YORK, Pa. — High school's football postseason continues in Central Pennsylvania with the District 3 and PIAA playoffs.
The district's three biggest classes, 6A, 5A and 4A, will contest the semifinals Friday night, while the district title will be on the line in Class 3A.
In Class 2A and Class 1A, the PIAA playoffs are underway.
Here's a look at this week's matchups.
CLASS 6A
The semifinals will feature a rematch of last year's championship game, as defending champion Harrisburg (9-2) takes on last year's runner-up Manheim Township (10-1) Friday at 7 p.m. in Neffsville. The Cougars advanced with a 42-6 drubbing of Dallastown in last week's quarterfinals, while the top-seeded Blue Streaks moved on with a 14-7 victory over Cumberland Valley.
Harrisburg defeated Township 34-28 in overtime in last year's championship game, handing the Streaks their first and final loss of the season. It was the third straight district title for the Cougars.
In the other semifinal, Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 champion Wilson (10-1) faces YAIAA Division 1 kingpin Central York (9-2) Friday at 7 p.m. in West Lawn. The Bulldogs dusted Cedar Crest 28-3 for their eighth win in a row; their only loss was a 35-31 setback against Nazareth back in Week 3. The Panthers have won eight of their last nine, including a 47-14 drubbing of Central Dauphin East in the quarterfinals.
CLASS 5A
Undefeated Conestoga Valley improved to 12-0 and advanced to the district semifinals for the first time in 17 years with a 35-24 victory over Shippensburg last week. Up next for the Buckskins? A semifinal rematch with L-L League Section 2 foe Exeter Township (11-1), which will be looking to avenge its only loss of the season, a 28-27 home loss to CV on Oct. 18.
Exeter upset top-seeded New Oxford 24-21 in the quarterfinals to earn a second shot at the Bucks. They'll square off Friday at 7 in Witmer.
In Friday's other semifinal, Mechanicsburg (11-0) will put its unblemished record on the line against perennial title contender Bishop McDevitt (10-2), which was bumped up to 5A after capturing three straight titles in Class 4A. Mechanicsburg blasted defending champion Cocalico 42-3 to advance to the semifinals, while McDevitt knocked off previously unbeaten Conrad Weiser 42-7 to move on. It was the Crusaders' ninth win in their last 10 games. The teams will square off Friday at 7 p.m. in Mechanicsburg.
CLASS 4A
Top-seeded Lampeter-Strasburg rolled up another impressive victory in last week's quarterfinals, hammering Elco 42-7 to advance to the semifinals and improve to 11-0. The Pioneers will face another L-L League Section 4 neighbor on Friday when they host Twin Valley, which advanced to the semis with a 47-19 triumph over Susquehanna Township last week. L-S defeated the Raiders 62-14 in their regular-season meeting on Oct. 18.
In the other semifinal matchup, L-L League Section 4 runner-up Wyomissing will host the bracket's Cinderella team, third-seeded West York. The Bulldogs defeated Eastern York 5-3 in a weird, turnover-filled quarterfinal tussle to advance to the semifinals for the first time in 12 years. Wyomissing, which was bumped up to Class 4A after capturing five straight 3A titles, advanced to the semis with a 31-0 rout of East Pennsboro.
CLASS 3A
It's title time in Class 3A, and Trinity is back in the championship game for the third straight season. The Shamrocks (9-2) survived a 20-17 overtime nail-biter against Schuylkill Valley last week to punch their ticket to the finals. They'll be chasing their first district title since 2022 and their fourth overall.
Meanwhile, top-seeded York-Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 3 champion Bermudian Springs (10-2) moved on to the title game with a 42-25 victory over Berks Catholic in last week's semifinals. It's the Eagles' first finals appearance since 2018, and they'll be chasing their first title since 1998.
Friday's title game will be be played at 7 p.m. at Boiling Springs High School.
CLASS 2A
Steelton-Highspire captured its fifth straight district title last week, defeating Lancaster Catholic 36-7. The Rollers won four straight District 3 Class 1A titles before getting moved up a class in the offseason, but had little trouble capturing the 2A crown.
Now Steel-High (10-2) turns its focus to the state playoffs, where the Rollers have been just as successful, with three Class 1A titles in the last four seasons.
First up in the quest for 2A gold is a date with District 5 champ Bedford. The game will be played Friday at 7 p.m. at Claysburg-Kimmel High School in Claysburg, Blair County.
Bedford (9-3) has won six of its last seven games. Steel-High has won seven straight and nine of its last 10.
CLASS 1A
Newly crowned District 3 champion Delone Catholic, fresh off its 21-14 victory over YAIAA Division 3 rival York Catholic in last week's title game, moves on to the PIAA Class 1A playoffs Friday night with a date against District 12 kingpin Belmont Charter.
Delone (9-2) has won six straight and nine of its last 10 games, including back-to-back wins over York Catholic.
Belmont Charter (5-5) has won three of its last four games after surviving a rocky 2-4 start to its season. The Tigers defeated Morrisville 28-7 last week.
