Top Games No. 9: Trinity at Camp Hill

In recent years, this backyard rivalry, which returns Sept. 9 at Camp Hill's Seibert Memorial Park, hasn't been much of a game.

When Camp Hill has solid teams, the Lions compete with Trinity, but when they experience lean years, this game is usually one-sided.

Last season, Trinity and quarterback Patrick Dill, right, ran roughshod over Camp Hill in a 49-0 rout. That was the first of 12 straight wins for the Shamrocks on their way to a second District 3 Class AA title. Trinity, which lost to Lewisburg in the PIAA Class AA quarterfinals, finished with a 12-2 record last season.

In the offseason, veteran Camp Hill coach Frank Kindler resigned after an ugly 1-9 season. Frank Gay, the former Red Land coach, stepped in to lead the Lions.

How Gay fares with the small numbers at Camp Hill is yet to be seen, but remember that Gay's Red Land teams were always a hard-nosed bunch. If he brings that mentality to Camp Hill, the Lions will definitely compete.

Now, for Trinity. The Shamrocks are still on the short list of 3-AA favorites despite the lingering cloud stemming from an alleged hazing incident during the team's visit to Lebanon Valley College for a team camp in July.

The outcome of the police and the school's investigation could determine how far this talented team goes.