Central Dauphin's Aggie Sutherland gets by Big Spring's Gabrielle Gutshall. - (JOHN C. WHITEHEAD, The Patriot-News)

Central Dauphin had two quick scoring spurts in the first half to take a 5-0 lead at intermission and go on to a 6-0 victory over Big Springs.

Gabby Feaser and Megan Wenrich scored 3:23 apart in the early stages of the half to put the Rams (14-3-2) up 2-0.

Then Aggie Sutherland, MaryNell Smith and Katie Foran all scored in the last 1:08 of the half to seal the win.

Feaser added another goal in the second half. Molly Mariano had three assists and Foran had one.

Halle Frisco made three saves in the first 50 minutes of the game. Her substitute Meagan Houser made two stops in the last 10 minutes.

Lydia George had 19 saves for the Bulldogs (16-2). 

Hempfield Black Knights

LANCASTER - There will be a new L-L League field hockey champion this fall.

Warwick, which has worn the crown the last year, was eliminated in a rematch of last year's final on Tuesday when the Warriors dropped a 3-1 decision to Penn Manor.

Up next for the Comets: Section 1 foe Hempfield, which slipped past Donegal 3-1 on Tuesday.

The L-L League championship game - Penn Manor vs. Hempfield - is set for Thursday at 7 p.m. at Manheim Township.

Planning a live online chat from that game. Stay tuned for details.

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

L-L League boys' soccer playoffs

LANCASTER - The L-L League boys' soccer playoffs kicked off Tuesday night, and all four first-round games ended in shutout victories.

Pequea Valley blanked Penn Manor 2-0.

Conestoga Valley blanked Garden Spot 2-0.

Hempfield blanked Manheim Central 2-0.

Lancaster Mennonite blanked Ephrata 1-0.

So Thursday's semifinals are set ...

Conestoga Valley vs. Pequea Valley @ Comet Field, Millersville, 5 p.m.

Hempfield vs. Lancaster Mennonite @ Comet Field, Millersville, 7 p.m.

The boys/girls finals will be contested as a double-header on Saturday. If there are homecoming conflicts, the games will be played in the afternoon. If not, the girls game is at 5 and the guys game follows at 7 at Manheim Central.

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

Penn Manor junior Greta Lindsley set the course record with an 18:30 on Tuesday. - (JEFF REINHART, PennLive.com L-L League Blogger)

EPHRATA - Annville-Cleona's Shawn Wolfe and Penn Manor's Greta Lindsley won individual crowns and Penn Manor (boys) and Hempfield (girls) claimed team titles in the L-L League cross country finals on Tuesday at Ephrata Middle School.

Here are the top 25 finishers in each race, plus the team results ...

L-L LEAGUE GIRLS
Greta Lindsley, Penn Manor - 18:30 (course record)
Emily McBride, Manheim Township - 19:45
Shannon Cruz, Lancaster Catholic - 19:50
Kim Campbell, Hempfield - 19:52
Maryn Bernhardt, Manheim Township - 19:55
Mackenzie Shiner, Cedar Crest - 19:56
Chloe Mattilio, Lancaster Mennonite - 19:56
Danae Peters, Manheim Central - 19:59
Courtney Keen, Garden Spot - 20:01
Brianna Thomas, Hempfield - 20:04
Alicia Dillman, Conestoga Valley - 20:07
Joslyn Sellers, Lampeter-Strasburg - 20:08
Samantha Stoner, Donegal - 20:11
Rosemary Tuzzino, Lancaster Catholic - 20:12
Jordan Carvell, Ephrata - 20:13
Katie Ross, Garden Spot - 20:17
Amanda Graber, Warwick - 20:24
Molly Conrad, Hempfield - 20:24
Vanessa Hurst, Ephrata - 20:26
Martha Boben, McCaskey - 20:29
Esi Glah-Fisher, Solanco - 20:31
Kelsey Gerhart, Garden Spot - 20:37
Jillian Eberly, Solanco - 20:42
Emily Cameron, Warwick - 20:43
Rachel Cairns, Solanco - 20:44
Maris Kurcina, Hempfield - 20:48

* Just nine of the 25 finishers are seniors, so the future is bright for the current crop of L-L League girls' runners. Of the 16 non-senior finishers in the top 25, eight - Bernhardt, Shiner, Stoner, Tuzzino, Carvell, Ross, Conrad and Glah-Fisher - are freshman. And don't forget: Lindsley, the three-time reigning champ, is a junior, so she'll have one more go-round against L-L League competition next fall.

L-L LEAGUE BOYS
Shawn Wolfe, Annville-Cleona - 16:22
Harrison Schettler, Penn Manor - 16:36
Jon Bitner, Penn Manor - 16:47
James Martin, Garden Spot - 16:47
Dalton Trump, McCaskey - 16:52
Travis Wells, Penn Manor - 16:57
Michael Urban, Warwick - 17:03
Mark Bachman, Annville-Cleona - 17:03
Ben Mueller, Warwick - 17:04
Connor Zimmerman, Manheim Township - 17:11
Chad Bomgardner, Cedar Crest - 17:12
Willy Bragg, Cedar Crest - 17:12
Jarrod Cruise, Cedar Crest - 17:15
Andrew Birk, Hempfield - 17:16
Tommy Athey, Hempfield - 17:16
Matt Lefever, Warwick - 17:17
Austin Smith, Garden Spot - 17:17
Noah Brady, Solanco - 17:17
Justin Yurchak, Hempfield - 17:19
Brian Delany, Manheim Township - 17:20
Sam Wolde, Ephrata - 17:20
Gabe Imhof, Lancaster Mennonite - 17:22
Joe Long, Lampeter-Strasburg - 17:23
Ben Mason, Annville-Cleona - 17:23
Joey White, Hempfield - 17:25

* Just the opposite with the boys, with just three freshmen - Yurchack, Delany and White - among the top 25. And those three finished 19, 20 and 25, respectively. So an upperclass-dominated pack this fall, with 14 seniors in the bunch, including the top six finishers and nine of the top 10. The league will definitely have a new look next fall.

L-L LEAGUE GIRLS TEAM
Hempfield - 96
Garden Spot - 103
Ephrata - 131
Solanco - 132
Warwick - 166
Manheim Township - 202
Cedar Crest - 209
Elizabethtown - 244
Lampeter-Strasburg - 246
McCaskey - 248
Lancaster Catholic - 249
Conestoga Valley - 310
Donegal - 318
Penn Manor - 345
Cocalico - 374
Manheim Central - 382
Annville-Cleona - 421
Elco - 470

L-L LEAGUE BOYS TEAM
Penn Manor - 69
Hempfield - 100
Warwick - 104
Cedar Crest - 110
Garden Spot - 136
Annville-Cleona - 154
Manheim Township - 179
McCaskey - 193
Manheim Central - 217
Solanco - 267
Lancaster Mennonite - 286
Lampeter-Strasburg - 324
Ephrata - 341
Conestoga Valley - 367
Lacaster Catholic - 448
Elizabethtown - 478
Northern Lebanon - 558
Lebanon - 558
Donegal - 561
Cocalico - 605

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

Commonwealth: Bryce Watts’ goal just 34 seconds into the game lifted Red Land over Carlisle 1-0. Jessica Kuhn piled up 10 saves in a losing effort for the Thundering Herd. ... Ann Long, Haley Burkholder and Ashley Weaver found the back of the net in Central Dauphin’s 3-0 win at Mifflin County. ... Taylor Sneidman grabbed two goals and set up a third as Cumberland Valley cracked Chambersburg 8-0. ... Haley Crawford’s first-half score was the difference as State College held off Cedar Cliff 1-0.

Keystone: Shannon Mulvey and Courtney Stough netted one goal apiece — Riley Curtin set up both scores — as Hershey blanked Palmyra 2-0. ... Ally Schwing pocketed a pair of finishes as Lower Dauphin stopped Susquehanna Twp. 5-0. Susquehanna keeper Erica Jensen finished with nine saves. ... Nicole Coons scored twice and Lindsay Humes tacked on another finish as Mechanicsburg defeated Middletown 3-0.

Capital: Erica Hile and Caitlyn Lavenberg bagged two goals apiece as West Perry turned back Susquenita 5-2. Alex Schardt recorded both scores for the Blackhawks. ... Kyra Van Kirk, Taylor Sheibley, Shannon Ford and Hope Jacobs booked finishes as Northern popped East Pennsboro 4-0.

Colonial: Rochelle Timmons rolled in three finishes as James Buchanan chilled Big Spring 5-0. Nickole Burnett tried to keep the Bulldogs close, stopping 12 JB shots.

Hannah Fry notched 16 kills to lead Trinity past Steel-High in Mid-Penn Colonial girls' volleyball action. - (CHRIS KNIGHT, The Patriot-News)

State College took the floor Tuesday night in Carlisle needing just one more win to wrap up its first ever Mid-Penn Commonwealth girls' volleyball title.

Those title hopes were put on hold after the host Thundering Herd pulled off a 25-17, 17-25, 25-16, 24-26, 15-11 victory.

"All in all, it was our best team effort of the season," Carlisle coach Mike Beachey said.

"Everybody on the team had a hand in this one and our offense was incredible. I think that really helped our chances for districts."

Carlisle (9-6, 9-6) entered this final week of the regular season with 19th best District 3-AAA power ranking. The teams with the 20 best power rankings qualify for the upcoming 3-AAA playoffs.

Ali Harclerode led the Thundering Herd with 49 digs as her team led this one 1-0 and 2-1 before pulling off the 15-11 win in the final set.

The Little Lions (15-1, 14-1), who still lead Cumberland Valley by one game for first place in the Commonwealth, can clinch the division crown with a win Thursday over Chambersburg.

Cumberland Valley (13-2, 13-2), which lost both regular season meetings with State College, can still share the Commonwealth title if it beats CD East on Thursday and State College falls to Chambersburg.

COMMONWEALTH

Rosa Veliky finished with 15 kills, 13 digs and two aces as Central Dauphin downed Red Land in four sets. ... Liashira Rivera totaled seven kills, seven digs and four aces in Chambersburg's straight set win over Mifflin County. ... seniors Tayler Whitman, Becky Conrad, Aleix Farrow and Jess Butts combined for 12 kills to lead Cedar Cliff to a three game sweep of CD East.

COLONIAL

Kassidy Shumaker had eight kills and three aces and Lauren Martin served up seven aces as Hershey upset Palmyra 18-25, 25-19, 19-25, 25-18, 15-7. The loss dropped Palmyra (14-2, 13-2) out of a first place tie with Trinity. Rachel Kline led the Cougars with 13 kills. ... Hannah Fry notched a match high 16 kills as Trinity swept Steel-High and took over sole possession of first place. The Shamrocks can clinch the division with a win Thursday over Harrisburg. ... Lower Dauphin turned back Mechanicsburg in four sets as Annie Goerl had 11 kills, 10 assists and six aces. ... Emily Mattes had 13 kills and six aces, while Jordan Arnold had 24 assists in Middletown's straight set win over Milton Hershey.

CAPITAL

One night after rallying for a five set win over Greencastle-Antrim, Gettysburg outlasted Northern in five sets as Claudia Guise had six kills, 41 assists and five aces. The win pulled Gettysburg into a first place tie with idle Greencastle-Antrim. The Blue Devils play James Buchanan on Thursday, while Gettysburg tangles with West Perry. ... Megan Smith dominated with 17 kills to lead West Perry to a straight set win over James Buchanan. ... Big Spring took down James Buchanan in four sets, while Shippensburg was a straight set winner over Boiling Springs.

Hempfield knocked off top-ranked Bishop Shanahan in a non-league match Tuesday night in Downingtown. - (CHARLEY LOWE, LLLeagueSports.com)

LANCASTER - Hempfield's girls' volleyball team picked up some major momentum on Tuesday night.

The reigning section, league and District 3 AAA champs made the trip to Downingtown to take on the state's top-ranked AAA team, Bishop Shanahan.

After dropping the first game 25-20, Hempfield stormed from behind to win the next three sets - and the match.

The Black Knights took the final three sets 25-22, 25-18 and 25-18.

Hempfield came into the non-league clash ranked No. 3 in AAA in the latest Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association state rankings, behing top-ranked Bishop Shanahan and No. 2 Parkland.

Parkland topped Hempfield in last year's PIAA AAA state championship match.

Against Bishop Shanahan, senior Morgan Lowe and junior Anna Wenger had 14 kills apiece, senior Brittany McMullen had five blocks, senior Emily Zellers had 18 digs, junior Kayla Gromen had four service aces and senior Maggie O'Hearn had 45 assists to pace the Knights.

The L-L League playoffs begin Friday with quarterfinal-round games at the site of the higher seed. Play resumes Monday with the semifinals, followed up with the league title match on Tuesday.

Stay tuned for those brackets.

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

(pennlive.com)

Jenai Plowden and Ashlyn Phillips each had 12 kills to lead Columbia to a 26-24, 25-18, 18-25, 25-13 win over Elco in a Lancaster-Lebanon League Section III title playoff Tuesday at Hempfield High School.

Tabby Litschi led the Raiders 13 kills and three aces, while Celeste Shimp had 12 blocks and Emily Hauck had 15 assists.

LANCASTER-LEBANON

Maddie Rakow had 17 kills to lead Lebanon to a straight set win over Lebanon Catholic in Section III.

SCHUYLKILL

Sam Bertasavage finished with seven kills to lead Pine Grove to a straight set win over Lourdes Regional. The win allowed the Cardinals to clinch a tie for the Division II title. ... Tri-Valley got 25 kills from Taylor Troutman and 18 from Tara Nahodil in a sweep of Millersburg in Division III. ... Ashley Unger notched 10 kills to lead Halifax to a sweep of Upper Dauphin in another Division III contest.

Shawn Wolfe has yet to lose a Lancaster-Lebanon meet this seaon. - (JOHN C. WHITEHEAD/The Patriot-News)

Shawn Wolfe has won every sectional meet this season, but Tuesday night’s victory at the Lancaster-Lebanon league meet was a little extra special.
   
Less than a week after being sent to the hospital due to fainting, likely caused by a viral issue, the Annville-Cleona standout soared across the course at Ephrata Middle School en route to a league championship.
   
“If they would have found something weird with my heart then they probably wouldn’t have let me run, but they did every test they could do in the shortest amount of time possible to get me in this race. I was laying in the hospital and realized leagues was coming up so I thought ‘oh god I better be able to run’,” he said.
   
A casual bystander wouldn't have had an inkling that Wolfe had been through a week of hell. He was his usual dominant self, crushing his foes with a 16:22, finishing fourteen seconds ahead of the second place finisher.
   
“Oh my goodness, probably the biggest thing that comes to mind with Shawn is that he carries such a high respect for other runners,” coach Benjamin Wenger said. “Just about the whole season you spread the love as much as you can, and you’re typically worried about your number one runner as much. Today he was the one I was worried about the most,”
   
A common misconception of cross country is that you step up to the line and run, this is far from the case. Strategy is a very big part of running, particularly in a large race such as the sectional meet.
   
One of Wolfe’s biggest assets is his mental approach to these meets. With his reputation preceding him, the Little Dutchmen senior wanted to quickly remind his opponents of his abilities.
   
“My goal was to get out hard and go through the first mile kind of quick. I wanted to be leading at the second mile and just hang on the last mile,” Wolfe said. “I figured if any of those guys were with me the second mile, anybody had a good shot. I wanted to get in their heads early that they weren’t going to be able to keep up with me,”
   
The truth is, nobody in the Lancaster-Lebanon league has been able to keep up with Wolfe this season.
   
When competing in meets the size of Tuesdays, 168 runners, its natural to be satisfied to finish in the top ten or twenty. When you’re accustomed to victory like Shawn Wolfe is, it’s hard to be pleased with anything else.
   
“I don’t want to be the guy that says second is first loser, because second is a good accomplishment. It feels a lot better to get second. I’d rather take the pain and be first and be happy longer,” he said.
   
While Wolfe took first place, Annville-Cleona wasn’t able to crack the top five in the team standings.
   
Cedar Crest didn’t place a runner in the top ten spots, but still managed to finish fourth overall. The Falcons’ depth was on display, as they took all three spots from 11-13.
   
Juniors Chad Bomgardner, Willy Bragg and Jarrod Cruise crossed the line in order, with Cruise darting around a Hempfield runner to complete the hat trick.
   
“A lot of our guys really did dig down deep to pull themselves up to finish in the mix. Those top three guys battled, they battled every meter of the 5K out there,” coach Brandon Risser said. “I think this could be a stepping stone for next Wednesday (District 3 meet),”
   
On the girls’ side Cedar Crest freshman Mackenzie Shiner, impressed with a sixth place finish. Shiner was one of just two freshman to finish in the top ten, and was a mere second away from cracking the top five.
   
“When I crossed the finish line I didn’t know what my place was until somebody told me. When I found out I was very thrilled. I trained hard for it and I felt very accomplished,” she said.
   
Added Risser: “She has been a pleasure to coach. She works so hard and just approached this race with a good clear, calm mind set. That was a great race,”

Harrisburg has been running away from teams in 2012 - (The Patriot-News file photo)

WHERE: 1 p.m. Saturday, Severance Field

RECORDS: Chambersburg 4-3, 1-3 Commonwealth; Harrisburg 5-2, 3-1.

THE TROJANS: We know this team can score. RB Jamal Pickett (20) has 17 touchdowns and is averaging 8.7 yards a carry. Quarterback Ryan Martin (7) has thrown nine touchdown passes the last five games. This is a defense they haven’t experienced, though. This match-up is all about coach Mark Saunders’ club scoring enough points to keep pace. Tackling in the open field by the defense will set the stage on the other side of the ball.

THE COUGARS: Coming off one of the more physical games you’ll see against Central Dauphin, time to find out how Harrisburg has left in the tank for a hungry and potentially dangerous opponent. QB Kyle Cook (12) was so good last week it was scary. Is the short passing game a meal ticket? RB-LB Robert Martin (2) is getting better each week. Defense essentially gave up one touchdown via a legitimate drive. Never forget how good the secondary is in this match-up.

SHAY SAYS: This Harrisburg (-15) has absorbed two killer losses and still keeps firing. Love that mentality and how funadmentally sound this team plays position-wise.

Penn Manor is the lone undefeated team in District 3 AAAA. - (Mark Palczewski, LLLeagueSports.com)

LANCASTER - Seven weeks down and three to go in the L-L League football regular season.

And with seven weeks down and three to go in the L-L League football regular season, here is my latest Top 10 ...

1. PENN MANOR COMETS (4-0, 7-0)
LAST WEEK: Topped Manheim Township 30-6.
THIS WEEK: Friday @ Warwick, 7 p.m.
NUGGETS: Last remaining District 3 AAAA team, and Comets sit atop the district rankings. ... PM has allowed a league-low 55 points, and is No. 1 in the league in scoring margin (plus-215). ... Comets also have a league-best 165 first downs. ... Favorite PM stat: Comets have turned the ball over just two - two! - times, and plus-15 turnover ratio is tied for best in the league. ... Super efficient QB Adam Sahd: 74-of-102 (73 percent) for 1,039 yards, 9 TD and just 1 pick. ... LB Charles Bell: Team-best 49 solo tackles, 71 total tackles, 3 1/2 sacks and 6 QB hurries. The Lancaster Catholic transfer has been an outstanding addition. ... Wilson next week; can't get caught looking ahead.

2. GARDEN SPOT SPARTANS (3-0, 7-0)
LAST WEEK: Defeated Pius X 35-21 in a non-league game.
THIS WEEK: Friday vs. Northern Lebanon, 7 p.m.
NUGGETS: Humming along at 7-0 and at No. 6 in the District 3 AAA rankings, behind Bishop McDevitt, Red Land, West York, Hershey and Susquehanna Township; Hershey and 'Hanna have two losses apiece. ... League-best 25 takeaways - including league-best 14 intercpetions - and plus-15 turnover ratio is tied with Penn Manor - the league's other undefeated team - for No. 1 in the circuit. ... Dual-threat soph QB Mitch Martin: 55-of-97 (57 percent) for 795 yards, 10 TD and 4 picks, plus 436 keeper yards and 8 TD. ... RB Adam Haas rushed for 106 yards and 3 TD vs. Pius X; he's up to 689 yards and 10 TD in seven games. ... DT Khalil Fox: 44 tackles, 5 1/2 sacks.

3. WILSON BULLDOGS (4-0, 6-1)
LAST WEEK: Clipped Lancaster Catholic 14-7.
THIS WEEK: Friday vs. Manheim Township, 7 p.m.
NUGGETS: Sitting at No. 2 in the District 3 AAAA rankings behind co-Section 1 leader Penn Manor, and the Bulldogs will visit Millersville in Week 9. So plenty still riding. ... Section 1 win streak up to 33 in a row after holding off Catholic in Lancaster last Friday. Two second-half picks and a nifty goal-line stand - stuffing Crusaders' RB Roman Clay twice from 1 in the process - helped Wilson win it. ... The last Section 1 team to beat the Bulldogs? Township, in Week 9 in (gulp) 2007. ... 20 takeaways are third-most in the league, but penalties continue to be a bugaboo; 'Dawgs have 58 flags against - most in the league. ... LB Dominic Moyer has team-best 43 tackles and 4 sacks. ... D has 11 interceptions - 5 by DB Jimmy Brooks, who is also the team's leading rusher with 315 yards and 5 TD. Brooks has also returned 3 punts for touchdowns.

4. COCALICO EAGLES (4-0, 6-1)
LAST WEEK: Squashed Lebanon 49-12.
THIS WEEK: Friday vs. Lampeter-Strasburg, 7 p.m.
LIVE CHAT: PennLive.com, 6:30 p.m.
NUGGETS: Took over sole possession of first place last week when L-S lost to Manheim Central. A win here and the Eagles are in cruise control for the section crown. A loss and we could be looking at a three-way tie come late Friday. ... No. 7 in District 3 AAA rankings, one slot below Garden Spot. ... One of four L-L League teams that has allowed less than 100 points (89) and 108 first downs are tied for third-most in the league. ... Clean: 26 penalties against are second-least in the league. ... As expected, backfield tandem of speedy Spencer Moser (790 yards, 12.0 yards per carry, 9 TD) and thumper Nick Reitenbach (678 yards, 8.0 yards per carry, 10 TD) have been a handful. ... LB Dalton Kern continues to be a terror: 77 tackles, nine stops for losses and 4 forced fumbles.

5. DONEGAL INDIANS (3-1, 6-1)
LAST WEEK: Drubbed Pequea Valley 53-12.
THIS WEEK: Friday @ Schuylkill Valley, 7 p.m.
NUGGETS: Tops in the L-L League - by a wide margin - with 314 points (44.9 points per game). ... Steady stats all around: 106 first downs are fourth-most in the league; 26 penalties are tied for second-least in the leauge; plus-11 turnover ratio (with 19 takeaways) is third-best in the league. ... 11th in latest District 3 AAA rankings. Odd to think these guys could - could - go 9-1 and struggle to get a first-round home game. ... Nice 1-2 back field punch of Kris Trimby (869 yards, 9.5 per carry, 13 TD) and Dylan Maxwell (702 yards, 9.6 per carry, 9 TD) have been a handful. And QB Matt Foltz, in his first full season as the starter, has been efficient: 57-of-88 (65 percent) for 898 yards and 11 TD against just 4 picks. And this isn't a team that throws much. ... LB Michael Houseal has a team-best 49 stops.

6. MANHEIM CENTRAL BARONS (3-1, 5-2)
LAST WEEK: Beat Lampeter-Strasburg 28-7.
THIS WEEK: Friday vs. Ephrata, 7 p.m.
NUGGETS: Nice bounce back win over L-S after D got smacked around in a 48-35 loss to first-place Cocalico. ... Still sitting right on the bubble line at No. 16 in District 3 AAA rankings, so a fast finish would behoove the Barons. ... Chain-movers: 137 first downs are second-most in the league and tops in Section 2. ... QB Colin Fry: 79-of-136 (58 percent) for 1,311 yards, 13 TD and just 4 picks. He's also rushed for 329 yards and 7 TD. ... Fry's favorite target: Sure-handed TE Taylor Geib (31 catches for 575 yards, 18.5 per grab, 7 TD). ... DT Nate Henry has been a stuffer: 50 tackles, 5 1/2 sacks.

7. LANCASTER CATHOLIC CRUSADERS (2-2, 4-3)
LAST WEEK: Lost to Wilson 14-7.
THIS WEEK: Friday @ Hempfield, 7 p.m.
NUGGETS: Sitting at No. 9 in the District 3 AAA rankings which means, right now, no first-round home game. But three weeks to improve on that number. ... 51 penalties are third-most in the league. ... RB Roman Clay: 150 carries for 1,290 yards, 8.6 per tote, 16 TD. ... WR Sean Titus: 33 catches for 610 yards, 18.5 per reception, 6 TD.

8. MANHEIM TOWNSHIP BLUE STREAKS (2-2, 4-3)
LAST WEEK: Fell to Penn Manor 30-6.
THIS WEEK: Friday @ Wilson, 7 p.m.
NUGGETS: Despite three losses (to state-champ Central Dauphin, state-champ Lancaster Catholic and undefeated Penn Manor), sitting at No. 9 in the District 3 AAAA rankings. ... 106 first downs are tied for third-most in the league. ... 462 penalty yards against are most in the league. ... Senior QB Brennan Scott joined the 6,000-yard club last week. He's 99-of-174 (57 percent) for 1,464 yards with 13 TD and 6 picks through seven weeks. His favorite targets continues to be WR Tyler Karpinski (44 catches for 742 yards, 16.9 per grab, 6 TD). ... LB Everett Green: Team-best 53 tackles. ... Looking to recapture the magic vs. Wilson; Streaks were the last Section 1 team to beat the Bulldogs - back in 2007.

9. LAMPETER-STRASBURG PIONEERS (3-1, 4-3)
LAST WEEK: Lost to Manheim Central 28-7.
THIS WEEK: Friday @ Cocalico, 7 p.m.
LIVE CHAT: PennLive.com, 6:30 p.m.
NUGGETS: Offense did not produce a TD in 21-point loss to Manheim Central - the Pioneers' first loss to the Barons since they joined Section 2 two years ago. ... 18 giveaways are tied for second-most in the league. ... On the outside looking in at No. 17 in the District 3 AAA rankings, so a hot finish is a premium if Pioneers are thinking Districts. And they are the reigning AAA runners-up.

10. ELCO RAIDERS (2-2, 4-3)
LAST WEEK: Knocked off rival Northern Lebanon 28-13.
THIS WEEK: Friday vs. Columbia, 7 p.m.
NUGGETS: Raiders have some work to do, sitting at No. 21 in the District 3 AAA rankings; they'll only get A power points for playing Columbia this week. ... Multi-purpose threat Cameron Strause continues to do damage: 915 rushing yards, 9 TD, plus a pick on D. ... LB Adam Shoemaker and DTs Chris Kreider and Schuyler Harting have 3 sacks apiece.

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

LIVE CHAT from Cocalico vs. L-S football

LANCASTER - Big Section 2 showdown Friday night when Lampeter-Strasburg pays a visit to Cocalico.

The Pioneers are the two-time reigning Section 2 champs, but that streak is in serious jeopardy.

Cocalico is alone atop the section at 4-0; L-S and Manheim Central are both 3-1, and the Eagles already beat the Barons this season.
A Cocalico win Friday night, and the Eagles are sitting pretty for the section crown.

An L-S win Friday night, and the section race will get a major facelift.
Come and join me for a LIVE CHAT from the game.

I'll get you updates from the press box and you can hit me up with L-L League and District 3 questions and comments.

We can also chat about other Week 8 games and share scores.
Join me Friday starting at 6:30 p.m. from Cocalico.

Hershey QB Zach Drayer - (The Patriot-News file photo, 2011)

WHERE: 7 p.m. Friday, Hersheypark Stadium

RECORDS: Susquehanna Twp. 5-2, 3-1 Keystone; Hershey 5-2, 2-2.

THE INDIANS: Just might have found a solution to unleash its athletes offensively last week. Used all three quarterbacks in a myriad of formations and packages. Jordan Milberry (8), Jordan Baskerville (16) and Malichi Simpson (13) all took snaps. Crazy, right? It actually looks good. Colby Grant (7) plays football at a speed most of us don’t recognize and Justin Gassert (10) is a defensive beast.

THE TROJANS: We’re about to out Jailen Harmon (25) as a guy you don’t kick the ball near. He’s returned four kickoffs for touchdowns this season. It’s hard to run on the Trojans defensive front led by Penn State recruit Andrew Nelson (59). If nothing else, Hershey is opportunistic and cashes in on mistakes. Force a few more this week and the worm could turn.

SHAY SAYS: It’s going to take more than running the ball for Hershey (+7) to stay in touch with the Indians. Time to try something the Indians haven’t seen.

Cocalico, guided by QB Brock Gosling, will host Lampeter-Strasburg in a key Section 2 game Friday night in Denver. - (Mark Palczewski, LLLeagueSports.com)

LAST WEEK: 9-3.
OVERALL: 72-32.
Have a look at last week's picks.

LANCASTER - If you squint, you can see the finish line.

Three weeks to go in the regular season.

The section races are taking shape.

The race for District 3 power points is heating up.

But more importantly, I'm 29-7 over the last three weeks with my picks.

No seriously. It's all about the section races and the race to the district playoffs.

Plenty of intrigue out there, so buckle up and pay attention. Should be a mighty interesting final three weeks.

Which leads me to the Week 8 L-L League selections.

All games this week are Friday, 7 p.m. kickoffs ...

SECTION 1

Lancaster Catholic @ Hempfield - Crusaders need a snap-back after a gut-punch loss to Wilson. The boys in purple and gold probably don't want this reminder, but they had at least three great scoring chances in the second half vs. the Bulldogs, but couldn't git-r-done. Black Knights, riddled with off-field issues, have lost five in a row after that promising 2-0 start. Like Catholic here. Purple and gold over Black Knights, 34-7.

Manheim Township @ Wilson - Not counting on any "Bulldog Punt" plays in this one, but guessing the Blue Streaks empty out their bag of tricks against the Bulldogs, who are looking to make it 34 Section 1 wins in a row. And with a trip to co-leader Penn Manor looming next week, methinks Wilson won't get caught looking ahead. 'Dawgs tame Streaks, 27-14. I've probably reminded you of this, oh, about a zillion times by now, but the last team to beat Wilson in a Section 1 game: Yep, Township. In 2007.

McCaskey @ Cedar Crest - Red Tornado's Diante Cherry joined the 2,000-yard receiving club last week in McCaskey's win over Warwick. He's now 103 yards shy of snapping Kevin Aguilera's program mark of 2,130 receiving yards. Looks like the Tornado has found its mojo after piling up 42 points against the Warriors. And the vibe is good in Falcons' camp this week as well, after Cedar Crest's 42-9 runaway victory over Hempfield last week. Sensing some points in this one. Decisions, decisions. Tornado stays hot, outlasts Falcons, 38-31.

Penn Manor @ Warwick - Comets are cruising. Warriors are leaking oil. With Wilson coming to Millersville next Friday, Penn Manor can't overlook Warwick. It won't. Comets stay unbeaten, stop Warriors 40-14.

SECTION 2

Conestoga Valley @ Lebanon - Buckskins have found their groove with back-to-back wins. Happier days in Witmer. Cedars are still looking for win No. 1. Not a fun season in Lebanon. Calling three wins in a row for CV. Bucks buck Cedars, 30-14.

Ephrata @ Manheim Central - Mounts are still taking some baby steps under their new regime. Barons are feeling better about things after a grind-it-out defensive effort in win over Lampeter-Strasburg last week. Central also needs wins to secure a spot in Districts. Now there's something you don't hear everyday. Barons are safe here. Central tops Ephrata, 40-7.

Lampeter-Strasburg @ Cocalico - Pioneers' O was bottled up by the Barons in Week 7. They need a kick-start. Eagles are sitting alone atop the Section 2 perch, and a win here puts them in the driver's seat for a solo section crown. L-S would love to throw a monkey wrench into the proceedings, but I think Cocalico buckles up and takes care of business. They can taste it. Eagles fly past Pioneers, 34-14. FYI: Live chat from Denver at PennLive.com on Friday starting at 6:30 p.m. Tell a friend.

Solanco @ Elizabethtown - Didn't see the Golden Mules losing via shutout three times through the first seven weeks. Ouch. Bears are feeling frisky after blanking Ephrata in Week 7. And they'll get some home cooking in this one. Digging E-town here. Bears beat Mules, 34-13.

SECTION 3

Columbia @ Elco - Couple of hot teams here; Crimson Tide will bring a two-game winning streak to Myerstown. And I picked against Columbia in both games, so I don't have many fans on the hill these days. Raiders, meanwhile, got back on track last week with a win over rival Northern Lebanon. Very solid under-the-radar season for Elco. Coin flip kinda pick here. Sorry, Tide fans. Just can't pull the trigger. Then again, you probably like me picking against you. Elco eases past Columbia, 26-20.

Northern Lebanon @ Garden Spot - Couple of teams going in completely different directions in this one. Vikings have lost five in a row after a 2-0 getaway. Spartans are sailing right along at 7-0 and are thinking outright Section 3 championship. Garden Spot will take one big step closer to that goal here. Spartans pick off Vikings, 41-7.

Pequea Valley @ Annville-Cleona - Braves and Little Dutchmen have both had plenty of ups and plenty of downs through seven weeks. Some good. Some bad. Thinking this one will be pretty tight. A-C survives PV, 21-20.

NON-LEAGUE

Donegal @ Schuylkill Valley - Cocalico vs. L-S and Manheim Township vs. Wilson will grab most of the pub this week. But Indians vs. Panthers is definitely a headliner, especially when it comes to the District 3 race. Both teams are 6-1 overall; Donegal is sitting on the 11-line in AAA and SV, which got off to a 5-0 start this season, is No. 4 in AA, so they both need points to secure first-round home dates. Not sure if the Panthers have seen an offense quite like Donegal's, which is averaging 44 power-packed points per game. For that reason, I'm leaning Indians here. Called a 9-1 finish for DOnegal last week, and I'm sticking with it. Indians clip Panthers, 35-20.

Saved "clip" for last for you for the second week in a row. I'm sneaky like that.

One last reminder: LIVE CHAT from Cocalico vs. L-S on Friday, launching at PennLive at 6:30 p.m.

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

Cumberland Valley girls soccer - (CHRIS KNIGHT, The Patriot-News)

MID-PENN GIRLS SOCCER TOURNAMENT
SEMIFINAL

Cumberland Valley (16-1-1) at Greencastle-Antrim (15-2)
Game info: Thursday, at Greencastle-Antrim, 7

What’s at stake: The winner advances to Saturday’s championship game. The loser is eliminated.
How they got here: Cumberland Valley posted a 14-1-1 division record to claim the Commonwealth Division crown. ... Greencastle-Antrim recorded an 11-1 division record to win the Colonial Division.

» Mid-Penn Conference bracket
Key players: Cumberland Valley -- Taylor Sneidman (23g, 9a), Savannah Hall (12g, 19a), Jen Falconer (15g, 9a), Lisa Nanov (7g, 10a), Dani Shambaugh (GK). Greencastle-Antrim -- Sharon Juarez (12g, 11a), Ali Rudy (8g, 2a), Alicia Crider (8g, 1a), Kayleigh Smith (GK).
Notes: Cumberland Valley -- Eagles have outscored their opponents by a 92-10 margin, including 11 shutouts ... Only blemishes on the season are a 1-1 draw with Red Land on Sept. 21 and a 3-2 loss to Cedar Cliff on Oct. 11. ... CV’s trademark win was a 3-2 victory over Peters Twp., the defending PIAA fall champion, on Sept. 29 when the Eagles overcame a 2-0 deficit for victory. ... CV is the defending Mid-Penn, District 3 and PIAA spring champion. Greencastle-Antrim -- Blue Devils have outscored opponents by a 69-23 margin. ... Only losses on the season were a 4-1 setback against Gettysburg on Sept. 5 and a 5-1 loss to Trinity on Oct. 6. ... Biggest wins were season sweeps of divisional opponents Waynesboro and Boiling Springs. ... Greencastle-Antrim has posted seven shutouts this season.

Breakdown: The good news for the Blue Devils is there’s no pressure because they are expected to lose by several goals. The bad news for Greencastle-Antrim is opponent Cumberland Valley. The Eagles bring to the table a razor-sharp offense that has seen 18 different players score goals this season and a defense anchored by a solid keeper in Dani Shambaugh. The Blue Devils have had a fine season and have a great record to show for it, but their schedule hasn’t been as strong as Cumberland Valley’s. Greencastle-Antrim’s only chance to win is if, first of all, it catches a lot of breaks and second of all, if leading scorer Sharon Juarez can find a way to sneak past the Eagles’ defense and get an open shot on goal. The thing is, Cumberland Valley is such a dominant team that the Blue Devils may not even have a shot on goal. If Greencastle-Antrim can stay within three goals of Cumberland Valley, consider it a small victory for the Blue Devils.

Cumberland Valley coach’s comments: Seth Lehman said, “I don’t know anything about them, but we approach every team as just another team. We try to focus on what we can do and now who we’re playing. I put a lot of stock into the Mid-Penn Tournament. (Winning Mid-Penns) was one of our goals at the beginning of the season.”

Greencastle coach’s comments: Greg Cole said, “We’re going to have fun. It’s a film game and we’re going to use this as a training tool. We’re almost honored to be playing a team of that caliber. I’m looking forward to the Mid-Penn game. It’s a great opportunity.”

Prediction: Cumberland Valley 5, Greencastle-Antrim 0.

Lower Dauphin's Taryn Messick - (CHRIS KNIGHT, The Patriot-News, 2011)

MID-PENN GIRLS SOCCER TOURNAMENT
SEMIFINAL

Lower Dauphin (15-2) at Trinity (17-2)

Game info: Thursday, at Trinity’s COBO Field, 7 p.m.

What’s at stake: The winner advances to Saturday’s championship game. The loser is eliminated.

» Mid-Penn Conference bracket
How they got here: Lower Dauphin turned in an 11-1 division record to win the Keystone Division. ... Trinity posted a 10-1 division record to become co-champions of the Capital Division alongside Northern. The Shamrocks then defeated the Polar Bears 2-1 on Wednesday to determine the division’s entry into the Mid-Penn Tournament.
Key players: Lower Dauphin -- Taryn Messick (12g, 11a), Kylen Smith (13g, 8a), Shayna MacFarlane (6g, 5a), Nicole Boyd (GK). Trinity -- Sara Sajer (24g, 3a), Micaela Oliverio (14g, 18a), Mary Durle (10g, 6a), Mary Stephens (GK).
Notes: Lower Dauphin -- Falcons have outscored opponents by a 57-15 margin, including six shutouts. ... Lower Dauphin was denied victory twice this season with a 2-0 loss to Wilson on Sept. 29 and a 2-1 loss to Palmyra on Oct. 15. ... Notable victories for the Falcons include a 2-1 win over Palmyra on Oct. 9 and two wins apiece over Hershey and Mechanicsburg. ... Lower Dauphin comes from a rugged Keystone Division that saw four of the seven teams finish with winning records. Trinity -- Shamrocks have outscored opponents by a 93-8 margin, including 12 shutouts. ... Trinity has fallen twice this season, with a 3-0 loss to Mechanicsburg on Sept. 1 and a 3-2 setback to Northern on Sept. 13. ... Notable victories for the Shamrocks include a 5-1 victory over Colonial Division champion Greencastle-Antrim on Oct. 6 as well as two wins over Northern. ... Trinity enters the Mid-Penn Tournament on a 13-game winning streak.
Breakdown: It’s been quite awhile since Trinity has lost a game and the Shamrocks come into this contest riding a huge wave of confidence. Trinity has claimed more than a few big victories this season, including taking two out of three games from Northern, so the Shamrocks do have some experience against high-quality teams. As for the Falcons, they’ve been playing against top-notch schools all season in the Keystone Division. The teams have a common opponent in Mechanicsburg. Lower Dauphin has beaten the Wildcats twice while the Shamrocks suffered a three-goal loss to Mechanicsburg in the season opener. Still, this game might be closer than many soccer fans think. The Shamrocks are playing with a home-field advantage and have a couple of big scorers in Sara Sajer and Micaela Oliverio. However, this will easily be the toughest game of the season for Trinity. Lower Dauphin has a few scorers in Taryn Messick and Kylen Smith, but overall it’s been a balanced effort with 14 different players finding the back of the net this season. The Falcons have also been stingy on defense, allowing just four opponents to score more than one goal in a game. No team has scored more than two goals on Lower Dauphin. This is an intriguing game and has the potential to be an entertaining one as well.

Lower Dauphin coach’s comments: Nic Amici said, “Trinity has a grass field that’s narrow. (Wednesday’s) practice was on grass so the girls know how it is. ... You can look at the (Mid-Penn Tournament) in a lot of ways. One aspect is you can win and play Saturday and then go to districts on Monday. That’s a real quick turnaround and that’s the downside. The good side is you’ll be playing good teams. I’d anticipate Cumberland Valley winning and if we win this game, that would be a good game to get up to speed and sharpen up. We’ll just take it in stride and see what we have here.”

Trinity coach’s comments: Terry Mull said, “Oh, It’s going to be a big challenge for us. Lower Dauphin’s been doing very well this season. I absolutely don’t (know anything about Lower Dauphin). I think, as always in situations like this, you go back to basics and keep it simple. The girls will be tired (from Wednesday’s game against Northern) so you want it to be as simple as you can make it. I think we have as good of a shot as anybody. If they all come with the right idea and the right frame of mind, either side is open for anybody.”

Prediction: Lower Dauphin 2, Trinity 1.

Elco has two of the top seven rushers in Lebanon County. - (Helmet courtesy of pahelmetproject.com)

FOOTBALL
LEBANON COUNTY
TOP RUSHERS
1. Cameron Strause, Elco, 136 carries, 913 yards, 11 TD
2. Grant Boehler, Cedar Crest, 87 carries, 606 yards, 7 TD
3. Mitch Rodkey, Annville-Cleona, 94 carries, 541 yards, 7 TD
4. Derek DiAngelis, Northern Lebanon, 95 carries, 496 yards, 4 TD
5. Dino Faiola, Palmyra, 79 carries, 422 yards, 3 TD
6. Mark Pyles, Lebanon, 106 carries, 362 yards, 1 TD
7. Adam Shoemaker, Elco, 45 carries, 334 yards, 6 TD

ON TWITTER: @PN_David_Bohr 

Susquenita has been impressive thus far in 2012 - (The Patriot-News file photo)

WHERE: 7 p.m. Friday, Susquenita HS

RECORDS: Milton Hershey 5-2, 3-1 Capital; Susquenita 6-1, 4-0.

THE SPARTANS: Three of the five wins by head coach Jeff Boger’s troops are by seven or fewer points. Run defense did a solid job last week. But it will need to be better this week. Other than Trinity, nobody has had its way with the Spartans’ defense. Not the biggest bunch but gets to the ball. QB Ben Campbell (16) is finding the mark with more consistency. Keep the trend going.

THE BLACKHAWKS: The best Tootsie Roll lollipop is the orange one. That fits the Blackhawks. Is coach Bart Miller’s crew just a flavor-of-the-month or a player? Defense has three shutouts, and only Cedar Cliff has cracked more than two scores in a game. Defense fits the mold of a player. Secondary had its best showing of the year last week against Camp Hill. If Todd Mullen (32) gets 27 or more carries, Susquenita wins.

SHAY SAYS: We keep picking Milton Hershey (+5) to lose and they refuse to play ball. Hawks are rolling to it will take a mistake-free effort to make us wrong yet again.

Trinity is a team to watch - (The Patriot-News file photo)

WHERE: 7 p.m. Friday, COBO Field

RECORDS: Camp Hill 4-3, 2-2 Capital; Trinity 6-1, 4-0.

THE LIONS: Frank Gay’s club is licking its wounds after a 38-0 loss to Susquenita. The Lions were overwhelmed from the opening whistle and managed just 50 yards of offense. Now, they’ll have to get well against the Capital’s other co-leader, Trinity. Camp Hill must find a way to get the run game going with Quinn Frassetta (21) in an effort to keep a tired defense off the field. Quarterback Michael Shuster (12) and wideout DeShawn Williams (18) also need a couple of big hookups.

THE SHAMROCKS: The uncertain status of RB Adam Geiger (22) (ankle) changes the complexion a little for the Shamrocks. But in last week’s 35-14 win over Boiling Springs, Dylan DeFrank (4) and John Miller (5) stepped in to combine for three rushing touchdowns. Tyler Brett (2) added 73 yards on 10 carries, while QB Mike Boguski (7) was an efficient 17-for-28 for 200 yards.

TUSCANO SAYS: Trinity (-21) loses some of its offensive punch if Geiger can’t go. But with Boguski and his capable group of receivers, the Shamrocks should have no problems hanging on to at least a share of first place.

DISTRICT 3 BOYS’ SOCCER TOURNAMENT
CLASS AAA
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Saturday, Oct. 20
20 Elizabethtown (L-L, 9-7-1) at 13 Cocalico (L-L, 11-5-1), noon
19 Carlisle (MPC, 9-8-1) at 14 Garden Spot (L-L, 11-7), 7
18 Lampeter-Strasburg (L-L, 11-7) at 15 South Western (YAIAA, 14-7), 4
17 Red Lion (YAIAA, 10-6-1) at 16 Hershey (MPC, 11-7), 2:45
ROUND OF 16
Tuesday, Oct. 23
Red Lion-Hershey winner at 1 Wilson (Berks, 19-1-1), 7
9 Exeter (Berks, 10-7-2) at 8 Ephrata (L-L, 13-5-1), 7
Elizabethtown-Cocalico winner at 4 Mechanicsburg (MPC, 17-3), 7
12 Hempfield (L-L, 12-7-1) at 5 Cedar Cliff (MPC, 14-4), 7
Lampeter-Strasburg-South Western winner at 2 Cumberland Valley (MPC, 17-2), 7
10 Chambersburg (MPC, 12-6) at 7 Conestoga Valley (L-L, 15-2-2), 3:30
Carlisle-Garden Spot winner at 3 Dallastown (YAIAA, 17-4), 4:30
11 Central York (YAIAA, 14-6) at 6 Lower Dauphin (MPC, 15-4), 7
CLASS AA
ROUND OF 16
Monday, Oct. 22
16 Lancaster Catholic (L-L, 10-8) at 1 Gettysburg (MPC, 15-2), 7
9 Bishop McDevitt (MPC, 12-6) at 8 Greencastle-Antrim (MPC, 13-5), 7
13 Lancaster Mennonite (L-L, 13-7) at 4 Manheim Central (L-L, 13-6), 7
12 Annville-Cleona (L-L, 13-4-1) at 5 Boiling Springs (MPC, 14-3-1), 7
15 Susquehannock (YAIAA, 9-9-1) at 2 York Suburban (YAIAA, 17-1), 7
10 Hamburg (Berks, 14-5) at 7 Tulpehocken (Berks, 15-6), 7
14 West Perry (MPC, 12-6) at 3 Pequea Valley (L-L, 18-2), 7
11 East Pennsboro (MPC, 13-5-1) at 6 Fleetwood (Berks, 12-5-1), 7
CLASS A
ROUND OF 16
Tuesday, Oct. 23
1 Trinity (MPC, 14-3-1), bye
9 Fairfield (YAIAA, 11-5-2) at 8 Conestoga Christian (CCAC, 14-4), 7
4 York Catholic (YAIAA, 11-3-2), bye
12 Mount Calvary (CCAC, 9-5-4) at 5 Biglerville (YAIAA, 12-6-1), 7
2 Covenant Christian (CCAC, 14-1-1), bye
10 Lancaster Country Day (TVL, 11-5-1) at 7 Lititz Christian (CCAC, 13-5), 4
3 Greenwood (TVL, 15-2), bye
11 Bible Baptist (CCAC, 13-6) at 6 High Point (ACCAC, 11-5-1), 4