Week 4 winners and losers

Without question the biggest game of last weekend was the one between Mechanicsburg and Northern. We could put both of these teams under each category. Mechanicsburg could be considered a winner due to ending Northern's 31-game winning streak and staying undefeated. The 'Cats could also be in the loser category due to nearly blowing a 23-8 fourth-quarter lead.

Northern's in the same boat. The Polar Bears could be classified as winners after taking a very strong Mechanicsburg team to the limit without their top two running backs, Isaiah Hicks and Robbie Bleiler, at full strength. Or, Northern could be in the other category for losing said regular-season winning streak.

We'll make it simple and just keep both off the lists this week:

Biggest winners:

Camp Hill -- The Lions (3-1) responded on the road in a tough environment and blitzed rival East Pennsboro, 17-7, a week after losing to Trinity, another rival. Jordan Weber's four interceptions and one touchdown catch all but eliminated any chance the Panthers (1-3) had of winning.

Cedar Cliff -- Win No. 2 for Jim Cantafio came a week following the coach's first win at the school. On Friday, the Colts (2-2) needed Tim Kelly's 1-yard touchdown run in overtime to down Chambersburg, 30-27. Do we hear three straight for Cantafio? Colts host Carlisle (1-3) on Friday.

Cumberland Valley -- How do you erase bad memories from an upset a year ago? Beat that team 45-0 on its home field. That's exactly what the Eagles (3-1) did to Central Dauphin East on Friday. Mike Frenette, the area's leading rusher, pounded out 125 yards on 11 carries.

Biggest losers:

Carlisle -- The good news was that the Thundering Herd (1-3) held a 7-0 lead on Harrisburg. That's where the good news ends as Carlisle allowed 50+ points to the defending District 3-6 Class AAAA champion for the second year in a row via a 53-14 loss.

Boiling Springs -- The playoffs are slipping away. Last year's 13-7 loss to Milton Hershey finished off the Bubblers' playoff hopes. A 21-14 loss to the Spartans in Week 4 dropped Boiling Springs to 1-3 but didn't mathematically eliminate it. If the Bubblers can't score more, it'll be a long second half to the season.

Shippensburg -- What happened? A 42-12 loss to a previously winless foe is never good. An issue the Greyhounds (1-3) had was a lack of a passing game. Now, it appears the defense can't stop anybody. The holes need to be plugged quickly before a team with 18 returning starters watches its season slip away.