MANHEIM — With its sparkling record and history in the District 3-AAA playoffs, it’s kinda hard to believe that Manheim Central is going back to the championship tilt for the first time since (gulp) 2009.
Including its 42-20 semifinal victory over rival Cocalico on Friday night, the Barons are now 47-9 in district playoff games, and they’ll go for their 17th championship next Friday against No. 1 seed — and three-time reigning AAA champ — Bishop McDevitt, in a matchup a lot of folks around the area have been jonesing for this season.
The Barons will bring a 13-0 record to Hersheypark Stadium, to face a 12-1 McD outfit that has flattened all-comers in the postseason, including Friday’s 49-21 semi romp over Conrad Weiser, which didn’t allow a single point in its first two playoff games.
Manheim Central’s 16 titles are a record; and nobody in these parts will forget the Barons’ 10-year reign over District 3, winning AAA championships every year from 1992-2001.
This one might be a little trickier. True, McDevitt will be a stout foe. But the Barons might — might — be shorthanded when they pull into Hersheypark Stadium.
Against Cocalico, QB Colin Fry (shoulder) and WR Daniel Wiederrecht (tailbone) went down and both needed help getting off the field. They both walked the sideline in the second half, Fry with his right arm in a sling and Wiederrecht on crutches.
We’ll keep an eye on those storylines this week.
INTERVIEW WITH MANHEIM CENTRAL SENIOR TE-LB TAYLOR GEIB ABOUT BEATING COCALICO AND LOOKING AHEAD TO BISHOP McDEVITT:
But one thing Manheim Central will bring into its tussle with the Crusaders: A rock-solid rushing game and an o-line that has dominated the line of scrimmage since Day 1, Game 1 this season.
Marc Royer rushed for 250 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the semi vs. Cocalico, giving him 2,074 yards this season.
INTERVIEW WITH ROYER AFTER THE WIN OVER COCALICO ABOUT THE VICTORY AND LOOKING AHEAD TO BISHOP McDEVITT:
Ian Hanselman, who had a TD catch on Friday, is also a 1,000-yard back.
Those guys should take pressure off QB Tony Staffieri, should he get the nod next Friday. Staffieri has taken plenty of snaps this season, and coach Mike Williams said he’d get most of the reps with the first unit this week.
Either way, the Barons are heading back to their old home away from home, where they’ve won so many games and hoisted so many gold trophies.
And now they’ll get a shot at the team that has taken away their thunder in the AAA ranks the last three years — Bishop McDevitt.
The winner hoists gold.
The loser goes home.
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