Some musts for some W's

As the wind howls outside, let's take a closer look at what the four remaining area teams have to do tonight -- besides cope with the high wind -- to be playing after Thanksgiving.

Red Land -- Skyler Hunt, Red Land's senior quarterback, needs to outplay Hershey ace Mike Wagner. In a game likely to be very defensive, a key throw in the second half may decide the winner. The other factor is both teams running games. Junior Rodriguez hit 99 yards two weeks ago against the Trojans and lineman Aubrey Moore has been involved in the jumbo package as a fullback of late.

Northern -- This one is easy. If the two-pronged rushing attack of Michael Davies and Bubba Smith gets on track early, the Polar Bears could make this look easy. The wind will make it difficult for Daniel Boone to throw -- something it loves to do -- effectively.

Trinity -- Outside of facing Lancaster Catholic, Milton Hershey is probably the worst draw Trinity could have gotten. The Spartans played an even game with Trinity in October and could do so again tonight. With Christian Kuntz' speed and Rod Trevino's ability to pound the ball into the line, the Shamrocks have the ability to keep the ball away Milton Hershey's explosive back, Donte Peeks. If it's close in the end, Ted Spinelli, who went 0-for-6 passing in the first encounter, will need to step up.

Camp Hill -- Tyler Shover. If the junior quarterback eclipses the 300-yard mark again this week, Camp Hill is going to win. Shover has weapons -- Jordan Weber, Trevor Polly -- but is a master at offensive coordinator Steve Shover's West Virginia offense. Steelton-Highspire will try to ride Jeremiah Young, one of the state's top running backs, to a win but it's going to be tough stopping Shover and that Lion offense.

What's next
The day after Thanksgiving brings two District 3 championship games to Hersheypark Stadium. The Camp Hill/Steelton-Highspire winner faces the Holy Name/Millersburg winner at 1 p.m. in the Class A final. In the nightcap at 7, Milton Hershey or Trinity will meet the winner of Delone Catholic/Lancaster Catholic for the Class AA title.

The AAA field heads into the semifinals next weekend with local teams on each side of the bracket. If Northern survives, it will welcome the winner of West York/Gettysburg to Bostic Field a week from today. Red Land, if it gets past Hershey, will be required to make travel plans if No. 2 seed Elizabethtown beats visiting Lampeter-Strasburg tonight. If L-S wins, the Pioneers will invade West Shore Stadium next Friday.

Both AAA semifinals are scheduled to start at 7.