Pioneers, Comets: Mirror images

Forget about spread offenses and stack defenses.

The main topic for Week Two is rain.

Historic downpours have wreaked havoc with, among other things, football practices and the games themselves.

"We've been in the gym all week and that stinks," said Lampeter-Strasburg coach John Manion, who has been prepping his Pioneers for the postponed nonleague collision with visiting Penn Manor.

Manion said Thursday he expects the game to be rescheduled for Saturday night, either at 6 at Millersville's Beamesderfer Stadium or 7 at L-S.

"Our field is under water, it's a mess," Manion said. "Hopefully, (the rain) will slow down and (the field) will drain quick."

Regardless of the site and the day, Penn Manor at L-S is a first-rate matchup.

Game to Watch

Penn Manor at L-S: Both sides agree these teams are mirror images of each other.

"It's the closest thing to watching ourselves on film," Manion said.

Comets coach Todd Mealy agreed.

"Penn Manor and Lampeter-Strasburg are very similar teams," he opined. "The personnel is very similar and the offensive schemes are alike."

In last Friday's openers, the Pioneers and Comets were paced by their respective two-pronged attacks. For L-S, that would be QB Nate Shank and running back Jordan Groff. The pair combined for three TDs in a 34-24 win at Hempfield.

For Penn Manor, QB Adam Sahd and RB Brandon Stone combined to have a hand in a total of four scores in a 49-13 victory over visiting Solanco.

"They have a lot of weapons," Manion said. "Their defensive line is extremely aggressive. That's something we're trying to deal with."

Said Mealy, "L-S is one of the most talented teams in the L-L League. They're experienced and they've been a part of a lot of winning. They play fast."

The latter is something the Comets have been trying to cope with since last year's 44-7 loss to the Pioneers. Totaling their summer conditioning drills, Mealy estimates his players put in some 60-70 miles of running.

"Our coaches were very pleased with how in shape we looked (against Solanco)," he said. "The first three games of the season are sometimes won by being in better shape (than the opposition). How well conditioned one is could make a significant difference."

Notables

Catholic QB McCafferty out: Lancaster Catholic head coach Bruce Harbach stated Wednesday that starting QB Mac McCafferty, who suffered a concussion late in last Friday's season-opening win at Trinity, will be out "2-3 weeks."

Harbach said seniors Andrew Dzurik and Sean Gibbons will see playing time tonight at Hempfield.

Dzurik came in for one play against Trinity, handing off to Brandon Hollister, who swept left from 10 yards out to score the eventual winning TD on the first play of overtime.

Gibbons saw time on special teams, and took the snap from center on Satchel Ziffer's game-tying field goal as time expired in regulation.

Harbach did not name a starter at QB, due to the limited practice time because of this week's rain.

Bears share QB duties: Elizabethtown head coach Mike Cottle went with three QBs in last Friday's loss to Cedar Cliff.

"We went in order," Cottle said Wednesday. "We started with the senior (Ethan Beck), then went with the junior (Max Daley), then the sophomore (Tyler Cottle)."

For the record, Beck went 3 for 6 for 22 yards with a long of 12; Daley went 2 for 3 for 65 yards with one TD, one interception and a long of 66; and Tyler Cottle 3 for 7 for 19 yards, with a long of 8.

Since then, Mike Cottle has decided to move Beck to tight end and alternate between Daley and Tyler Cottle for this week's game against Hershey. The game was postponed Thursday, but no new date was set.

"They'll both get some snaps," Mike Cottle said. "I don't know if we'll (alternate) by series or by quarters.

"Both have played equally. If one stands out, we'll go with one."

It's a decision that has been hindered by the heavy rains.

"We haven't been able to get a good read on the quarterbacks," Mike Cottle said. "They're throwing a wet ball and there are a couple inches of water on the ground."

Gillin's status in question: As of late Thursday night, Wilson coach Doug Dahms said star running back Rodney Gillin's status for this weekend's rescheduled game at Manheim Central remains in question.

"It's up in the air," said Dahms.

Gillin was suspended for last Friday's loss to rival Governor Mifflin for what Dahms said was a violation of team rules.

Catholic-McCaskey: Harbach said there is no truth to the rumor that Lancaster Catholic had been looking into switching next Friday's much-anticipated rematch with the Red Tornado to McCaskey Stadium due to insufficient seating at Rossmere Stadium.

Last year's game at McCaskey, won by the Crusaders, drew an overflow crowd of 10,000-13,000 fans. Catholic is said to be adding extra bleachers for the rematch.

Players of the Week

Section One Back: McCaskey QB Johnathan Hulyo completed 25 of 43 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns against Coatesville. He also rushed five times for 54 yards and one TD.

Section One Lineman: Two-way lineman Alex Quinn of Penn Manor registered 10 tackles, including six solo, and three tackles for loss in a win over Solanco. He also had four QB hurries.

Section Two Back: Lebanon QB Alex Trautman completed 17 of 21 passes for 219 yards, two TDs and no interceptions in a victory over rival Cedar Crest. He had an 81 percent completion rate.

Section Two Lineman: Carlos Sepulveda of Lebanon was credited with a high blocking grade against Cedar Crest. He had three knockdown blocks. Defensively, he had three solo stops and one assist.

Section Three Back: H-back/QB Seth Lefever of Columbia carried 12 times for 158 yards and one TD in a win over Eastern York. He was also 2 of 2 passing for 17 yards and one score. He added two receptions for 35 yards and a two-point conversion.

Section Three Lineman: Pequea Valley RB Chris Schmid carried 28 times for 166 yards and three TDs.

egruver@lnpnews.com