YORK, Pa. — The District 3 Class 3A playoffs get underway Friday night with a pair of quarterfinal matchups.
In one game, No. 5 Littlestown (8-2) visits No. 4 Schuylkill Valley (8-2), with the winner advancing to the semifinals to take on top-seeded Wyomissing (9-1).
In Friday's other matchup, third-seeded West Perry (9-1) hosts No. 6 Bermudian Springs (6-4). The winner faces second-seeded Lancaster Catholic in the semifinals.
Here's a look at both matchups.
No. 5 Littlestown (8-2) at No. 4 Schuylkill Valley (8-2)
ABOUT SCHUYLKILL VALLEY: The Panthers were part of a three-way tie for first place in the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 5 race, joining No. 2 seed Lancaster Catholic and Class 2A playoff qualifier Annville-Cleona. Schuylkill Valley defeated Annville-Cleona 14-13 in the regular season, but lost 35-14 to Lancaster Catholic last week. The Panthers' other regular-season loss was a 44-13 defeat against Class 4A playoff qualifier Twin Valley in its season opener.
Coached by Bruce Harbach, who led Lancaster Catholic to state titles in 2009 and 2011, Schuylkill Valley's offense is dangerous through the air, with the tandem of quarterback Logan Nawrocki and wideout Kowen Gerner. Nawrocki has thrown for 1,741 yards and 19 touchdowns this season, while Gerner has 38 catches for 883 yards and 11 scores. The Panthers' ground game is paced by the duo of Dominic Giuffre (86-545, 6 TDs) and Luke Spotts (102-413, 5 TDs).
Schuylkill Valley is chasing its first-ever district title.
ABOUT LITTLESTOWN: The Thunderbolts elbowed their way into a three-way tie for first in the York-Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 3 race with a 35-32 victory over Bermudian Springs in Week 10. That result forged a tie between Littlestown, Delone Catholic, and Bermudian Springs. The Thunderbolts lost their head-to-head matchup with Delone, falling 14-6 in Week 5. Littlestown's other loss was a 28-27 heartbreaker against Susquehannock in Week 2. The Bolts enter the playoffs on a five-game winning streak.
Littlestown's offense is led by QB Alex Popoff, who has 1,202 yards and 12 touchdowns on 64-of-99 passing this year. Colby Hahn leads the rushing attack, with 647 yards and 18 touchdowns on 113 carries.
The Bolts have won three district titles, the most recent coming in 2004.
No. 6 Bermudian Springs (6-4) at No. 3 West Perry (9-1)
ABOUT WEST PERRY: The Mustangs' nine-game winning streak was halted last week with a 33-12 loss to defending district and state Class 1A champion Steelton-Highspire. It was just the second time all season that West Perry did not score at least 20 points. The loss dropped West Perry into second place in the Mid-Penn Capital Division.
The Mustangs' high-powered offense is spearheaded by senior quarterback Marcus Quaker, a true dual threat under center. Quaker has completed 97 of 138 pass attempts for 1,514 yards and 12 touchdowns and is also the team's leading rusher with 961 yards and 15 scores on 108 attempts. Brad Hockenberry (124-860, 7 TDs) is also a threat on the ground for West Perry, while senior Ian Goodling (43-760, 7 TDs) is Quaker's top target.
West Perry has never won a district title, but the Mustangs have made two appearances in the championship game. They lost 63-7 to Wyomissing in last season's Class 3A final.
ABOUT BERMUDIAN SPRINGS: The Eagles' 35-32 loss to Littlestown in Week 10 cost them sole possession of first place in the YAIAA Division 3 title race; they had to settle for being part of a three-way tie with the Thunderbolts and Delone Catholic instead. The loss also ended a six-game winning streak for Bermudian, which shook off a 0-3 start to fight their way into the playoffs. The Eagles' 35-7 season-opening loss to Division 2 champ and District 3 playoff qualifier New Oxford is one thing, but they also fell to Boiling Springs and Susquehannock, who went a combined 6-14 in the regular season.
Eddie Sebright is the top rusher for Bermudian, with 665 yards and 11 touchdowns on 81 carries. QB Tyson Carpenter has completed 47 of 89 passes for 924 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Eagles. His top target is Jack Gautsch, who has 20 catches for 347 yards and four scores.
Bermudian Springs has won three District 3 Class 2A titles, but the last came in 1998.
