Playoffs arrows: Up or down?

Boiling Springs (even) -- Even with the victory at Camp Hill, the arrow is neither up nor down. The Bubblers still need a lot of help to crack the playoffs and Milton Hershey's victory over Middletown won't help. Regardless, five straight wins after an 0-4 start is a nice accomplishment and six would be even better. The Bubblers host James Buchanan on Friday in the regular-season finale Friday at 7 p.m.

Cedar Cliff (down) -- Only because a 35-14 loss to anybody is disheartening. Still, the Colts can crack the playoffs for the first time since 1996 with a win over Central Dauphin East at Landis Field in Week 10. If Cedar Cliff can claw into the top 12, don't be surprised with a first-round Cedar Cliff win.

Cumerland Valley (up) -- CV should move into the top three after Penn Manor's last-minute, 24-20 loss to Wilson. The Bulldogs will stay second (behind Bishop McDevitt) with the Eagles moving to third. The key is to try and avoid McDevitt until the district final, which will happen if CV wins at Central Dauphin in Week 10.

Mechanicsburg (up) -- A 2-point win over James Buchanan should never be cause for celebration but if that victory is a team's fifth-straight after an 0-4 start, it's a big relief. A win at Red Land on Thursday will send the Wildcats back to the District 3 Class AAA tournament with only one returning starter from last year's 12-1 team.

Northern (down) -- Polar Bears fell apart in the second half of a 35-14 loss at Susquehanna Twp. The Polar Bears hung tough against a good opponent on the road and can still boast a nice 21-0 victory over Greencastle-Antrim. Problem is, the loss to 'Hanna will hurt Northern's playoff seed in a loaded bracket.

Trinity (up) -- Heading into a huge game with Milton Hershey on Friday at 7 p.m., the Shamrocks are riding high. Middletown, one of the teams ahead of Trinity, lost to Milton Hershey on Friday. The result, coupled with Trinity's 21-3 victory at Palmyra, will lift Trinity into the top three for the moment. Everything will change when the Spartans come calling. A win for the 'Rocks is a must.