It's only five and a half weeks before high school football season kicks off and there's really not much more for your reliable YDR/SN prep sports reporter to think about other than the fast approaching Friday night action. After spending some time pouring over the schedules of the 22 YAIAA football teams, I've come up with these six contests over the season's first seven weeks that should be pivotal for one reason or another.

See the full list after the jump. Utilize the comments section to critique my choices and/or add another game you deem worthy for the list.

Posted in Prep sports Sean McLernon YAIAA football

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“I have nothing but the utmost respect for them because going undefeated in a season is incredible,” Pollick said after his Warriors won their second straight state title by defeating the Black Panthers 3-1,

Posted in Prep sports Steve Navaroli

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On Friday, the “road” Warriors struck again as Susquehannock took the long road to the PIAA Class AAA championship.

For the second consecutive year, the Warriors finished third in the District 3 playoffs and had to go through the western bracket of the state playoffs.

The formula worked again as Susquehannock knocked off previously unbeaten Milton Area for its second championship, much to the detriment of athletic director Chuck Abbott’s budget.

Posted in Prep sports Steve Navaroli

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The Susquehannock softball team has been to something very close to softball hell and back, surviving a 17-inning marathon in one game and staging an unlikely two-out comeback in the seventh inning in another to keep their hopes of repeating as PIAA Class AAA champions alive.

And with an undefeated Milton team that beat the two teams that finished ahead of Susquehannock in the District 3 tournament up next, the Warriors may have their toughest still to come. Right?

During the Warriors final practice before Friday's noon title contest against the Black Panthers at Shippensburg, Megan Sheaf said she doesn't think so.

"I mean, it'll probably be close," Sheaf said. "But we know the pain of extra innings. We'll probably jump on them quicker and get it over with."

Posted in Prep sports Sean McLernon

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Central York softball fans had a lot to be proud of this season.

Coach Dave Marsh’s crew overcame some early stumbles and made it all the way to the PIAA Class AAAA semifinals before bowing out to Latrobe in 13 innings, 1-0.

The fact that the Panthers struck out 25 times in Monday’s game should mean nothing. Latrobe’s hard-throwing Alexa Bryson has been doing that to the opposition all year.

Entering that game against Central, Bryson had fanned 282 batters in 156 innings, while posting a miniscule ERA of 0.13.

Posted in Prep sports Steve Navaroli

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Vincent Powell of West Manchester Township writes: “Wow. First the New England and now Big Brown. It just makes you wonder what the 2008 World Series holds in store for us.”

Ron Sisto II of Dover Township writes: “Spread the bases further apart and move the pitcher back in high school softball. Defense and hitting are lost as a team relies too much on one player.”

Posted in Local sports Prep sports Pro Sports Your Take

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For the full story, click here.

Maffett went 10-2 for the Eagles this year, striking out 127 hitters and only walking 29.

"I think it's an excellent choice," said Maffett's head coach, Dave Orwig. "I think it's a very strong academic school and the baseball program is (NCAA) Division I."

Posted in College Spotlight Local sports Prep sports

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Ellwood City 000 100 000 000 000 00 – 1 7 0
Susquehannock 001 000 000 000 000 01 – 2 13 4

The aftermath of Susquehannock’s thrilling 17-inning win the PIAA Class AAA quarterfinal win over Ellwood City shows a lot of zeros in the scoring line.
Actually, that is just a long scoring line.
Yet surviving was just that on a day when pages in scorebooks were filled past capacity or new ones had to be started.
It was nearly 2 ½ games and three hours worth of incredible play in high humidity in the mountains of Centre County.

Posted in Prep sports Steve Navaroli

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Battling Penn Hills for the second-place spot in Pool A, the Panthers took down the Indians 25-21 in a one-game tiebreaker to advance to Saturday's semifinals at 11 a.m., when they will play Pool B winner Hempfield.

Check Saturday's print edition for more details from Friday's action.

Posted in Prep sports Sean McLernon

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