“Roberts Rankings”-Football

Here are my Berks County high school football rankings after the regular season. Yes, it’s Jim Mora’s least favorite time of the year. We’re talking about the playoffs! All eight of the schools in my poll are headed to the postseason. Wilson, Wyomissing, Exeter, Twin Valley, and Schuylkill Valley qualified for the District 3 tournament. Gov. Mifflin, Berks Catholic, and Fleetwood are going to the Eastern Conference Championships. Remember that no matter where your favorite team is ranked, the sun will come out tomorrow!

Wilson’s 7-game winning streak ended at home against state-ranked Manheim Township 49-34. The 15-point margin is the closest game that the Blue Streaks have had this season. The Bulldogs have a bye before traveling to #4 seed Cumberland Valley on November 10th. These two programs have combined for 20 District 3 titles. The only change in my poll is that Wyomissing and Exeter traded places. The Spartans got a quality road victory over state-ranked Lampeter-Strasburg 18-13. Freshman Justice Hardy had two interceptions including a pick-six. Exeter fell to perennial powerhouse Manheim Central 42-14 in Reiffton. The Eagles have dropped two in a row. They travel to #8 seed Hershey on Friday. The (7-3) Trojans are making their first appearance in District’s since 2013. They were (1-9) just two years ago. Exeter will face 230-pound senior Angel Cabrera who has rushed for 1,408 yards and 20 TD. I’ll have updates from Hersheypark Stadium.

Twin Valley shared the Section 3 championship with Ephrata and Garden Spot. The second-seeded Raiders are off this week. They’ll host ELCO or Big Spring in the Class 4A quarterfinals. Gov. Mifflin entertains Pleasant Valley on Friday in the Eastern Conference 5A/6A final. Berks Catholic is looking for its second straight Eastern Conference crown. The Saints battle (6-4) Hamburg on Hawk Hill in the 3A championship. Schuylkill Valley settled for a piece of the Section 5 title with Lancaster Catholic and Annville-Cleona. The Panthers’ 8-game winning streak came to a halt against the Crusaders. Schuylkill Valley squares off with #5 seed Littlestown on Friday in Leesport. The (8-2) Thunderbolts have won five in a row. This is their first appearance in the District 3 playoffs in four years and 26th overall. Littlestown is putting up 34 points a night while allowing 14 per contest. The winner will visit top-seeded Wyomissing on Saturday, November 11th in the Class 3A semifinals. Fleetwood takes a trip to Shamokin on Friday for the Eastern Conference 4A final.

“The Great 8”

1.Wilson (7-3)

2.Wyomissing (9-1)

3.Exeter (8-2)

4.Twin Valley (9-1)

5.Gov. Mifflin (5-5)

6.Berks Catholic (4-6)

7.Schuylkill Valley (8-2)

8.Fleetwood (5-5)