District 3 Championships 6A, 5A, & 4A Previews
In this article:
6A Manheim Township vs. Harrisburg Skinny: This is a re-match from week 3 when Manheim Township beat Harrisburg 38-6. Harrisburg has not lost since beating Cedar Crest and Central York to advance to the District Championship. Manheim Township is having…
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Manheim Township vs. Harrisburg
Skinny: This is a re-match from week 3 when Manheim Township beat Harrisburg 38-6. Harrisburg has not lost since beating Cedar Crest and Central York to advance to the District Championship. Manheim Township is having a special year and is currently 12-0 on the year.
Key match-up: Manheim Township’s passing game vs. Harrisburg’s pass defense.
Key Prospects Harrisburg:
Highlights
Highlights
Highlights
For Harrisburg to win this match-up they need to slow down the dynamic Hayden Johnson Hayden Johnson 5'10" | 190 lbs | LB Trinity | 2027 PA as a passer. Harrisburg has the pieces to do that with Shawn Lee playing as defensive back along with quarterback, Ellias Coke as a defensive back, and Ryan Epps Ryan Epps 6'1" | 235 lbs | DL Harrisburg | 2024 State PA as an edge defender. Lee and Coke are Division One prospects who play at a high level on defense. They both have the coverage skills to slow down the passing game for Manheim Township. Epps had 3 sacks for Harrisburg, so he has the skills to create havoc in the backfield. Harrisburg also has Kevin Brown a stout defensive lineman, Raytel Bryant Raytel Bryant 5'9" | 180 lbs | DB Harrisburg | 2024 State PA an all-league linebacker, and Quincy Brannon Quincy Brannon 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH Harrisburg | 2025 State PA at defensive back. Harrisburg has the players to slow down and stop Manheim Township’s passing attack.
Key prospects: Manheim Township:
Highlights
Hayden Johnson Hayden Johnson 5'10" | 190 lbs | LB Trinity | 2027 PA a 3 year starter is having an incredible season for Manheim Township. He is tough to stop in the pocket and can scramble around and make plays all over the field. Landon Kennel Landon Kennel 6'3" | 200 lbs | WR Manheim Township | 2024 State PA is his top target at wide receiver and Johnson always looks for him in the red zone. Declan Clancy Declan Clancy 5'10" | 190 lbs | ATH Manheim Township | 2025 State PA is another weapon they use in the pass-and-run games at running back. This group will be challenged this week, by a talented Harrisburg defense, they should be up to the task.
5A
Cocalico vs. Ephrata
Skinny: These next-store neighbor school districts face off in the 5A District Championship Game. 4.3 miles separate the two schools from each other. Cocalico is the defending 5A District 3 champs and has won 11 straight after losing week one to Warwick. Ephrata is having an amazing season and has gone from winning their 1st playoff in school history to now advancing to the District Championship game.
Key match-up: Cocalico’s veer offense vs. Ephrata’s defense.
Key prospects Cocalico
Highlights
Aaryn Longenecker Aaryn Longenecker 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH Cocalico | 2024 State PA
Aaryn Longenecker Aaryn Longenecker 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH Cocalico | 2024 State PA
Cocalico runs a veer offense. They have been running it for a long time. In the era of spread offenses Cocalico’s veer offense is a throwback offense that is hard to defend. Cocalico has 3878 rushing this year vs. 289 yards through the air. The problem with trying to defend the veer offense is you do not understand how hard it is to defend until you see it live. Cocalico just controls the ball for long drives which shortens the game for the other team. Led by fullbacks Sam Steffey Sam Steffey 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Cocalico | 2024 State PA , and Dane Horning Dane Horning 5'8" | 180 lbs | ATH Cocalico | 2026 State PA they have two tough physical runners that are hard to stop. Add in the wing-back in Aaryn Longenecker Aaryn Longenecker 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH Cocalico | 2024 State PA then you got a dynamic trio of running backs.
Key prospects Ephrata:
Highlights
Jackson Nolt
Jackson Nolt
Nick Keller
Nick Keller
Brayden Brown
Brayden Brown
Jeremiah Knowles
Jeremiah Knowles
Ephrata has allowed 267 yards on the year, which was tied for 2nd best in Section 2 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League with Garden Spot. They have the ingredients to shut down Cocalico’s offense, it will take a team effort though. Led by Quintin Pfautz Quintin Pfautz 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Ephrata | 2024 State PA at linebacker Ephrata has a linebacker who can run sideline to sideline to make tackles. Jackson Nolt is a defensive force inside. Brayden Brown is an outside linebacker who plays at a high level Nick Keller and Jeremiah Knowles at defensive back are capable players. It will take a good defensive effort to pull it off.
4A
Bishop McDevitt vs. Manheim Central
Skinny: Bishop McDevitt enters the game trying to win their 2nd straight District and State Title. Bishop McDevitt has one of the most talented teams in the state. They are loaded with players all over the field. Manheim Central is equally loaded with talent but will have an uphill test against McDevitt.
Key match-up: Both offenses trying to outscore each other.
Top Prospects McDevitt:
Saunders is one of the best prospects in the state and has constantly shown he is a legit quarterback. Rico Scott Rico Scott 6'0" | 185 lbs | WR Bishop McDevitt | 2024 State PA and Chase Regan Chase Regan 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Bishop McDevitt | 2024 State PA are talented wide receivers who make a ton of plays for McDevitt in the passing game. It is so hard to stop either. Then you throw in dynamic Maurice Barnes Maurice Barnes 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Bishop McDevitt | 2026 State PA at running back. McDevitt is a tough team to beat.
Top prospects Manheim Central:
Highlights
Manheim Central’s offense is not to be outdone with Zac Hahn Zac Hahn 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Manheim Central | 2024 State PA with over 2800 yards passing, Brycen Armold Brycen Armold 5'7" | 180 lbs | RB Manheim Central | 2024 State PA with over 1,000 yards rushing, and Aaron Enterline Aaron Enterline 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Manheim Central | 2024 State PA with over 1,000 yards receiving. Add in Bode Sipel Bode Sipel 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH Manheim Central | 2024 State PA and you have a talented group of skilled kids. The key will be trying to match Bishop McDevitt’s offense. We will see if they can do it.