reigning L-L League champ and District 3 third-place finisher Hempfield topped District 3 runner-up Exeter in a state-opener on Tuesday.

In boys' soccer, reigning L-L League champ and District 3 AA runner-up Lancaster Mennonite topped Philipsburg-Osceola in a state-opener on Tuesday. Also in AA, District 3 third-place finisher Pequea Valley blanked District 11 champ Allentown Central Catholic 2-0 in a state-opener on Tuesday and the Braves are moving on.

And in field hockey, all three L-L League teams still standing through Districts won first-round games: Donegal beat District 12 champ Archbishop Carroll; L-L League and District 3 champ Penn Manor rolled over West Chester Henderson; and Hempfield slipped past Unionville.

Here are Saturday's state quarterfinals games featuring L-L League entrants:

PIAA GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
AAA
Hempfield vs. Mount Lebanon, Saturday, 2 p.m. @ State College
Winner gets: North Allegheny/State College in state semifinals. 

PIAA BOYS' SOCCER TOURNAMENT
AA
Pequea Valley vs. Archbishop Wood/Holy Ghost Prep winner, Saturday, 6 p.m. @ William Tennent in Warminster
Winner gets: Tulpehocken/Lewisburg in state semifinals. 

Lancaster Mennonite vs. Quaker Valley, Saturday, 2 p.m. @ Hollidaysburg
Winner gets: Bedford/Harbor Creek in state semifinals. 

PIAA FIELD HOCKEY TOURNAMENT
AAA
Penn Manor vs. Twin Valley, Saturday, 2 p.m. @ Exeter

Hempfield vs. Wilkes-Barre Coughlin, TBA

* The winner of those games squares off in the state semifinals. 

AA
Donegal vs. Oley Valley, Saturday, 11 a.m. @ Exeter
Winner gets: Wyoming Seminary/Villa Maria in state semfinals. 

JEFF REINHART: jreinhart@pnco.com
ON TWITTER: @JeffReinhartPN 

Hunter Bracale's goal in the second half moved Lower Dauphin to the PIAA Class AAA quarterfinals. - (CHRIS KNIGHT, The Patriot-News)

Lower Dauphin knocked out District 1 champ Central Bucks South 2-1 with a goal by Hunter Bracale 8:39 into the second half of their PIAA Class AAA first round field hockey game.

Devyn Barry assisted on the deciding score.

Delani Higgins tied the score 1-1 for the Falcons (21-3-1) with 4:57 left in the first half with an assist from Morgan Bitting.

Lindsay Cassell and Analisa Scott split duty in the goal cage and made two saves each in the win.

CB South took a 1-0 lead with 10:08 remaining in the first half on Amber Steigerwalt’s goal.

Lower Dauphin will play the winner of Thursday’s game between Cardinal O’Hara and Wissahickon on Saturday at a site and time to be determined. 

Hempfield senior outside hitter Morgan Lowe earned Section 1 MVP honors for the second year in a row. - (CHARLEY LOWE, LLLeagueSports.com)

LANCASTER - Morgan Lowe come on down ... you're a repeat MVP winner in L-L League girls' volleyball circles.

Hempfield's senior outside hitter and Lehigh recruit was named the Section 1 MVP by league coaches for the second year in a row on Wednesday night at the league banquet.

Lowe helped Hempfield win the Section 1 crown and the L-L League championship before the Black Knights fell to eventual champ Cumberland Valley in the District 3 AAA semifinals.

However, Hempfield won a first-round PIAA match vs. Exeter and will play in the state quarterfinals on Saturday vs. Mount Lebanon.

Joining Lowe with MVP honors were Cocalico's Kristen Boyer in Section 2 and Columbia's Jenai Plowden in Section 3.

Hempfield had a league-best four first-team all-star selections, including Lowe. the Knights also had a pair of second-team picks, giving Hempfield six all-stars in all - most in the league.

Youth was served for Elco, which put a freshman (Chandelle Keller) a sophomore (Andrea Harpold) and a junior (Tabby Litschi) on the first team in Section 3.

Here are the L-L League girls' volleyball all-stars ...

SECTION 1
FIRST TEAM
Morgan Lowe, senior, Hempfield
Maggie O'Hearn, senior, Hempfield
Brittany McMullen, senior, Hempfield
Emily Zellers, senior, Hempfield
Jessie Greenslade, senior, Penn Manor
Emily Buckwalter, senior, Warwick
Greta Weidemoyer, senior, Warwick
Abby Wenger, senior, Warwick
SECOND TEAM
Nicole Allen, junior, Conestoga Valley
Eliza Donahue, junior, Hempfield
Anna Wenger, junior, Hempfield
Molly Hendrick, senior, Manheim Township
Kaitlyn Van Tash, junior, Manheim Township
Myranda Kemrer, junior, Penn Manor
Dana Mowbray, senior, Penn Manor
Tristan Booker, junior, Warwick

SECTION 2
FIRST TEAM
Kristen Boyer, senior, Cocalico
Ligia Manguino, senior, Ephrata
Hannah Williams, senior, Garden Spot
Maddy George, junior, Garden Spot
Karly Shultz, junior, Lampeter-Strasburg
Evie Dunagan, sophomore, Manheim Central
Julie Smith, senior, Manheim Central
Kim Findley, senior, Solanco
SECOND TEAM
Chantel Shuman, senior, Cocalico
Dani Shugarts, sophomore, Cocalico
Jordan Brown, sophomore, Elizabethtown
Nicole Saylor, junior, Ephrata
Katelyn Snader, junior, Garden Spot
Maddie Evans, senior, Lampeter-Strasburg
Lauree Wiegand, junior, Manheim Central
Gillian Glackin, senior, Solanco

SECTION 3
FIRST TEAM
Jenna Plastino, senior, Columbia
Jenai Plowden, junior, Columbia
Ashlyn Phillips, senior, Columbia
Chandelle Keller, freshman, Elco
Tabby Litschi, junior, Elco
Andrea Harpold, sophomore, Elco
Monica Beiler, senior, Lancaster Mennonite
Madisyn Kleinfelter, junior, Northern Lebanon
SECOND TEAM
Meckenna Achenbach, junior, Elco
Celeste Shimp, senior, Elco
Katelyn King, senior, Lancaster Mennonite
Madison Brubaker, senior, Lancaster Mennonite
Lacie Mosteller, senior, Lancaster Mennonite
Madison Rakow, sophomore, Lebanon
Kelly Fair, senior, Lebanon
LaClaria Sease, senior, Northern Lebanon

JEFF REINHART: jreinhart@pnco.com
ON TWITTER: @JeffReinhartPN

As a season ticket holder to Hershey Bears games for 23 years and a member of the CPIHL’s executive committee for 13, you could say Dan Keich has expended a lot of his time and money on hockey.

But something had to give. He saw his son Danny through his high school career. His daughter was coming up on her senior year in high school. Time short. Hours long. It was time to get out of helping run the CPIHL, where he was first vice-president.

“This was it,” he remembered thinking to himself. “I was going to walk away. I wasn’t planning on coming back.”

And then the Bears had to go and announce that the 2013 AHL Outdoor Classic was going to be held at Hersheypark Stadium, on Jan. 20.

Oops. Change of plans sharper than a pull-up at the end boards.

When the AHL club made the announcement on March 24, the light bulb went off immediately in Keich’s head. In June, after a couple of stops and starts, it became a reality — the high school league purchased two slots of ice time at the Concrete Palace for its annual all-star team festivities. The CPIHL was going outdoors.

“The first thing that popped into my head when I heard it was ‘how can we get in on that?’,” Keich said. “So right away, I contacted the executive committee, and they got right on the ball. We purchased two ice time slots, and we’re going to have two all-star games that night."

The CPIHL all-stars will play at 7 and 9 p.m. Jan. 23 at Hersheypark Stadium. There is a contingency plan in place in case of inclement weather to move the event to one of the Twin Ponds facilities, but of course the hope is for cold, ideal hockey weather.

It also extended Keich’s involvement with youth hockey. “It was the main reason I came back,” he said. “‘I can’t quit now,’ I told my wife. ‘I’ve got to be a part of that.’”

Now, not only isn’t Keich departing, he’s expected to be named league president at tonight’s board meeting, replacing the retiring Dave Kretzing.

The best news of all for fans is that the event will be free. No admission. Anyone who wants to come check out the top high school hockey players in the midstate can do so without denting the wallet. But be sure to budget for coffee and hot chocolate.

“We want to have any many people as we can to be able to come out and enjoy the game,” Keich said. “And that lends to a good experience for the kids.”

The league is changing the format, akin to what the NHL does now for its all-star game. The CPIHL will hold a player draft for the games, tentatively scheduled for Dec. 30 at the Hershey VFW. Players from all three tiers will be eligible to be drafted, fantasy-style, leading with the coaches from the four teams making the initial pick. So it is more than likely you’ll have high school teammates squaring off against each other when the curtain drops Jan. 23.

“There are kids from all three tiers who would like to play with kids from other tiers,” Keich said.

As a tie-in with the Hershey Bears, former stars Mitch Lamoureux and Frederic Cassivi will be named honorary coaches, with two more to be announced. Game coaches will be the quartet who led their teams to the finals in Tiers I and II last year — Jarrod Hill (Hershey), Mike Lombardi (Cumberland Valley and out of retirement), Chuck Warner (West York) and Steve Hallman (Red Land).

From the go, the idea was to give the players the opportunity to line up for quite possibly a once-in-a-lifetime thrill.

“We’re trying to make it as a big a deal as we can for the kids,” Keich said. “It’s a unique situation in Hershey, in that it really could be this once-in-a-lifetime thing. How many outdoor games have been played, ever, at all levels?”

JEFF DEWEES: jdewees@pnco.com

TWITTER: @pn_jdewees

Hershey's Luc Devorski, celebrates with teammate Richie McCartney, after beating Cumberland Valley 6-5, to win the Bears Cup Championships at Hersheypark Arena Friday March 9, 2012. File photo,CHRIS KNIGHT, The Patriot-News

DON’T BE SURPRISED IF ...

1. ... The Mechanicsburg Wildcats make a lot of noise in Tier I Led by Jon Fuhrman and the talented Eisenhower boys — senior Joel in net and sophomore sniper Sam on the wing — the Wildcats have enough fuel to make a run at the likes of Hershey, Cumberland Valley and Central York. Can they keep the tanks full? As always, a smaller squad size will be a concern.

2. ... Hershey wins a lot of low-scoring games The Trojans nipped Cumberland Valley for the Bears Cup last March, featuring freshman sniper Richie McCartney in the lead role. McCartney has moved on to travel team hockey, but the Trojans are solid with senior goalie Mark Croxall in net. Croxall posted a 2.67 GAA in part-time duty last season, and replaces the graduated Gage Cvijic between the pipes this year. On a side note, the champs have moved their home games to Klick-Lewis Arena in Palmyra, far closer than the ride to Twin Ponds East of years past.

3. ... Cumberland Valley keeps it rolling An erratic regular season was followed by a stirring run to the Bears Cup final, giving outgoing coach Mike Lombardi his first, and only, shot at the Cup. Doug Enck has replaced Lombardi behind the bench and inherits what may be the deepest and most balanced in the CPIHL. Led by Tristan Enck, Tyler Gilbert, Joey Capuano and Collin Bradley, the Eagles will score and play sound positional hockey.

4. ... Red Land’s Brett Gummo wrecks the record books before he’s done The junior sniper potted 43 goals as a sophomore, giving him 74 halfway through his high school career. He should only continue to trend upwards. The Patriots would love nothing more than to ride Gummo’s hot hand to another Viola Cup appearance.

5. ... The Outdoor Classic raises the CPIHL’s profile to an all-time high Bravo. What a great move for the CPIHL. Scholastic hockey’s non-PIAA status hurts it recognition in some corners, but it’ll be hard to ignore this one. Three nights after the AHL’s Hershey Bears play, the CPIHL hits the outdoor ice at Hersheypark Stadium the night of Jan. 23 for its pair of all-star games. Best part? Free admission.

JEFF DEWEES: jdewees@pnco.com

TWITTER: @pn_jdewees

File photo: Cumberland Valley's Tristan Enck celebrates his third period goal in a 6-0 win over Lower Dauphin at Twin Ponds East.. 01/16/2012 DAN GLEITER, The Patriot-News

2012-13 CPIHL Players To Watch

Tristan Enck, F, Cumberland Valley, Jr.

Joey Capuano, F, Cumberland Valley, Sr.

Tyler Gilbert, F, Cumberland Valley, Sr.

Luc Devorski, F, Hershey, Sr.

Nick Shenberger, F, Hershey, Jr.

Zach Brandeburg, F, Hershey, So.

David John, F, Lower Dauphin, Sr.

David Bramley, D, Lower Dauphin, Sr.

Brett Gummo, F, Red Land, Jr.

Cody Brightbill, F, Annville-Cleona, Sr.

Andrew Jocham, D, Annville-Clenoa, Sr.

Jon Fuhrman, F, Mechanicsburg, Sr.

Joel Eisenhower, G, Mechanicsburg, Sr.

Sam Eisenhower, F, Mechanicsburg, So.

Stehl Taylor, F, Central York, Sr.

Jacob Mitchell, F, Dallastown, Sr.

Devyn Tankesley, F, Hempfield, Sr.

Austin Patton, F, Central Dauphin, Sr.

Tyler Gettel, D/F, West York, Sr.

Alex Daley, F, Palmyra, Sr.

Alex Mahajan, F, Manheim Twp, Sr.

Nick Wagner, F, Carlisle/Cedar Cliff, Sr.

Sam Buran, F, Carlisle/Cedar Cliff, Sr.

Justin Temple, F, Middletown/CD East, Jr.

Jared Locke, G, Northern/Shamrocks, Sr.

JEFF DEWEES: jdewees@pnco.com

TWITTER: @ pn_jdewees

5 DATES TO REMEMBER

Dec. 30, 2012: All-star player draft, at Hershey VFW (date tentative)

Jan. 23, 2013: Outdoor all-star games at Hersheypark Stadium, 7 and 9 p.m.

Feb. 6: End of regular season

Feb. 8: Start of playoffs

March 1: Championship Night at Hersheypark Arena (times TBA)

JEFF DEWEES: jdewees@pnco.com

TWITTER: @pn_jdewees

WHERE: 7 p.m. Friday, Eagle Stadium
RECORDS: District 3-AAA: No. 12 West Perry 8-2; No. 5 Cocalico 9-1.

» See complete District 3 football brackets
THE MUSTANGS: Do they have any juice left following that wild comeback victory over Northern last week? Geez! We know the crafty combination of QB Zach Smith (13) and WRs Chase May (14), Keeghan Morrison (15) and Nate Sites (84) will be ready, but there’s still the matter of defending Cocalico’s earth-moving O. If the Mustangs can build that wall, their first district triumph since 1999 could happen.
THE EAGLES: Offer plenty to worry about, that confidence-building 7-game winning streak for starters. There’s also a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in Spencer Moser (2) and Nick Reitenbach (32) to tangle with. And, let’s not forget a defense, paced by Dalton Kern (26) and Jhett Janis (3), that’s allowed a mere 121 points all year. OK, so the soaring Eagles don’t pitch it much, but those RBs have shared 30 TDs.
   
EPLER SAYS: You have to worry more about West Perry’s ability to slow down Cocalico (-23) than the Eagles task of hemming in Smith. You follow me?