Week 1 projections

It's that time of year again. The first football tab of year doesn't include the Week 1 game capsules, which are accompanied by predictions for each area game. So this is the only place to find what we're thinking about the opening-week game. Our staff picks are available in our season preview tab (page D47) but if you can't wait for Friday, here's an early look:

MID-PENN LIBERTY DIVISION
Middletown 21, East Pennsboro 16 -- Might be the de facto Liberty Division title game. Rodney Ramsey's presence in the backfield gives the Blue Raiders the edge. If the Panthers can respond from this early loss, good things could be ahead.

NON-DIVISION

Boiling Springs 33, Big Spring 6 -- The goal of Big Spring's new offense is keep its defense off the field by running the Wing-T and making the game shorter. That's all well and good but we like the Bubblers to cruise past the rival 'Dawgs on the new carpet at Ecker Field.

Mechanicsburg 27, Carlisle 8 -- Both teams are young and inexperienced but Mechanicsburg isn't as woeful as you'd expect for a team with just one returning starter, which is running back Tarik Leftenant (above). Carlisle will rely on Travis Mease to pound the ball but one man can only do so much. On the other side, Mid-Penn meet Mechanicsburg QB James Rusenko. The name will be familiar soon enough.

Red Land 12, Cedar Cliff 0 -- Those defenses of Frank Gay sure are something. With Cedar Cliff QB Tim Kelly out with a broken collarbone, Gay's defense will go crazy and Cedar Cliff will lose its ninth straight to Red Land. If this score comes to fruition, it will be the second time in three years the Patriots hung a shutout on their rival.

NON-CONFERENCE

Biglerville 19, Camp Hill 14 -- It's a tough opener for the fresh-faced Lions, who replace just about everybody from last year's District 3 Class A runner-up squad. One thing that didn't change was the fact that Frank Kindler coaches the team. Anytime that name is involved, the team will come to play. Don't be surprised if Camp Hill wins this game.

Cumberland Valley 31, Red Lion 14 -- Another home game for CV and another blowout. Red Lion might come around as the year goes along but this is a rough opener. CV, on the other hand, is gearing up for a return to the postseason party and the Lions are simply victim No. 1.

Indian Valley 21, West Perry 9 -- A perennial power in District 6 -- what are there, five AAA schools up there? -- Indian Valley has had West Perry's number recently. A win sure would be good for the confidence in Elliottsburg but we just don't see it this week.

Lancaster Catholic 29, Trinity 14 -- A good measuring stick for the new-look Shamrocks. We're fairly confident that if Trinity can stay within two scores of a high-powered Lancaster Catholic side, better things will soon follow.

Northern 35, Bermudian Springs 12 -- Joe Tuschak starts his second year under center and promptly lights the Eagles up. Not many are talking about Northern but they will be soon enough.

Shippensburg 22, Halifax 6 -- The Greyhounds have some big, experienced boys in the trenches. Halifax? Not so much. Shippensburg should be able to do whatever it wants in this one.

Susquenita 18, Newport 7 -- A good start for new coach Bart Miller at Susquenita. Key is keeper QB Derec Sauve, who threw for over 2,000 yards last year, happy as a Wing-T quarterback.