What's wrong with District 1?

Until recently, everyone in this half of the state knew that the road to Hersheypark Stadium, site of the PIAA football championships, ran through District 1 in terms of the big schools.

From 1996 through 2004 not a state finals weekend went by that District 1 wasn't represented in either Class AAAA or Class AAA. Starting in 1996, the suburban Philadelphia district took home AAAA gold four straight years while Strath Haven, beginning in 1999, played for four straight AAA titles and won two.

Since the Panthers' last appearance -- a 21-10 loss to Hopewell in 2002 -- the only District 1 school to reach the AAA final was Garnet Valley, which fell to Thomas Jefferson last year. In its place stepped Manheim Central, which split two title games, and Pottsville, a District 11 team that went 0-for-2.

The last AAAA team from District 1 to find its way to Hershey was Neshaminy in 2004, when the Redskins lost to Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 49-14. The year before North Penn beat Central Catholic, 37-10. The District 1 trophy case has been void of golden footballs since.

In the meantime District 11 has thrived at the AAAA level with four straight showings, including this year. Bethlehem Liberty (left) will try to snap a district-wide three-game AAAA finals losing streak and capture the district's second AAAA crown Saturday when the Hurricanes meet Bethel Park at 7 p.m.